How to Decorate Mason Jars for Christmas Gifts

Mallett Ashley
4 min readDec 30, 2020

Step 1

1

Create a custom label and wrap it around a jar for a quick project. Cut a 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) tall strip out of paper that’s long enough to wrap around your jar with 1⁄2 to 1 in (1.3 to 2.5 cm) overlap. Write a Christmas greeting on it, then decorate it with Christmas-themed washi tape and stickers. Wrap it around your jar, then overlap the ends in the back and glue them in place.

Add a strip of double-sided tape to the back of the label first so that it doesn’t slide off the jar.

You can also design the label on the computer, or print a template off of the internet instead.

“Merry Christmas” is a popular greeting, but you can also use “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings” instead.

Fill the jar with anything, from spa kits to pet supplies to food.

Step 2

2

Paint the lid a festive color and/or decorate it with ribbon. Remove the lid from a mason jar, spray paint it a festive color, then let the paint dry. Choose a festive ribbon the same width as the jar lid, then hot glue it around the lid, overlapping the ends by 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm).

Red, green, or white are classic colors, but you can use others too. Blue is perfect for a Winter Wonderland theme, while silver or gold will look more elegant.

If you can’t find ribbon, use washi tape instead! It comes in all sorts of colors and patterns, and you can find it in the scrapbooking section of a craft store.

You can do one or the other, or even both! Leaving the lid unpainted will give you a rustic touch.

The ribbon needs to cover the sides on the jar lid. If it’s too wide, it will stick out over the top edge of the jar, but it it’s too narrow, you’ll see the sides of the lid.

Step 3

3

Wrap twine around a jar lid, then add a jingle bell and holly leaves. Cut 1 to 2 holly leaves out of green felt or paper, punch a hole near the stem, then thread them onto a piece of twine. Add a red jingle bell to the twine, then wrap it around the lid of a mason jar. Tie the twine into a bow, then slide the jingle bell and leaves towards the bow.

If you’re using paper, crease the leaves in half lengthwise for a more realistic touch.

Holly leaves look like pointed ovals or almonds with scalloped edges.

Step 4

4

Make a waterless snow globe, then tuck a gift card into it. Hot glue a bottlebrush Christmas tree to the inside of a mason jar lid. Complete the scene with a mini Christmas figurine and some polyester stuffing for snow. Tuck a gift card into the scene, then screw the jar on.

Paint the jar lid a festive color, such as red, green, or white.

Don’t add glitter to the jar. You won’t be able to fill it with water, so the glitter won’t be visible.

If you can’t get stuffing, pull apart a cotton ball, and use that instead.

Step 5

5

Decorate the center of the jar to look like a reindeer. Cut a 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) wide strip of brown paper. Wrap and glue it around the middle of the jar, then glue 2 large googly eyes in the center. Add a red or black pompom for the nose. Finally, wrap brown pipe cleaners around the top of the jar, then bend them into antler shapes.

If you don’t have brown paper, paint the strip instead using brown acrylic paint.

The length of the strip will depend on the size of the jar. Make it long enough so that you can overlap the ends by 1⁄2 to 1 in (1.3 to 2.5 cm).

Fill the jar with any assortment of small gifts, such as candy, cat toys, spa items, etc.

Step 6

6

Make a snowman by painting a jar white, then adding 3 black buttons. Paint the outside of the jar with white spray paint. Let it dry, then glue 3 black buttons down the middle like coal on a snowman. Wrap and tie a piece if Christmas ribbon around the neck of the jar like a scarf.

Hot glue will work the best because it dries fast. Industrial-strength glue is another option if you don’t mind the couple-hour-long wait.

Use burlap ribbon for a rustic touch, or satin ribbon for a fancier look. Choose colors like red, white, or green.

Fill the jar with Christmas chocolates, candy cane, or other gifts, such as cat toys, dog treats, or spa items.

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Mallett Ashley

Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.