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.

How to Make Homemade Butter from oishiieats.blogspot.com

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 #38 – Pumpkins

Posted on October 21, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Pick of the Patch Fall Mason Jar Gift from shakentogetherlife.com

Here are several great ways to share the “pumpkin” spirit this fall. Do you have memories of your grandfather’s pumpkin patch, or going to the local farmer to find just the perfect pumpkin. Chances are your family has some tradition that revolves around pumpkins either as jack-o-lanterns or pumpkin pies. Any of these ideas gives you the perfect opportunity to share those memories or even make some new ones.

pie in a jar from thenerdswife.com

pumpkin mason jars from the36thavenue.com

mason jar lid pumpkin from thecountrycook.net

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 #37 – Gobble Gobble Globes

Posted on October 16, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Gobble Gobble Globes from ilovetocreate.com

When I saw this idea on Pinterest, I imagined doing it with hand prints from every member of the family. The instructions are geared to kids and certainly this would be a great craft for kids to do at a family gathering. But what if each hand was from a different family member. Maybe your family can’t all be together for the holidays. You could have them send a tracing of their hand so they could be included too. I can also see this with candy in the jar instead of glitter. Candy is always a great addition to a project.

An additional idea would be to share something you are thankful about the person whose hand print it is or a story or favorite memory could be shared. You could even write it on the hand print and then attach it to the “turkey”. What love and sense of family that turkey would then represent. You can find the step by step instructions here.

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.

Key West: update

Posted on October 15, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Well, I don’t have total success to report but I did get some writing in (about half of the days). My parents are coming down on Friday, so I should get some time with my Dad over the next couple of weeks. When he called today he wanted me to find a road map for the 50s. I was glad I could tell him that I already had one. I even had it out on my desk from today’s attempt at writing about his cross-country drive to get to Key West from San Diego.

I also called about setting up a SCUBA class. Not surprising there isn’t anything available for October but they haven’t set up November yet. So they will contact me when they get that arranged. I have mixed feelings about taking the class. It’s just an hour so how bad can it be. But I think it will really be helpful in writing this history, so I’ll do it. Maybe it will be more fun than I expect.

I hope I’ll be reporting more writing progress with next weeks update than I did this week.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #36 – candy corn jars

Posted on October 14, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

candy corn jars from brit.co

Not everyone loves candy corns but I do. Then I love most candy. But candy corns have been around for a long, long time so chances are you have some memories, stories or family tradition associated with candy corns. This idea for decorating jars with balloons surprised me. I have never thought of “wrapping” something with a balloon like this. It looks easy and with very little mess, especially compared to using paint. What great conversation started for childhood memories of candy corns. Of course you will need some candy corns on hand to munch on while you reminisce.

image from brit.co

Brit+Co has an easy step by step tutorial here. Just scroll down a bit to get to it. I wonder how it would work to flip the jars over and stuff a string of white lights in them? I bet they would look awesome by our front door on Halloween night. I might just have to pick up some balloons and try this out.

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 #35 – pancake mix

Posted on October 9, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

image from passionforsavings.com

Jar Gift Idea #34 inspired me to focus on pancakes for idea #35. While not many use sourdough starters in the everyday life, pancakes have a rich tradition in many households. When I think of pancakes, it reminds me of my Dad. I don’t know if he was always the one to cook the pancakes in the morning by the time I was a teenager it had developed into a tradition. Just today when I was talking to my Dad he mentioned needed to go get some more pancake mix. Now days my Dad does all the cooking (my Mom has Parkinson’s) but then it was mostly my Mom other than for pancakes.

image from thepinningmama.com

What are your memories of pancakes and family? Are there some fun stories to share? Stir up a batch of pancake mix and share it along with a memory to someone in your family. Or have a family gathering and serve pancakes (some families eat pancakes for dinner too). Then send each household home with their own jar of pancakes mix. A great way to make new memories and call to mind old ones.

image from cheekykitchen.com

Can’t think of any “pancake” memories? Why not start a new tradition involving pancakes. You can keep it simple or dress it up with fun flavors or fancy toppings. The possibilities are endless.