The Gunny Sack

Ice Skating {Date} In A Jar ~ DIY Valentine’s Day Gift

A themed gift in a jar can be anything from a group of similar items like a spa in a jar, to a gathering place for love notes in a jar to a get well soon jar filled with treats. With Valentine’s Day on the way, now is the time to start thinking of DIY gift ideas! Wouldn’t it be fun to give and receive a Date In a Jar?


The concept is basic, just think of a fun date idea. Then, put little clues and useful things pertaining to that date into a jar. These jars can be gifts for men or women, husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend. This week I am sharing Ice Skating In A Jar.

For the outside decoration, I made a vintage felt ice skate. Fold a piece of white felt, cloth or even paper in half. Cut an ice skate shape using the fold at the bottom of the skate. Slide a paper onto the fold and glue the skate together. Sew laces with yarn leaving long tails for tying or draw laces with a permanent marker.

For this jar, I tried to stick with a color scheme of red, white and blue. I bought red gloves, powdered mocha mix, lip balm and chocolates. The jar is a vintage blue mason jar that was part of a box of mason jars that I gladly took off my sister-in-law’s hands.

Start by laying one of the gloves in the jar. Add the mocha and then the lip balm. Fill the rest of the area with chocolates.  Tuck the glove fingers into the glove, turn it upside down, stick it on the top of the jar and add the mason jar band. Finally, wrap the yarn for the ice skate laces around the jar.

Once the date is over, fill the the jar with mementos from the date like photos, a restaurant menu, the receipt for the ice skate rental, a slip of paper with a few written memories, etc.

These themed jars would also make adorable party favors! Assemble a bunch of them and host an ice skating party. No matter the occasion, gifts in a jar are so much fun!

What {Date} In A Jar would you like to receive?

Comments

  1. Jeremy Thompson says

    I do like your idea of making this ice skating in a jar gift with the tiny accessories that look like skates while filling the jar with assorted goodies. That would be perfect for my plan to take my wife ice skating this Valentine’s day as our date of choice. This should be able to make her happy and make the event more memorable. Thanks!

    Reply

  2. Erica says

    Hi there 🙂 I really like the skates, and am attempting to replicate them. I’m having some trouble with the laces. Can you please explain what you used for a needle to help the yarn go through the felt easily, and how you started off to get the laces to look so nice? I’m just not sure where to start and where to go with each stitch to make it look as good as the picture:) Thanks in advance.

    Reply

    • Tonia says

      Hi Erica,
      I used a needle with a large eye. I believe it was a tapestry needle. I had to pull it a little but I don’t remember having issues. I would suggest using the point of a sharp scissors or a knife to make a small hole where you want the yarn to go through. Unfortunately, it has been almost a year since I made these skates so I don’t remember how I did the laces. I think I started at the bottom and sewed the laces in one direction all the way to the top. Then, I put the needle on the other end of the yarn and sewed the laces in the opposite direction from the bottom. Hope that helps!
      ~Tonia

      Reply

      • Erica says

        Thanks so much !
        I was able to figure it out and it’s exactly the way you described. They look really wonderful.Thanks for the post and great idea. You are so creative. Thanks for sharing your gifts !
        -Erica

        Reply

      • Barbara Shoda says

        A simple but great idea. I like reusing the jar as a memory jar also. Great idea for “upcycling” and “repurposing” items. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a romantic date, either. It can just be used as incentives, rewards, friend time, parent child time, etc. All memories are important. Reminders of those good times are even better. Thank you for sharing your creative ideas.

        -BJS

        Reply

  4. Designed Decor says

    Very clever idea! I love the paper clips! I just started a new link party and would love for you to come over and share your post or any social media sites. Talkin’ About Thursday – http://designeddecor.com/talkin-about-thursday-link-party-5/ DeDe@DesignedDecor

    Reply

  5. Mackenzie says

    Very, very cute idea! I wish we had snow and ice in Texas (only for fun things like ice skating though)! 😉 Mackenzie 🙂 cheeriosandlattes.com

    Reply

  7. Ana Lopes says

    This is adorable!!!Thanks so much for sharing the great tutorial! Would love to have you visit me sometime.Have a fabulous week!Hugs from Portugal,Ana Love Craftwww.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

    Reply

  11. Amy Ellis says

    This jar is adorable. I would love to put in on my mantle to remind me that winter’s not so bad, if you only embrace it. What a cozy and creative way to embrace the cold!

    Reply

  12. Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says

    I LOVE it!! You are a genius, really! So creating and imaginative…also it will be a nice date 🙂

    Reply

  13. Marti Cooper says

    What a cute idea and I love the ice skates! I’m hosting a craft party if you would like to participate! I’d love for you to share it at SHOW-licious Craft Showcase! http://sew-licious.blogspot.com/2013/01/saturday-show-licious-craft-showcase-15.htmlMarti

    Reply

  14. Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says

    Absolutely love this. And really wish someone would be creative and give me a date in a jar … I’ll have to show this post to my husband! 🙂

    Reply

  15. Lindsay says

    Oh, so creative! I always love your ideas, makes me want to get creative after seeing all the wonderful things you do here!

    Reply

  17. Anne @ Domesblissity says

    Oh Tonia. How cute are those skates? I’m keeping that one in the vault in case my daughter has an ice skating party. We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day as big as you guys over there. Never mind a date in a jar though, a date of any kind would be nice. LOL (Not really. I’m not in the slighest bit interested.)Anne xx

    Reply

    • Tonia L says

      LOL Anne! It could be a date in a jar with your kids! Wouldn’t they be excited if you presented them with a jar full of clues about your outing? It could even be for a trip to the park or beach. I would suggest using a plastic jar though.

      Reply

  18. Stephanie @ henry happened says

    What a fabulously clever idea! I love your jar ideas. And those ice skates are just the cutest thing ever 🙂

    Reply

    • Tonia L says

      Thanks Sue! Rock climbing in a jar sounds like a great idea! You could put in carabiners, trail mix, granola bar and rocks!

      Reply

  21. Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted says

    Oh my gosh could those ice skates be any cuter? How genius of you to use paper clips for the blades!

    Reply

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