Does anyone have any ideas for reusing baby food jars? I hate to throw them away, I figure someone has a use for them.
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I read a lot of ThriftyFun stuff about making items out of recycle-ables, and it worries me a little. Isn't there recycling everywhere? Are people really throwing out glass, plastic and cardboard, etc? Check your local garbage drop-off.....recycling is usually FREE or very cheap.
Editor's Note: It is a good point. Although it is a lot easier to recycle now than it was when ThriftyFun was founded, it is still more difficult in many places than others. We look at it finding ways to reuse common things and as free material. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Starchild, making items out of recycle-ables IS recycling! It all counts! Unfortunately, there are not recycling facilities in every area of every state. I live in a very rural, low populated area and we are not offered recycling with our trash pick-up, nor are there any collection bins available to us; so, it is up to me to be a more responsible consumer and not buy unnecessary items.
I first decorate the jars with glass paints (purchased at your local hobby store) and give each one a beautiful pattern. They look great on the window sill with sunlight shining throuh the painted glass.
WE MADE PAPERWEIGHTS FILLING THE JARS WITH COLORED SAND IN LAYERS,ALSO FILLED WITH WATER AND SMALL PLASTIC FISH, OR COLORED MARBLES, A PRETTY ARTIFICIAL FLOWER,AND ALSO A SMALL SNAPSHOT OF A CHILD FITTED INSIDE THEN FILLED WITH SAND.THESE SOLD WELL AT OUR PRESCHOOL FUND RAISER.SEAL THE TOPS WELL AND DECORATE THEM WITH BITS OF RIBBON OR CLOTH OR PAINT THEM. MAYBE THIS HELPS YOU. ALSO AS A GRANDMOTHER MYSELF SEVERAL TIMES OVER,I'VE HELPED THE KIDS MAKE THESE AS GIFTS.
I use mine to store loose herbs. I have found that the spices found in the Mexican section of the grocery store (that come in cellophane) are much cheaper than regular spices and I use the jars to store these in.
I use them for cheap mosquito repellent holders. The huge citronella candles always cost a pretty penny, so I buy a large bag of small citronella candles and put place them inside glass baby food jars, jam jars, etc.
My mum and grandma make lemon butter and other jams etc that they put into small jars to give away as gifts or they donate their jams etc to the church.
I have used baby food jars for mini-snowglobes. you can buy mini ornaments for almost any holiday . glue the ornaments to the inside of the lid, let dry, put water in the jar with a few drops of glycerine, and some glitter. Put the lid back on, turn over, and you have a snowglobe.
they can also be used for sand art and for mini-candle jars, if you make candles. cover the lid with a circle of fabric and yarn or ribbon and you have a nice little gift or favor.
A group of children can make homemade butter in baby food jars. Fill the baby food jar under the rim of the jar with heavy whipping cream; give to the children and have them shake it, taking turns until the whipping cream becomes thick and creamy; refrigerate. You can add a dash of salt to the homemade butter and stir or leave it plain; it is delicious on homemade hot biscuits or homemade bread or even toast! The children love shaking the baby food jars. Make sure they hold the lid down!
I have made votive, or tea light holders with them. Just mix two parts craft glue with 1 part water, paint the jar with the glue mixture, then roll the jar in sparkles, rhinestones, or any decoration you like!
Watch out for a BPA coating on the inside of the jar lids (and other products containing plastic). BPA has been linked to developmental issues in fetuses, infants, children and health issues in adults.
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