Gift Ideas: Mason jars

I grew up in the country and I've always liked mason jars. Here are a few ideas of ways you can use them for gifts to encourage others.

Journal Jar

This is a great gift  for an adult to make for their grandchildren or for new parents to start for their own children.

• Decorate the jar any way you please.
• Write down memory and thoughts.
• Then cut the questions into strips of paper and place them in the jar.  
• Some question you might answer are:

- What was your favorite thing to do as a child?
- What is one bit of advice you would you impart to your children?
- When was the hardest time of your life and how did you overcome it?
- Tell about a positive experience that still gives you chills today

 
Time Capsule

• Decorate the jar with items that symbolize time (i.e. clocks or calendars)
• Cut one plain 8 X 11 piece of paper or stationary in half vertically.
• Write or print questions that would be fun to look at in about five years. Leave room for responses.
• Roll up the paper and tie with a ribbon.
• Attach a card that gives instructions asking them to put in an item that represents their personality and answer the questions. Next, direct them to bury the jar and not to open it for 5 years or whatever time period you think is best. (If your SP lives in an apartment or some place where “burying” the jar is not an option, then suggest the back of the closet, under the bed or in a safety deposit box.
• Find a way to send a remind of when to open the jar again.

Date Jar

• Decorating a jar with tickets, pictures, or brochures you collected from the date make a nice touch. You can also go online and print off those pictures from the Internet if you didn't happen to take any.
• On slips of paper write memories, inside jokes or conversation topics from the date.
• Variation: this idea can also be done on the outside of a thank you of a card.

Boss's Day Jar

• Tie some nice ribbon around a jar.
• Using slips of paper write down inspiring “leadership” quotes, or ways you appreciate your boss.

Get Well Soon Plant

These jars make great planters. If you have an ivy plant, then you can take a cutting from the plant (be sure and cut below the leaf stub because this is what roots). Next, fill the jar with these leaves, water, and then tie a ribbon around the top.

** Variation: If you have a plant with roots already, fill with the plant, potting soil, and create a rock design to show through the outside the jar.

I'm sure there are other great uses...if you have any more, please share! :)