4 Creative Ways My Mom Uses Empty Jam Jars All Over the House (They’re So Versatile!)
My mom is one of the scrappiest people I know. She can find a purpose for just about anything in 10 seconds flat, and that includes jam and jelly jars. We keep a stack of them in our cabinet at all times because there’s always another reason to put them to work. In the past, they’ve served as a home for seashells, a mini flower vase, and a place to grow green onions, among other things. Here are four ways they’re being used in our home right now.
Fruit Cup
Out of all the ways my mom recycles these jars, this one is my favorite. At the end of every week, we usually have some leftover fruit. Throwing it into a jar has been the easiest way to use it up and get my daughter some nutrition. She can grab it and go, bringing the fruit cup with her in the car, to a friend’s house, and more. The jars don’t take up too much space in the fridge, can be easily stacked, and, as it turns out, hold the perfect amount of fruit.
The lid might be the best part: If my daughter wants to come back to her snack later, she can twist it back on. And if the jar rolls under a car seat or gets lost in her mess of a playroom? We don’t have to worry about finding it before the ants and fruit flies do. Fruit is just the beginning of these jars’ food storage possibilities — leftovers, overnight oats, and mini servings are all fair game too.
Drinking Glass
This might sound obvious, but hear me out: Finishing only half your drink is the worst. Your options are usually to dump it out or leave it in the fridge uncovered — the former is wasteful, and the latter is simply unappetizing. (I know I’m not the only one who thinks that uncovered drinks end up taking on weird tastes and scents from the fridge.) My daughter is notorious for claiming to be more thirsty than she is, so we do this a lot. When she decides she’s ready for more, she can untwist the lid herself and finish the drink off.
Paintbrush Cup
It’s niche and probably seems random, but I promise this makes a lot of sense. After washing out all the paint, the brushes are still going to be wet for a while. That means either letting them air dry before storing them or letting them air dry while storing them. Plus, there are a million more things you can put in a jar, from mascara and eyeliner to hot glue sticks and matchboxes.
Toothbrush Holder
I’m convinced that toothbrush holders for sale are a scam. There are too many products, like jars, that can do the same thing for free. Visually I prefer a jam or jelly jar because it’s clear — meaning it creates the illusion of less clutter and I know when it’s time to wash it. Our jars are big enough to throw the toothpaste in, too, which allows everything to be in one place for my daughter.