DIY Fun Treat Jars for Easter and Holidays
Turn old jars into delightful treat holders that are perfect for any occasion, from festive holidays to everyday gifts. These jars are not only a fun craft but also a thoughtful way to share treats with friends and family. They’re both simple to make and incredibly versatile, letting your creativity shine.
Creating these jars is simple, and you don’t need to be an expert crafter. All it takes is some imagination, clay or decorations, and a little time. The best part? You can include kids in this fun project, making it an activity that brings everyone together.
With just a few materials—like clean jars, some paint, clay, cookie cutters, and colorful decorations—you can design each jar uniquely. Whether you’re adding bunnies for Easter, spooky touches for Halloween, or festive touches for Christmas, you can tailor these jars to any season. Fill them with candies, small trinkets, or even homemade treats for a personal touch.
Why They’re Special:
- Multi-use Gifts: Great for holidays, birthdays, or quick thank-you presents.
- Customizable: Paint them, add clay decorations, sprinkle on glitter, or tie a bow for extra style.
- Eco-Friendly: Upcycle jars you already own, like pickle jars or salsa jars, for a sustainable craft.
- Budget-Friendly: Crafting something meaningful doesn’t have to cost a lot.
How You Can Use Them:
- As table decor for parties or holidays.
- As charming, reusable candy containers.
- As personalized gifts for teachers, friends, or coworkers.
Credit JoAnn Barrandey
Required Materials:
- Empty jars (such as cheese dip or salsa jars)
- Spray paint for jar lids (any color of choice)
- Cookie cutters in assorted sizes (preferably a seasonal set)
- Air-dry clay (used for creating decorations; recommended brand: U Bazooka Clay)
- Marshmallow modeling clay (optional for decoration)
- Toothpicks for crafting small items
- Slick paint for detailing
- Baking rack (for drying clay)
- Glue gun with glue sticks
- Decorative bows and ribbon
- Craft sprinkles (Easter-themed mix suggested)
- Shredded paper for filling (optional)
- Candy for filling jars (robin eggs or anything seasonal)
- Small embellishments (e.g., plastic Easter chicks, foam stickers, tiny eggs, etc.)
- Small plunger cutters for clay designs and details
- Glitter (optional for added sparkle)
- Spackle (optional decorating material)
Important Notes:
- Repurposing empty jars: Use clean, recycled glass jars to save on costs and reduce waste.
- Customizable designs: These treat jars can be customized for any seasonal or holiday theme (Easter, Halloween, Christmas, etc.).
- Drying clay decorations: Place crafted clay items on a baking rack and let them dry outside. Hot weather can speed up the drying process.
- Mistakes are fixable: If you make a mistake while working on the design, simply clean it off with a wipe and start again.
- Budget-friendly supplies: Joanne mentions finding affordable crafting supplies at stores like Dollar Tree and Pop Shelf.
- Details are key: Use ribbons, bows, sprinkles, and glitter to enhance the jars’ appearance.
Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Jar Lids
- Clean the lids thoroughly and allow them to dry.
- Spray paint the lids in a color of your choice.
- Example: Joanne uses brightly colored lids to match the Easter theme.
- Set them aside to dry completely.
Step 2: Roll and Cut Clay Decorations
- Roll out air-dry clay on a flat surface.
- Use cookie cutters to shape the clay into seasonal designs (e.g., bunny ears, chicks).
- Example: Joanne used a set of four cookie cutters from Pop Shelf to create different sizes and types of decorations.
- Create additional details:
- Use plunger cutters to punch out shapes like flowers or buttons.
- Add layers of clay for depth (e.g., bunny ears or feet).
- Allow the clay items to dry on a baking rack (preferably outside for quicker drying).
Step 3: Assemble Decorations
- Start with the primary figure:
- Example: Joanne made a clay bunny with pink inner ears and detailed feet using Slick paint.
- Use a toothpick to attach smaller clay pieces securely.
- Glue embellishments:
- Attach lollipops, sprinkles, or mini eggs to the bunny or chick figures.
- Joanne emphasizes creativity: customize decorations to fit the jar’s theme.
- Add glitter or spackle for extra detail if desired.
Step 4: Attach Decorations to Jar Lids
- Once the lids are dry, glue the clay decorations onto the lids.
- Example: Joanne placed the bunny and chick at the center and added decorative lollipop sticks and eggs around the edges.
- Add bows or ribbons for added charm:
- Joanne glued a colorful ribbon at the front of one jar to enhance the design.
Step 5: Fill the Jar
- Add shredded paper to the bottom of the jar for a decorative base.
- Fill the jar with candy, such as robin eggs or chocolates.
- Ensure candies complement the treat jar’s theme (e.g., pastel-colored candies for Easter).
Step 6: Final Touches
- Check the alignment of decorations and candy to ensure the jar looks visually appealing.
- Optionally attach a handmade tag for gifting or personalization.
- Seal the jar with the lid and admire your completed treat jar!
Tip: Customizing for Other Seasons
- For Halloween, use orange and black clay to create pumpkins or ghosts.
- For Christmas, red and green themes can be used to create reindeer, Gingy cookies, or snowflakes.
- Joanne highlighted using cookie cutters creatively for multiseasonal crafting ideas.
