I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned this here or not, but I really, really love jars. Oh, I’m sorry, it seems that I have spoken of my jar obsession one or forty-eight times.
Doesn’t it just make sense then that we put together some posts and even an eBook featuring Gifts in a Jar? Yes, it really does make perfect sense. We’ve decided, since you are all full of so many wonderful ideas, to make this a group project. Come closer my friends – let me share the details.
During the next two weeks, I’ll be compiling any and all (okay, not necessarily all – see the rules below) of your Gifts in a Jar ideas. (I will give you full credit in the eBook for your idea.) While gifts of food and baking mixes are perfect for this project, I’d also love to see your ideas go beyond food. Do you have ideas for natural bath and body or household products? Know any fun ways to decorate jars or use jars for home decor? Oooh, and does anybody have a great tutorial on making liquid soap dispensers out of jars? I’ve seen those before and they are SO cool!!!
The possiblilites are endless for gifts we can put together in jars. With Christmas coming up, the timing couldn’t be better. (Although, I’d love for this eBook to be full of ideas that can be used any time of the year – not just Christmas.)
You may recall a post in which I shared Teresa’s Gift Certificate in a Jar idea. This, of course, will be featured in the eBook.
Here are the rules and guidelines for Gifts in a Jar submissions:
- You may email me up to three ideas. One idea is fine though, or yes, even two.
- Email your ideas to laura @ heavenlyhomemakers dot com no earlier than yesterday and no later than midnight on Thursday, November 10, 2011. I’ll probably be asleep by that time though, so as long as your idea is in my inbox by the morning of the 11th, you’re good to go.
- So that I can keep your idea email separate from other emails I receive, please type the words Gifts in a Jar in the subject line of your email. You could also type Wow Laura, Your Ponytail is Stunning as the subject line, but be aware that your idea may get lost among all of my other hair related fan mail.
- Each idea submitted must be accompanied by at least one nice picture. Not a picture of your kids, although I’m sure I’d enjoy that too. I am referring to a picture of your finished gift in a jar. An entire picture tutorial is fine too, but only if necessary.
- Some of the ideas sent to me will be posted here on my blog, with credit (and blog link if applicable) given to the sender. I won’t be able to post all of the ideas though because knowing how clever you all are, your Gifts in a Jar ideas would probably take over this website, leaving no room for Gratituesday, Crock Pot Recipes or other important posts in which I share about the times birds fly into my face while I’m putting decorations away in the attic.
- I’d prefer the food gifts and baking mixes to include whole food ingredients – as much as possible. Since these are gifts, I’ll compromise a little on this. But I really shy away from ingredients such as margarine, Crisco and I can’t think of the name of it right now, but it’s that stuff I can’t pronounce. You know what I’m talking about? Yeah, let’s avoid that one.
- Please include thorough instructions with your idea. For example, if you send me a brownie baking mix in a jar idea, please let me know what exactly is to be included in the jar, the size of the jar needed, as well as clear instructions for the recipient so they know how to actually make the brownies after they take your gift home.
- Since we all enjoy saving money, I’d appreciate it if the gift ideas you send cost just a few dollars or less. If that’s not an ambiguous amount, I don’t know what is.
Just as soon as I begin to receive your emails, I will begin to compile your wonderful ideas into a Gifts in a Jar eBook, which will be offered FREE to everyone. This eBook will be ready for release just as soon as I have it finished. If that’s not an ambiguous time frame, I don’t know what is.
Let the creative Gifts in a Jar ideas begin to flow – I’ll be watching for your emails!
I TRULY appreciate that you plan to make the ebook free for everyone. I have seen so many ebooks that I would love to purchase (even ones for just a few dollars), but I usually can’t justify the expense with money being tight. It is wonderful that we can get some ideas from your fellow readers. I can’t wait to see the finished ebook!
great idea for an ebook–thanks!
A collaborative free ebook – fabulous! You are awesome!
I bought a mason jar soap dispenser from a country store, but the lid got all rusty and every time I unscrewed it to refill it, rust went every where so I had to pitch the top, it would be great to know how to make one with a lid that wouldn’t rust……great idea Laura…….
Great idea! I can’t wait to see the ebook!
I LOVE these kinds of books!!! Thanks for offering this to all of us!!!
This is most definitely a book I will want to buy! :-)
Ah, but it will be free, the best price ever! :)
Which is why we love you even more! :)
Thanks to YOU, I am making homemade Vanilla Extract in a jar. And then Lavender infused organic honey in a jar…and Freezer organic strawberry Jam in a jar this Christmas!!
So excited about this e-book! You such a homemaking rockstar!
SUCH a great idea, Laura! I think I have an idea for one……..now if I can just get my mind together enough to do by the deadline;-)
Linda
You can do it!!! :)
I’ll try my best:)
I just saw a tutorial on how to make a foaming soap dispenser out of a mason jar! :) http://commoncentshome.blogspot.com/2010/07/mason-jar-foaming-soap-dispenser.html
Awesome! Since I can’t swipe that idea directly off of someone’s blog, if you would want to create it and take your own pics to send me, that would be great!
Use your dehydrator for meats/veggies and put all the ingredients of soup in layers in a jar including pasta, beans or lentils and seasoning. Attach a card with directions (how much water to add etc.) We’ve made home made hot chocolate. That looks cute in jars with some marshmallows (you can also dehydrate these!) Bet you didn’t know you’d find more use for your dehydrator with this, did ya?
dehydrate marshmallows?? too cool. Do you use the little ones….and how long does it take??
If you could detail each of these and email it to me with pics, that would be great!
I’m so excited about this eBook…I have been thinking a lot about Christmas gifts for friends and extended family lately and having some more ideas (and how-to) would be super helpful! Yay! :)
Love it, love it, love it! This Christmas is going to be so much fun. I will have vanilla, hard lotion, and now gifts in a jar to give out. Thanks for making the eBook free. You totally rock :)
Thank you!! Sounds awesome!!
Can’t wait! Thanks, I hope it is ready soon :)
I was just thinking… You could give one to a guy too… You could fill it with nuts and bolts and a gift card to Lowes or Home Depot and a gift card to Dunkin Donuts…. They might not think it’s “cute” per say, but they will surely appreciate a cup of coffee and some money toward the next project!
A cute twist on this is to put the gift card in the middle of the jar and make them dig for it!
Great idea!!