14 Mason Jar Crafts You Need This Christmas

Image via Mason Jar Crafts Love

Let’s take a vote—who thinks John Landis Mason intended for his eponymously named glass jars to be used as snow globes, candle lanterns, or sewing kits? While food preservation was his purpose when he patented the screw-lid jar in 1858, these sturdy and useful glass jars have come to be many a DIYers’ best friend. (There are even entire blogs dedicated to Mason jar craft ideas.)

While a few of us have been known to pour lemonade over ice in one of these babies, Mason jars also bring to mind warmth, coziness, and thoughts of persevering through winter.

Here are 14 Christmas gift and decor ideas that use our dear old friend—the Mason jar.

GIFTS

1. Holly Jolly Jar

You’ll just have to keep refilling this elf Mason jar with green candies all month long so you can keep this cute hostess gift on display.

Image via Polkadot Chair.

2. Sew Cute!

Create a little pillow-top on the flat metal lid of a Mason jar to make a pin cushion. For those of us with just a few spools and needles lying around (meaning, no elaborate sewing room), this is a handy-dandy little container. (And a cheap and easy gift!)

Image via Pop Sugar.

3. Ah Sugar, Sugar Scrub

Make a batch of this sugar scrub for your colleagues, kids’ teachers, or your book club pals this holiday season.

Image via Mom 4 Real.

4. Coal Cookies

Perhaps more suitable for your son than for a hostess, this jar of coal cookies might just shame the recipient into overeating.

Image via Make Bake Celebrate

5. Sir Mix-a-Lot

Use the tag on this Mason jar cookie mix to give the baking instructions. Add a touch of holiday flavor with a spring of greenery.

Image via Taste of Home

6. Cute Cocktail

Make a self-service bar at your holiday party with these mix-your-own drink kits!

Image via Something Turquoise

DECOR

7. Christmas Candle

These classic Mason jar candle holders add a warm glow to a cold night. (FYI…that snowy texture on the jar’s surface is epsom salt! Even the “crumbs” on the wood surface make it look like authentic snow.)

Image via Deco Art

8. Sparkle and Shine

For a more modern take on the Mason jar candle craft, these glittered votive holders sparkle in more ways than one. Just use double-stick tape and glitter, and voila!

Image via Something Turquoise

9. Candy Cane Canning Wreath

Extra Mason jar metal screw bands laying around? Paint them red and white and make this cute, shabby-chic candy-cane wreath.

Image via Twelve O Eight

10. Let It Snow!

You can’t say Christmas and Mason jars in the same sentence without touching upon the DiY snow globe! Find a great tutorial here.

Image via Anyone Can Decorate

11. The Midas Touch

When you can’t decide between glitter and metallic paint, go for both! These vases will look great for the holidays, rainy days, or any days!

Image via Country Living.

12. Hanging Out

Turn a gaggle of Mason jars into lanterns with battery-powered lights and wire. Hang inside or out for an unexpected holiday display.

Image via Home Talk.

13. Picture Perfect

Mason jars have become a cool, 3D way to display family photos. Imagine a mantle full of these, surrounded by some greenery, and candles. You’re feelin’ it, ight?

Image via Home Talk

14. Frosty the Snowman

Is it a drink? is it a candle? Is it a vase? Yes, it’s all three! Wrap a Mason jar in yarn to give it a cozy feel.

Image via Kristi Murphy