Paint any kind of design on the pots, then plant plants in them. (ie; Christmas Cactus for Christmas, flowers for Mother's day, etc). OR - use smaller sized pots and paint your design on the pot turned upside-down. Place a tapered candlestick in the hole on the bottom of the pot and you have a darling candleholder.

You could even use a little raffia or something around the bottom of the candlestick to hide the hole.