Decorate with Mason Jars This Christmas

Mason Jars are a favorite among collectors Though the vast majority of Mason Jars that you come across are appealing to to their owners simply because of how they look, some are actually quite valuable depending upon their age, size or color. Any Thrift store or yard sale you visit usually has a few Mason Jars for sale. The interesting look and shape of the jars makes them not only functional, but also great for holiday decorating. If you are looking for a few unique ways to decorate your home for the holiday season this year, gather a few Mason Jars and let your creativity soar. Here are some fun ways to use these unique and pretty jars in your seasonal decor.

Fill a Mason Jar with Peppermint Candy. This is the simplest of Christmas decorations, but looks so fun and festive. Wash a jar with hot soapy water and then dry with a soft cloth. Fill the jar to the brim with cellophane wrapped peppermint candy. You can keep this candy jar on a shelf in the kitchen or on a desk in the study. Invite holiday guests to help themselves and then refill it when necessary.

Use a Mason Jar as a Seasonal Candle holder. A clean and shiny Mason Jar makes a great holder for holiday candles. Simply fill the jar a third of the way with clean and dry sand. Stick a red or green taper candle firmly into the sand. Two or three of these county style decorations can be grouped in the center of your holiday table for a quick and easy centerpiece.

Fill a Jar with Miniature Christmas Balls. Ball ornaments for the Christmas tree come in a wide range of sizes. A box of the tiniest balls you can find can by layered into a Mason Jar for a very bright and unique holiday decoration. Tiny silver bells can also be used instead of the balls.

Mason Jars Make a Great Vase for Poinsettias. Instead of a bold poinsettia arrangement this year, go a little more simple with only one or two stems displayed in a pretty jar. You can purchase a whole plant or bouquet and then split the flowers among several jars. The advantage to displaying them this way is that you can quickly give a small shelf or corner space a little holiday flair.

Arrange Red Kitchen Utensils in a Mason Jar. A lovely country style decoration for the kitchen is to fill a jar with a red slotted spoon, spatula, baster brush or any other utensils you have on hand. Wrap a length of gingham ribbon around the neck of the jar to finish it off.

You can infuse a little of your own personality and creativity into these decorations by painting the jars red or wrapping the necks with raffia ribbon. Use the lid whenever possible and feel free to decorate that part as well. If the Mason Jars you are working with were purchased at an Estate sale or Thrift store, be sure to research the origin of them before decorating with glue or paint. You certainly don't want to diminish the value of an antique jar that you could resell in the future.