50 Jar Gifts: idea #48 – snowflake jar

Posted on December 30, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

snowflake jars from YourHomeBasedMom.com

This idea uses tissue paper, scrapbook paper and Mod Podge to dress up any jar. YourHomeBasedMom also used her Cricket cutter to make it easy to cut out the snowflakes. This idea is adaptable to any season or any theme. It would be pretty with a candle inside or even filled with a tasty treat. You could even cut silhouettes of an ancestor and then share that ancestor’s story. Lots of possibility with this idea.

I entered the world of computer controlled personal cutters this month to make my Christmas gifts. I bought my niece’s Silhouette Cameo when she bought the latest model on a great black Friday special. I look forward to playing around with it on future projects.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #47 – Message in a bottle

Posted on December 30, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

thumbdrive in a bottle from Urban Outfitters

I think this thumbdrive would be such a fun way to share a history of historical photos and documents with family. There is no way it would get lost among all the other storage devices kicking around our houses these days. I wonder how hard it would be to recreate this with an inexpensive thumbdrive and small bottle from a craft store. I’ll have to keep this idea in mind for some future project.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #46 – Potato Soup Mix in a Jar

Posted on December 29, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Potato Soup Mix in a Jar from innerchildfun.com

Can you tell it is still cold and snowy around here? The bad part is the storm is moving out and the real cold is on its way. So my brain is stuck on warm and comforting things these days. I also picked up a package of potato flakes at the store recently and made some potato soup for lunch yesterday. This mix is simple enough to have the kids in the family help put it together giving a great opportunity to share memories of working in the kitchen when you were growing up too. Or stories of warm comforting food on a cold winter night.Click on the photo above for the recipe and instructions on whipping up a batch of potato soup mix. It is quick and easy.

I enjoy throwing together a pot of soup from whatever I have on hand. Not sure where that comes from. While my husband doesn’t like “brothy” soups. He does better with thick stews and chowders. I’m guessing that both go back to childhood memories. What associations do you have with soup and your childhood?

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #45 – force bulbs in jelly jars

Posted on December 27, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

paperwhites in jelly jars from domaphile.com

After the holidays are over and the short days and longs nights of winter set in, there is nothing as wonderful as a touch of spring from forcing spring bulbs to bloom inside. For me they represent the hope of spring and that the cold days will eventual give way to warmth and green growing things. Click on the photo above for detailed instructions.

If you don’t have any family stories or ancestors that you can associate with spring and/or bulbs then how about a story of how hope for a better day helped a family member persevere through a trial. I know that for my current trial of getting my hand functional again there are days when it seems like it will never be the same. Part of the problem has been unrealistic expectations. It is going to take more time than I imagined. Just as there maybe some warm days in January but from experience more snow and cold is bound to come. But having a spring bulb on my table reminds me that spring will come and though it might take six months to a year, my hand will be fully functional again.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #44 – Wool Jar Cozy

Posted on December 27, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Red Wool Mug Hug from Wanderlust Small Goods on Etsy.com

Until just before Christmas we have had a surprisingly warm winter. Now we have snow and it sure feels cold. The thought of warm soup or hot chocolate sounds perfect right now and this wool jar cozy made by Wanderlust Small Goods and available on Etsy.com looks like the perfect solution to keep it warm. I love warm drinks and soup too, not just hot chocolate but hot lemon and honey and anything else I can think of. (Not a coffee drinker for religious reasons.) If you are handy with a sewing machine and have an old wool coat this would be a great project and a great opportunity to share memories of the original owner of the coat or of cold winter nights and warm things to eat or drink. No wool? I’m sure that fleece would make a suitable substitute.

I don’t have anything like this from my great-great-grandmother, Mary Taylor, but a cold snow night with a batch of wool jar cozies filled with something warm and comforting would be an effective time to talk about her experiences caught in the bitter cold and snow with the Martin Handcart Company in 1856. I’m guessing your family has a story about the hardships of winter too.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #43 – Snowman Mason Jar

Posted on December 26, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Snowman Mason Jar from polkadotchair.com

Here is another fun and simple idea from the polkadotchair.com. My plan was to post this on Monday but the week got away from me with finishing Christmas gifts for family and friends. Boy I am sure out of practice with getting posts done. But even though I didn’t get this posted before Christmas the snowman theme is good for at least a few more weeks. Does your family have some fun traditions centered around snow or making snowmen? This jar idea would be a great way to share a story or invite your family to a snow themed event. Several years ago when we were in the mountains cutting down our Christmas trees we found a huge snowball that someone had made. We had lots of fun climbing on it and taking some family photos.

Raelyn & Bill sitting on the giant snowball with Shadow & Ginger looking on

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #42 – Elf Mason Jars

Posted on December 20, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

from polkadotchair.com

Here is another fun and simple jar gift idea from Melissa at polkadotchair.com, this time with a Christmas elf theme. I love how just a few simple items come together for a great jar gift. Click on the image above for step by step instructions and a free printable tag.

Maybe since my parents referred to themselves as Santa’s elves, I think of elves and service together. Most of us probably see elves as hard workers who help others. This gift idea could give you the chance to share a tradition of secret service during the holidays or a way to start a new tradition of being Santa’s elves as a family.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #41 – Santa Jar

Posted on December 19, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

from polkadotchair.com

Time is running out and Christmas is almost here so I thought some simple jar gift ideas would be perfect over the next few days. I love this idea.So simple yet effective. Click on the photo above for step by step instructions and a printable for the tag.

This would also be a great time to share your memories and family traditions around Santa. Growing up my parents didn’t do much to encourage a belief in Santa Claus. I remember them saying they were Santa’s helpers. How did your parents handle Santa? Do you do pretty much the same or do you have new traditions?

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #40 – Thank You Bank

Posted on October 28, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Thank You Bank from madewithhappy.com

I’ve come across several ideas for using jars to encourage thinking about things we are thankful for, but this one is my favorite. I think I like it so much because it is simple but fully functional and it won’t clutter up your counter, table or desk. This idea could easily be adapted for all kinds of things, but it would be awesome on Thanksgiving day for everyone to put in at least one thing they are thankful for and then read them around the dinner table. It could become a tradition with the tags put into a scrapbook each year. It would make an interesting record over the years as some things we are thankful for change and others stay the same.

Click on the image above for a step by step tutorial.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #39 – homemade butter

Posted on October 23, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

how to make your own butter from southernplate.com

This is a really simple but fun and interactive gift idea. If you’ve never made butter at home you really have to try this. So amazing to see the transformation. Doing this with family is a great way to teach them about how their ancestors did something basic like making butter. Today we are so far removed from where our food comes from. Click on either of the photos from step by step directions if you need them.