Top Ten Mason Jars Uses

My wedding decor included about 85-90 mason jars. Roughly 75 of those were hanging as lanterns, and others were dispersed around the lobby and reception hall to hold candles and Baby's Breath. One very large mason jar held my bouquet at our sweetheart table. Friends graciously loaned us all their canning jars, but we purchased a good deal ourselves. This has led to discovering creative ways to use mason jars, both pre and post-wedding. Here are my favorites, including some old staples, as well.

1. Green smoothies

I drink at least one, usually two, of these a day. Simply blend 2 1/2 cups water, adding spinach until the level rises to 5 1/2 cups. Add frozen fruit until the level reaches 8 cups. Divide into four jars. Keep for two days.


2. Salads in a jar

Ty and I eat these almost every day. I like to make a whole bunch at one time and keep them in the fridge for the week. They are a quick go-to for packing lunches.


3. Overnight oats

Summer heat hasn't been encouraging me to eat stove-cooked oats, so I tried out overnight cold oats. Refreshing! I keep it simple with 1/2 oats and 1 cup milk. Combine in a jar, shake, and store in the fridge overnight. Sometimes I add cinnamon and PB in the morning. Mmmm. Now if only I had some raisins...

The trio: green smoothie, salad, overnight oats

4. Staining craft!

I was skeptical and thought I'd ruin a handful of jars trying this one out, but it's SO EASY! Have a lot of dye on hand if you prefer a darker stain. (Note: don't use these to store food.)

The jars I stained, waiting to be hung...

5. Hanging lanterns

My friends and I are pros at this now, though, seeing as we made 75 for the wedding. I've decided to make four more with the jars that I stained and use them as dining room decor. My dark blue jars match my fine china.

Here's a glimpse of the reception room with the hanging lanterns (and twinkle lights).

Photo by: K. Linduff

6. Party favors!

I made party favors for the guests at my 4th-of-July-themed bridal brunch using these small jars, Peppermint Patty Pieces, and red ribbon. Super cute and also very easy. (Can't seem to track down a photo of the actual favors at this moment.)

7. Vases

The larger jars work wonderfully as centerpieces! I used a handled jar to hold Baby's Breath in our engagement photos.

Ms. Williams brought me flowers!  Don't think we own a vase. No problem!

Photo by: KT Crabb Photography

8. Bathroom organizers

Saw the mountable version of this on Pinterest, and decided not to make more work for myself (or Ty). We had an extra shelf in the bathroom, so I used our available space. This is so convenient, and I use it every day.

More jars I stained. Considerably less dye made them this color! 

9. Storing alcohol

If you want to open a bottle of beer or ale for cooking and don't need it all, just pour into a mason jar and store away in the fridge. It will stay fresh!


10. Salad dressings.

I use the "baby jars" (same as for my party favors) to store homemade salad dressing. Just shake and pour!


And let's not forget the good ol' fashioned milk glass...

In short, I've been using them for EVERYTHING! I have about 16 jars of varying sizes and styles in my cupboard and about ten more decorative ones around the house. Every single one serves some good purpose in our home!

I want to try this next...