This Gift In A Jar is filled with 52 Things making it A Year In A Jar. It’s a handmade gift idea for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Father’s Day or Mother’s Day.
I love Valentine’s Day because I think it is a great reminder for us to really think about those we love. But I don’t like that it lasts only 1 day…because love lasts the whole year!
So, that got me thinking of a way to keep us reminded of our love throughout the year. Want to know what I am giving Brian for Valentine’s Day? A year of reasons why I love him. Yep, 52 reasons (I will refill it next year with more reasons).
I put them all in a jar and he is to open one a week. Don’t you think these would be fun for a bride and groom to give each other as wedding gifts?
Or how about a shower gift that will become 52 Things from the first year of a babies life? It would be like a Baby Book In A Jar! Or what about giving a jar to your mom on Mother’s Day?
They are easy and super cheap to make. Cut out 52 rectangles of kraft paper (I picked mine up at the dollar store) about 2 inches by 4 inches each.
If you are giving this as a gift for someone else to complete such as a bride-to-be or new mother, put the kraft paper, baker’s twine and a couple of colored pencils in a glass mason jar. Be sure to add instructions as to what is to be done with the gift!
If you are the one giving the gift, fill out 52 things on the pieces of kraft paper. Mine are 52 Things I Love About You. Yours could be 52 memories or 52 wishes or whatever you want!
Cut 52 – 6 inch pieces of baker’s twine. Roll up each piece of kraft paper. I rolled mine around the colored pencil I used for writing. Tie a piece of baker’s twine around each roll.
Randomly toss the rolled up notes into the mason jar and put the lid on. I wound some additional baker’s twine around the mason jar and added a tag that says 52.
So, what kind of 52 Things jar are you going to make?
52 Reasons I Miss You
52 Memories of Us
52 Ways You Are A Great Friend
First 52 Weeks of Your Life
52 Reasons You Are A Fantastic Kid
52 Things To Photograph
52 Ways You Are The World’s BEST Mother/Father
52 Things To do This Year
52 Date Ideas
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Some of you have be complaining 😉 about not being able to think of 52 things so I am going to give you some ideas/topics for the “52 Reasons I Love You” jar to get you started: {I’m keeping it G Rated}
Personality Traits You Love: Sense of humor, Outgoing, Quiet, People Person, Reserved, Helpful, Thoughtful, Cooperative, Stable, Impulsive, Organized, Disciplined, Random, Spontaneous, Unique, Sympathetic, Resourceful, Committed, Loving, Sociable, Talkative, Positive, Sarcastic, Curious, Adventurous, Emotional, Energetic, Calm, Laid Back, Focused, Driven, Unconventional, Straightforward, Subtle, Enthusiastic, Honest, Decent, Trustworthy, Generous, Supportive
Physical Traits You Love {Color, Texture, Size, Etc}: Eyes, Hair, Lips, Smile, Eyelashes, Hands, Fingers, Legs, Feet, Ears, Height, Petite, Muscles, Shoulders, Skin, Scar, Mole
I Love The Way You _____: Play With Our Kids, Make Breakfast In Bed, Kiss Me Goodbye, Get Up With The Kids In The Night, Kiss Me Hello, Remember My Birthday, Complete My Sentences, Know What I Am Thinking, Laugh, Sneeze, Care About Your Health, Love To Learn, Make Me Laugh
You Are An Awesome ______: Person, Husband, Wife, Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, Brother, Sister, Lover, Leader, Cook, Photographer, Provider, Artist, Singer, Friend, Uncle, Aunt, Mechanic,Techie, Runner, Teacher, Listener
You Are My _____: Best Friend, One and Only, Sunshine, Anchor, Helpmate, Forever and Always, Favorite, World, Bliss, Strength, Comfort, Star, Soul Mate, One in 6 Billion, Everything, Happy, Home, Family, Nest, Buddy, Number One, Inspiration, Match, High, Type, Heart, Dream Come True
You Are _____: Beautiful, Handsome, Gorgeous, Pretty, Special, Kind, Important, You, Mine, Amazing, Larger Than Life, Fascinating, Loved, Fabulous, Fantastic, Adored, Brave, Breathtaking, Incredible, The Wind Beneath My Wings, Always On My Mind, Everything I Ever Dreamed Of, A Miracle, A God Send, A Gift, The Icing On My Cake, Cream In My Coffee
Here are a few more Gift In A Jar ideas to love:
nicola says
I am inspired by the’in a jar’ concept. I am going to do it for ‘a year in a jar” clever clever clever….totally love it
Tonia says
Fantastic! Have fun with it! ~Tonia
Lochlyn Casey says
I loved this idea so much and did it for Mother’s Day. My mom will definitely love it!
