Reusing Old Pasta Sauce Jars

Anyone have a clever ideas for using empty mason jars from pasta sauce. I have so many of them and would like to store something in them.

Linda from NYC

Answers:

Reusing Old Pasta Sauce Jars

I used Classico spaghetti sauce jars to make gifts in a jar this year. The Classico jars work perfectly with the Mason jar lids and tops you can buy, but you can use the regular lids that come on them also.

A friend bought me a gift in a jar set and you could do the same without the kit. Cut a circular piece of material, large enough to drape prettily around the top of the jar; you can use a bowl or bowl lid for this. Fill with recipe ingredients. There are tons of links on the web for Gifts-In-A-Jar recipes. Lay the material on the top of the jar lid; it doesn't matter what kind of lid, and tie a string of raffia, yarn, or ribbon around the bottom of the lid, tying tightly and securing the material around the lid.

Then include or attach the recipe for them, for the wet ingredients, or ingredients they have to add. I think this would also work with Ragu or other jars. I've also made oatmeal/milk bath powders and given them in jars.

Here are a few links I've found.
http://www.christmas-cookies.com/recipes/giftsinjar.html
http://www.budget101.com/jargifts.htm
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/giftsinajar/a/122099a.htm

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/index.shtml
(12/10/2007)

By Chris

Reusing Old Pasta Sauce Jars

Here are some other ideas for uses.
http://lds.about.com/od/enrichmentmeeting/a/bath_sachets.htm
http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/08/01/reuse-this-other-uses-for-spaghetti-sauce-jars/
http://www.craftbits.com/viewCategory.do?categoryID=REC

I think they would also be cool to fill up with candy; like Hershey's Kisses or Reese's or any other candy and decorate jar and give to people at Christmas. Jelly beans would be cool for kids (and also at Easter), and peppermints would be really pretty. (12/10/2007)

By Chris

Reusing Old Pasta Sauce Jars

I use my old jars for a lot of gardening needs, like saving seeds for next year, bits of twine, nails/screws, or anything small that tends to get lost in the garage. I also use them for craft storage. I do stained glass, and these jars are perfect for storing little odds and ends, especially since they're clear and you can group things by size or color and see exactly what's in them.

(That's really rewarding if you're very organized) Around the kitchen, if you ever buy things that come in little baggies, like nuts or chocolate chips, you could always transfer them to jars for airtight storage, instead of using Tupperware. Worst case scenario, you can always take them to a recycling center! (12/11/2007)

By Beth

Reusing Old Pasta Sauce Jars

The lids can be covered with a salt-dough creation (there are many free recipes online) and used for gift or candy jars. I have also started to use mine instead of plastic food storage in the fridge as much as possible because of the possible health concerns with plastics. They can go in the microwave, too. (12/11/2007)

By Ashley

Reusing Old Pasta Sauce Jars

I use jars to store, macaroni, dried beans, popcorn, and noodles. Actually anything that needs to be in an airtight container and will fit in the jar. (12/12/2007)

By Danialle

Reusing Old Pasta Sauce Jars

For what it's worth I use mine to can in. I put up fruits, certain veggies, juices, and also jellies. Or you can attach the lids to the bottom of cabinet with screws, then fill the jars with whatever and screw them in place till needed, saves space too. I use them this way in the kitchen, laundry, bathroom, garage, and gardening shed. They hold so many different things the list is almost endless. (12/12/2007)

By EGRIBBLE

Reusing Old Pasta Sauce Jars

I save lots of them. I have given up storing food in plastic containers and try not to use plastic wrap when I can. I've read quite a bit about the dangers of plastics and how they transfer to the food. This is nice too because I can see what's in the refrigerator. (12/13/2007)

By Dorothy