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.

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.

image from bettycrocker.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 #34 – sourdough starter

Posted on October 7, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

This post marks my 1000th post since I started blogging. Wow, that kind of blows my mind. Thanks to all my loyal regulars. I really appreciate your hanging in there with me as I figure out just what this blog is all about.

image from tipnut.com

Is someone in your family famous for their sourdough bread and/or pancakes? Wouldn’t it be a great gift to share a start from that family sourdough to other family members? You’d want to include the recipe and instructions for caring for the start of course. What a great opportunity to share a family legacy to the next generation along with stories and memories of good food and company.

While my family has no such tradition that I know of my husband loves sourdough bread. I tried sourdough started a couple of years ago but didn’t keep it up well and finally let it go. I still have some of the original dry started that I order off the internet so I might start it up again sometime. But several months ago a neighbor taught a class on natural yeast, similar to sourdough but you keep it in the fridge. Natural yeast has a rich pioneer heritage and keeping it in the fridge makes it much more forgiving to neglect. I’ve made pancakes, muffins and pizza dough with good success. My first attempt at bread wasn’t good so I’ll have to try that again.

But either sourdough or natural yeast are great for sharing in a jar. You can do it straight or dry out some starter and create a starter kit with the jar included for reconstituting your start. If you don’t have a starter of your own and can’t find a friend with an active starter you can get a dried starter from various sources on the internet or follow the directions to make your own.

image from armommy.com

natural yeast image from foodstoragemoms.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 #33 – hot drinks

Posted on October 2, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

80+ drink mix recipes from Budget101.com

It sure felt cold here today. Summer is a thing of the past (and the distant future) and cold weather has me longing for something warm to drink. I have memories of hot chocolate with graham crackers, hot lemon and honey (for colds). I also remember my Grandma liking Postum. I didn’t think too much of that but it reminds me of her. My Dad likes the hot cider mixes. As an adult I’ve done all kinds of hot concoctions to try to warm myself up. Today I did a lime and honey drink. What memories do you have of warm drinks on cold days? Here are a few ideas for packaging hot drink mixes.

from TheFrugalGirls.com

Homemade Cider Mix from The Blessed Hearth

peppermint hot chocolate mix from dailyleisure.com

salted caramel hot chocolate mix from seededatthetable.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 #32 – pretty storage jars

Posted on September 30, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

pretty storage jars from decoart.com

When I saw these pretty storage jars, I thought it would be a great way to share the knobs from an old family kitchen when it is time to remodel. What a great way to reminded us of happy times in grandma’s kitchen. The jars could also be from someones old collection. An old piece of furniture that has seen better days might also be a good source for the knobs and the memories. Use your imagination there are probably some other places you could get old knobs. Maybe even something from that wasn’t even knobs would work, machinery parts come to mind. These would make a priceless gift. Click on the photo below for a tutorial.

pretty storage jars from decoart.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 #31 – slime

Posted on September 25, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

glitter slime monsters from the36thavenue.com

When my nieces where growing up we had a tradition of getting together for a Halloween party each year. This was partly motivated by one of my sister’s wish to greatly limit the amount of candy her girls ate. But it was lots of fun. I know they would have loved these cute glitter slime monsters. Even though they are grown-up now they might still have fun with them. A family party with a Halloween theme is a great time to share childhood memories of Halloween.

I spent most of my growing-up years in Rexburg where it wasn’t uncommon to have snow for Halloween. You had to plan your costume for warmth as well as looks. The last few years we have done costumes for our puppies in training. We have a Guide Dogs for the Blind Halloween party that includes a costume contest. The best costume we have done so far was the three of us dressed up as M&M. Still have to figure out what we will do for this year with Fable.

glow-in-the-dark slime by apumpkinandaprincess.com

There are lots more slime recipes out there. All would be great with the monster packaging above or just straight in the bottles. The edible slimes sound especially interesting. I hope I find some time to try this out. Click on the image below for a great guide to everything slime.