November 30 National Mason Jar Day #MasonJarDay

November 30th is National Mason Jar Day #MasonJarDay. I remember seeing Mason Jars all over my Dad’s parents home because they had a huge #garden my grandparents would can food from. At times people even used the Mason Jars to drink Sweet Tea out of.

For most of us Mason jars have been popular for decades and mason jars were originally invented with a patented screw top that allowed people to safely can and pickle Fruits and Vegetables grown in the garden.

Today, people use mason jars for drinking glasses, flower vases, and even candle holders! If you have the means and the opportunity today grab your family and friends and join us in celebrating National Mason Jar Day on November 30th by trying an out-of-the-box craft with your mason jars.

Or make desserts like Brownies or Pies in your mason jars. Or use mason jars to pack your lunch making Soups or Salads. Because the Sky’s the limit when celebrating mason jars as long as you think outside the box.

.National Mason Jar Day Activities

1. Take the opportunity today to try a craft that will get you in the Spirit of the holidays by filling a mason jar with white sand to emulate snow, and purchase Trees and characters from a craft store to create a miniature holiday scene. Paint the outside in a snowflake pattern; then, light a candle or put a small string of holiday lights inside the jar to create a festive lantern.
2. Use the hashtag #NationalMasonJarDay on Social Media to show off how you like to use mason jars.
3. You might pack your lunch in mason jars everyday, or perhaps you have flowers planted in a mason jar on your deck. However you use mason jar, share your projects with others. Then ask them to share ways they use mason jars.
4. If you’ve never used a mason jar for its original purpose, National Mason Jar Day is the perfect time to try pickling! Choose your favorite Vegetable and combine Vinegar, Water, Salt, and Sugar in a saucepan over high heat. Once everything has dissolved, pour the brine over the Vegetable and seal tightly.

Crafts You Can Do With Mason Jars

1. Many people bake Cakes and stack them inside a mason jar with Icing and Sprinkles. Which is similar to a layered Parfait.​
2. Fill small mason jars with your favorite Spices, seal them tight, and then hang them sideways on a magnetic board in your kitchen for cute and handy storage.
3. Carefully cut a hole in the lid of a mason jar, fill it with soap, and insert your favorite soap dispenser top.
4. Instead of using a typical martini shaker, try cooling down your next drink by shaking the beverage in a mason jar.​

Why People Love National Mason Jar Day

1. If you’re craving a DIY arts and crafts project, look no further than the mason jar. Websites are overflowing with ideas for painting and styling your mason jars to use for purposes you never thought possible!
2. Large mason jars are most helpful for Pickling or canning bigger Fruits and Vegetables, but have also been made into drink dispensers and piggy banks. Medium mason jars are perfect for drinking purposes and make an easy, anti-spill travel mug. Small mason jars are great for storing and carrying Salad Dressings or small snacks, or arranged with tea lights inside them, as candle holders.
3. Have you ever had to throw away a mason jar? If so, it’s probably only happened once or twice. Mason jars are made of thick glass that does not break easily, and the uniform necks of the jars mean that you can screw on any lid and ring. While the band and the jar can be used over and over again, be sure to replace the small metal lid after each use if you’re Pickling.

Recipe for Christmas Cookies in a Jar

Christmas M&M Cookies in a Jar

• 1 and 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (100g) plain mini or regular size M&Ms
• *gift recipient will add: 10 Tablespoons (145g) softened unsalted butter, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies in a Jar

• 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (21g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (90g) chopped peppermint bark*
• *gift recipient will add: 10 Tablespoons (145g) softened unsalted butter, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

To make the jars: Whichever cookie jar recipe you’re making, combine the first 3 ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt). Now it’s time to layer the ingredients in 32-ounce mason jars. I suggest layering the dry ingredients into the jars in a thoughtful way so each layer stands out. Dark (cocoa powder), light (granulated sugar), dark (brown sugar), light (flour + baking soda + salt), dark (chocolate chips), then the peppermint bark or M&Ms. Use a spoon to layer or, use a funnel so the layers are extra neat. Seal the lids, decorate with ribbon, and gift with free printable tags.

To bake the cookies: In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, egg, and vanilla extract together on high speed until combined. Don’t worry if the egg isn’t fully combining with the butter; it’ll all come together with the dry ingredients. Add all of the jar ingredients and mix on low speed until combined.

 Cookie dough does NOT require chilling. Drop by rounded Tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper or silicone baking mat lined baking sheets, about 3 inches apart. Bake in a 350°F (177°C) oven for about 10 minutes until the edges are set. Each recipe yields about 2 dozen cookies. Cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Cookie dough balls freeze well for up to 3 months. Here’s 

Notes

I like using the Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark squares for the Chocolate Peppermint Cookies.

Mason Jars can be prepped a few months or weeks ahead of time, though after a month the ingredients begin to settle down into one another, so the layers don’t stand out quite as much.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates