Whether it’s for gifts or storage, glass jars serve a multitude of practical purposes. Decorate a jar to be a fun chalkboard storage container, or turn it into a savings jar where kids can watch their money grow.
Create a simple DIY terrarium by adding soil and humidity-loving plants to a glass jar. This is a great way to green up your home while giving you a low-maintenance, beautiful display.
Gifts
Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly DIY gifts or crowd-pleasing ideas to fill Secret Santa or White Elephant boxes, these gift-in-jar ideas are sure to please. They require few supplies and a creative eye for curation. You can even use jars from your pantry for these projects.
Fill a jar with sea glass, small shells, tiny acorns or colorful craft sand (some beaches have natural olivine crystals) for a fun beach-themed gift. Or create a sentimental gift with layers of buttons, beads and other treasures found in your crafting stash. Then add a note about the best memory you have with that person.
Create a jar of soothing bath essentials for the stressed out friend or loved one in your life. The jar will be a cozy way to relax in the tub, and they’ll have a great time unwrapping all the goodies inside. You can also give them a set of card or board games for some fun and relaxation, like this jar from Everything Etched AZ.
Crafts
Embrace sustainability and a creative hobby at the same time by repurposing glass bottles and jars. This is an ideal craft for kids to enjoy, and the finished projects can become a unique gift.
Give your glass jars an extra special look by adding ribbons and twine. You can even paint them a color to match your home decor. For a simple, stylish DIY project, try wrapping a bottle with jute twine for a quick and easy decoration.
Repurpose glass jars to store homemade deodorant, makeup brushes, soap and other toiletries. These jars are a great way to reduce your waste and keep your supplies organized in etched glass mirror frame the bathroom.
Replace single-use plastic marinating bags with repurposed glass jars to make cooking more sustainable. The clear glass allows you to easily see the contents inside, and you can customize them with labels for additional organization.
Storage
Whether you’re running a zero-waste kitchen or just trying to be a little more organized, jars can be practical and aesthetically pleasing storage solutions. Glass jars are the ideal pantry vessels for storing grains, pasta, beans and spices, as well as canned foods like tomatoes, soups, jams and salsas. They’re also freezer-safe, making them a great way to store homemade freezer meals and leftovers. Just be sure to leave enough headspace for expansion, and label them with contents and dates for easy identification and minimizing food waste.
Wide-mouth jars without lids make a great container for holding small craft supplies like beads, buttons, thread and ribbon spools. They also work well for sorting and storing office supplies, helping to transform a chaotic desk or junk drawer into a clean, tidy workspace. The European Green Dot system, which lets you return used glass bottles to the manufacturer, is a great idea that would probably have a harder time in our market economy, but is still showing some success despite strong pushback from certain special interests.
Organization
Jars are a staple in any zero-waste kitchen, offering an alternative to plastic containers that can leach harmful chemicals into your food. Glass is non-toxic, durable and easy to clean. They can be used for storing everything from grains and beans to spices, pasta, coffee, tea and more in the pantry or fridge. Their airtight seals also keep pantry and refrigerator items fresh for longer, reducing food waste.
Small glass jars can also be used to store toiletries like cotton balls, q-tips and makeup brushes. You can even use them as a simple plant propagation container, simply fill with water and place your new plants in.
Sort pantry staples by category before transferring them into jars to ensure you don't mix up similar items and for a more organized look. Consider displaying the jars in your pantry or refrigerator for an aesthetically pleasing display. A bin or a drawer that is designed specifically for jars can make it easier to organize and store your jars.