Jessica says
I love this idea. I am making a “52 weeks of positive thoughts and actions” jar. I’m making it for a friend who is going through a lot of stress right now. I used color paper for the notes in her favorite sports teams colors and I’m going to paint their logo on the jar for her. Thanks for giving an idea to run with!
Robert says
This idea has caused me a great deal of stress in the last week. My fiance’ tasked me with doing this for her and has told me that it better be from the heart. All she has talked about in the week since tasking me is how much she is looking forward to what I have done. I can think of 52 reasons why I should not do this, I hate this!
Sherry says
Robert,
What a shame to be “forced” to do this. If you really care about her it should not be hard to think of 52 wonderful things you love about her, or 52 things to do on a date her. But it should have been something YOU wanted to do, not forced. Makes things feel a bit different or even “scary” that you won’t say 52 things SHE would want to hear from you. I will bet its safe to say you are not with her anymore?? LOL
Denny says
I just made this for my husband. I did: Fun Things for Us to Do Together, Things I love about you, Silly Things We Like, and Fun Memories of Us Together – 12-14 of each for 52 total. I color-coded each category.
Sally says
Hi! I’m doing this lovely gift for my boyfriend! Can I ask you the mason jar’s measures?
Thank you so much!
Tonia says
Hi Sally,
I used the large quart sized (32 oz) jar. Best of luck!
~Tonia
Sheena says
Great idea and I decided to do “52 things I love about you” thinking that I would have to really commit to thinking hard about things to say. Well once I began, I was on a roll and within half an hour had more than 52 things to say to my hubby of 32 years of marriage.
Tonia, thank you, this is an awesome project, simple but I think even my unromantic husband is going to get a kick out of this!!!
Light, love and peace
Sheena
South Africa
Tonia says
You are very welcome! I’m so happy you are making this for him and I hope he loves it.
Sarah says
Could you please give some ideas for 52 things a year for busy parents ? I love this idea, it will be an awesome christmas present !
Geri says
Exactly what I was looking for. I’m going to do this and send to my best friends and close cousins. Thanks for sharing! I really love your website 🙂
Jill says
This is great! I am doing the 52 Reasons You Are a Great Kid for my daughter. She is a 10 yr old 5th grader and going through a rough time with puberty and being a girl-this is just what she needs. She loves when I put little notes in her lunchbox or sneak in her backpack. She also hates Mondays-so this will most definitely put a smile on her face!
Tonia says
What an awesome idea! It will give her something to look forward to!
Becca says
I think I’m going to do this for a year’s worth of simple dates, 52 date ideas for my fiance and myself, things like go out for coffee, or have an at home movie night. I think I’ll start it on the just after the new year. This can be used for so many things 🙂
Sally says
I love your ideas, how can i do one for my turning 21 years old son?
Tonia says
Thanks Sally! A 21 year old is just starting out on living their own life. I would fill the jar with things that either look forward or things that look back. Here’s a few ideas:
52 Memories (ie When you were 5, you fell asleep in the dentist’s chair.)
52 Things I Hope For You (ie My wish for you is that life becomes all you want it to be.)
52 Lessons For Life (ie Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.)
52 Simple Life Hacks (ie Keep cookies fresh by storing them with fresh bread.)
Michelle says
i amdoing this right now for my best friend for her birthday. I just did 52 memories of us. it was so much fun to relieve the happy and sometimes sad moments of out 40 plus years of friendship.
Tonia says
That is so sweet, Michelle! Your friend is going to be touched. I am going to have to do this for my friends too!
