by Jeanni Ritchie
November 30 is National Mason Jar Day, a day meant to honor the invention of the versatile glass container with a screw-on lid that revolutionized food preservation and storage.
But a Mason jar is about so much more than canning and storing peaches from your orchard or stocking up on homemade salsa.
Many like to drink from Mason jars, from sweet tea to moonshine. Others, like my dad, store sorted out washers and nails and various screws in his garage.
But I love a great Mason jar gift, especially at Christmas.
When my kids were younger we used to decorate the jars with paint markers and stickers and fill them with peppermints. We’d attach homemade Christmas cards to the bright red ribbons we’d tie around the lids and deliver them to residents of nursing homes.
I’ve also created food gifts from Mason jars. Layered dry ingredients for attached cookie and cocoa recipes. Seasoned soup ingredients that only needed water for a warm winter meal. No-bake parfaits and pies. Caramel corn treats and s’mores mixes. Wrapped candy smorgasbord and unwrapped M&M medleys. The jar is versatile and the clear glass makes a beautiful presentation.
But my favorite Mason jar gift is Spa in a Jar. Layering bath salts infused with the recipient’s favorite fragrance oils, filling a jar with self-care items like sleep masks, exfoliating gloves, and lip balms, making homemade bubble bath…the opportunities are customizable according to your budget.
So are the sizes of the jars! With varying sizes to fill, choose what works best for you. A cute card, some paint pens or personalized stickers, and ribbon will dress up any jar.
If your Christmas shop-for list is bigger than your gift-buying budget, consider using Mason jars to create unique gifts. After all, it’s truly the thought that counts!
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
