Eco-Friendly Craft Ideas: How to Reuse Glass Baby Food Jars

Empty glass baby food jars may seem insignificant enough to toss into recycling, but they can actually serve a very useful purpose - as containers that you can fill with gifts for loved ones. The clear glass allows for visually appealing packaging, especially if the gift inside is brightly colored. With your baby food jars, embellishments and small gifts, you can create eco-friendly and inexpensive presents for your loved ones.

Dry Herbs

Someone that likes to cook may enjoy receiving fresh dried herbs such as bay leaves, oregano, dill or rosemary. It often takes only a few weeks or less to dry the herbs depending on the method you use. After they're ready, put one type in each baby food jar and label them. Cut a piece of fabric that's small enough to cover the outside of the lid, then use fabric glue to attach it on.

Candle Jars

Fill each jar 25 percent of the way with unused, tiny rocks. One option is to use aquarium gravel, which comes in a variety of colors from black to hot pink; you can also use small glass rocks. Insert one tea light candle per baby food jar - as you place it in, push it down a little into the rocks so it won't move around. Attach patterned paper or fabric to the outside of the lid, then wrap a thin ribbon around the lid and tie it into a bow.

Mini Chocolate Candies

Purchase a candy mold that consists of very small circles, half circles or shapes. Melt chocolate, pour it into the mold, let it cool for a few moments then pop it into the freezer. After the chocolates harden, pop them out and put them into the baby food jars . Cover the outside of the lid with dark brown craft paper, then wrap a light colored ribbon around the lid and tie it into a bow.

Craft Supplies

If one of your loved ones is a crafter, fill several baby food jars with one type of craft material in each. For example, put a variety of buttons in one, in another put small die cuts and in another put beads. Cover the outside of the lid with a solid color paper, then glue one craft item on it's corresponding jar lid, such as a single button on the lid of the button jar.

Usually, soaking the baby food jars in hot water for awhile, then using steel wool and some dish soap will be enough to remove the labels and adhesive.

Sources:

Fabulous Foods- "All About Chocolate"

National Center for Home Food Preservation- "Drying Herbs"