Sonja says
I’m making one right this moment. I’m 21 years old and making “52 Memories of us” for my 20 year old sister 🙂 I’m Finnish by the way, I love how versatile your website is and doesn’t require a crafter to live in a certain country to have the necessary items available.
I’ve had such a blast reading old diaries, talking to my parents and grandparents about us.
Such a great idea, a gift can’t get any more personal than this!
Tonia says
Oh Sonja! That is so precious. She is going to love it. Even though my husband finished unwrapping all of his notes, he still has the jar with all of the notes on his dresser in our bedroom. He really appreciated it even though I never did end up refilling the jar. And btw, I am 75% Finnish! 🙂
Colleen says
I love this, another must do to add to my list ….
Where Roots And Wings Entwine says
This is adorable. Wish someone would create one for me…..may just have to hint to the other half 😉
Tonia says
I know what you mean! My husband dutifully opened one a week for a year and it made him happy every week! I need to make another jar for him!
Connie says
I really love this! I have an ongoing Mason Jar linky, would you please stop by and add this one? Thanks! http://www.familyhomeandlife.com/2012/08/the-pantry-for-mason-jar-monday.html
Angela Swanson says
The sweetest idea for a valentine’s gift that has a lot of heart and meaning. This would be a great idea for a teen.
valerie says
Tottally love this! I want to do one for so many people! Thanks so much for sharing! By the way, your blog is amazing! so many incredible ideas 🙂
Tonia L says
Thanks Valerie! I’m so happy you stopped by!
Doreen says
Hi ToniaSo glad you posted your Top Posts for those of us who missed them the first time. I adore your 52 in a Jar. I’m with Holly–anything in a Mason jar has my attention! DoreenHttp://altered-artworks.blogspot.com
Tonia L says
I’m with you Doreen! I love mason jars!
Lanetta says
Again, love this! Thanks for all your inspirational hints! I’ve made some, like I mentioned before, and blogged about it today! http://lanettascreations.blogspot.com/2012/03/lack-of-focus.html#.T3CRNDH2b2k
Kellie says
what a great idea!! and i love the twine. 🙂
Ginger says
Featuring YOU today! You were one of my favorites at {wow me} wednesday last week! Thank you so much for linking up!Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.comhttp://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/02/take-look-at-you-my-favorites_23.html
Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says
Oh my goodness…What an AWESOME Idea Tonia…SUPER SWEET! Thanks for sharing at Overflowing with Creativity! I can’t wait to see what you link up at my party tomorrow! I LOVE following you…you’re so inspiring! Just a little reminder, my giveaway for 1000 free FULL color business cards ends at midnight!! Stop by and enter to wiN! XO, Aimee
Lanetta says
Thanks for all your suggestions to get the juices flowing!I created something like this for my parents for Christmas a few years ago. Both are over 80 and have everything they need/want, so it’s always a challenge to come up with something special for a Christmas gift. I wrote out 52 things I was grateful for, memories they each gave me, and gave them their own grateful jar! Because Christmas Day was on a Friday that year, the top of each jar had a label with the printing: “Momma’s Friday Dose of Gratefulness” or “Daddy’s Friday Dose of Gratefulness” !!!Because I live about 3 hours away, I don’t get to see them but once a month. We talk on the phone every day, but those Friday’s were priceless when they both would read to me what I had written and we talked about the memory.Thanks for the reminder! Love this idea and will create “kits” for an upcoming arts/crafts show I’m doing, just before Mother’s Day!
Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says
I don’t know how I missed this at Valentines Day. It’s such a fun idea! I think I”ll start one for my son and my husband and give them at Christmas. Now to decide what 52 Things! Fun to think about! Following you via Linky now.
Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says
This is SUCH a sweet idea. I love it and I love how you put it all together. I featured you today! You can view the post here http://designdininganddiapers.com/2012/02/features-from-link-up
Kirsten Goff says
I did this for my mom a few years ago for Mother’s Day! Mine was 52 Thank Yous! Some were serious and some were funny. She loved it!
Rachel {BubblyNatureCreations.com} says
This is so awesome!!! What a great idea. Thanks so much for linking it up!
Anji* says
This is such a lovely idea! 🙂