​Christmas presents in glass jars

However you feel about the annual 'festive season creep', most crafters and home gift-makers are usually keen to begin their Christmas projects at this time of year - and it makes sense to secure your supplies as early as possible to give yourself plenty of time to plan and craft with joyful holiday abandon!

We've noticed a real rise in interest in handmade gifts at Wares of Knutsford and our customers have told us that they're keen to buy glass jars - such as Mason jars - and decorative supplies in order to make thoughtful homemade gifts for their loved ones this year.

It's a topic that our team is naturally interested in and we think it's driven by a lot of factors: environmental concern and a desire to reduce plastic waste, more time being spent at home and a resurgence in crafts after the pandemic.

So why not have fun making some beautiful Christmas presents in jars this year? Regardless of your budget and skills level, you will find something that you can make that your friends and family will love, and have a lot of fun in the process. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Chilli jam
Make good use of those chillis on the windowsill and whizz up an easy batch of chilli jam. It goes beautifully with Boxing Day hams and is a real treat for any foodie. Even better, you can make these jams well in advance so that you avoid a last-minute gift panic, or have an extra two or three to hand for any last-minute gifts you may have forgotten to organise! Find an easy recipe here, and as with all jams and jellies, remember to sterilise your jars first: https://www.clairekcreations.com/chili-jam/

A cookie mix in a jar
Mason jars are ideal for this fun gift which kids will love. Gather the ingredients to make something simple, such as cookies or fairy cakes, and layer them up in Mason jars so that they look pretty. Layers of flour, sugar, nuts, raisins and cocoa will look completely enticing, especially with a handwritten label and instructions, plus a ribbon around the neck of your jar. Find inspiration here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/843/holidays-and-events/christmas/food-gifts/cookie-mix-in-a-jar/

Granola in glass jars
this is a very easy and fun gift to make and it's also ideal for customising to different dietary requirements and tastes. For example, you can add extra nuts, throw in choc-chips for an indulgent blend, or bypass the nuts and wheat altogether and go for an allergy-free option. Here are some great ideas to get you started: https://keeperofthehome.org/healthy-homemade-granola-gifts-in-a-jar/

Snowglobes
Mason jars with screwtop lids also make wonderful homes for a handmade snowglobe. You need decorations, glitter, water and other basic additions that you can find around the home. There are also a lot of tutorials online and this could be a fun project to make with kids too: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Snow-Globe-With-a-Jar

Beauty products
Pamper hard-working friends and family by making your own beauty products and presented them in eco-friendly glass jars of different sizes. There are so many different beauty product recipes to try, such as simple salves using beeswax or shea butter, plus essential oils and glycerin. Why not try to make a relaxing lavender body butter? If you make a large batch and buy several jars, you can easily tick off a few gifts in one go - and all for less cost than you'd pay in the shops: https://thefrugalgirls.com/2016/08/lavender-body-butter-recipe.html

Bath salts
Equally, you can make your own coloured bath salts using Epsom salts and natural food dyes. Or buy wide-lipped glass jars and fill them with homemade bath fizzers for a fun gift that can be completely customised to the recipient - or to the materials that you have on hand! https://www.thoughtco.com/making-scented-and-colored-bath-salts-602198

Be creative
The beauty of these Christmas presents in jars is that you can be as creative as you want and fill your jars with anything that springs to mind - from cookies and brownies to sparkling lights and bauble decorations.

Presentation is key to making these gifts look as lovely as possible so take the time to dress your jars with pretty ribbons and hand-written notes, and consider placing them into recyclable brown paper bags decorated with coloured stamps or bright twine for a natural, tactile finish.

You'll find a huge range of Mason jars and other glass jars at Wares of Knutsford, along with other decorative and craft accessories and plenty of inspiration for Christmas gifts and decorations. Discover our product range, excellent pricing, quick delivery and superb customer service. If you have any questions our team is on hand during working hours to assist you, and our staff will always be happy to help. Why not sign up for our newsletter too and follow us on social media for all of the latest news, product releases, competitions and special offers as we approach the festive season!