Nontraditional Gifts in a Jar

Traditionally gifts in a jar are for baking or food items. This craft is a take on that tradition but using objects instead. A collection if you will.

A great idea for a homemade gift to be given in a jar. Base your idea on a theme. Ideas are listed below, these are only a few examples so you get the idea.

For a teacher - create an office in a jar - this is the example in the photograph associated with this article.

• Post it notes
• Pencils
• Pens
• Chalk
• Rubber bands
• Stickers
• Stamps
• Markers
• Dry erase
• Small package of tissues

For a college student

• A roll of quarters
• High lighter
• Pencils
• Pens
• Cough drops
• No doze
• Favorite candy
• Chewing gum

For someone who likes to cook

• Recipe cards
• Freezer pen
• Freezable stickers
• Coupons
• Measuring spoons
• Hot pad

Using a mason type jar for the container affords you a metal lid that will work with magnets. Using a few small glass type rocks or marbles you can create personalized magnets. Strong glue such as Uhu twist and glue can be used to adhere the magnet as well as the image for the magnet.

For the teacher's magnets, we used reward stickers as the images. Try to find and utilize images associated with your theme. To create the magnets, place a decorative paper or fabric on the glass marble and trim to the size of the glass. For a few ideas, the image paper could come from a magazine, wrapping paper or scrapbooking. Glue the image side of the paper to the flat side of the marble. Then glue the magnet to the back side of the image. Allow the entire piece time to dry.

To decorate the mason type jar, find a decorative paper or fabric and trim to the size of the inner flat disk of the lid. This cutting does not need to be perfect since it will be covered with the outer rim. The paper or fabric does not need to be glued in place either since the outer edge of the lid will hold it in place.

Fill the jar with your collected items.

Place the decorated lid on the jar.

Once the magnets are dry, they can be placed on the top of the lid and the magnets will hold them in place.

Your gift is now ready to give.

The Uhu glue, glass beads and magnets were provided free of charge from Saunders.

Uhu glue can be found at http://www.gluewithuhu.com