Kristan Cunnigham is a DIY expert and the host of Super Saver Showdown. Inspired by contestant Roselind's party favor ideas, Kristan presents us with a few gift ideas of her own using inexpensive mason jars.

Mason Jar Projects

Roselind used brown paper bags as the "container" to present her ingredients in, but there are so many inexpensive options to create personalized and customized hostess gifts or party favors. Colorful tea tins and vintage tea cups are also great "houses" that make whatever the contents inside feel like a special gift.

I love mason jars because they're inexpensive to buy in bulk, they work with just about any aesthetic, and they're reusable for a million different purposes once your guests finish the gift you've put inside.

Up Next: Homemade Sugar Scrub


Homemade Sugar Scrub
(Great for spa parties, Mother's Day gifts, Shower gifts, Hostess gifts, etc.)

Everyone loves to receive indulgent gifts that they're not likely to invest in for themselves. Body lotions and potions can break the bank, but your pantry is probably already stocked with the few basic ingredients necessary to make a fancypants body scrub. Does this sound too easy? Are you looking for a link to more difficult instructions? Nope. Not gonna find it...This is, officially, the easiest project ever.

Up Next: Sugar Scrub Supplies


Homemade Sugar Scrub Supplies
  • 3 cups of sugar
  • 3/4 cup of olive oil
  • Juice from 1 lemon
  • Zest from two lemons
  • 2 Tbsp of vanilla extract
  • Mason Jar (you can get these in bulk at the grocery store)
  • Twine and Mailing tag (both of these can be found at shipping or office supply stores)

Up Next: Sugar Scrub Directions


Homemade Sugar Scrub Directions
  • Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
  • Scoop ingredients into mason jars.
  • Add twine and handwritten tag to jar.
  • Hand out and drink in expressions of awe and adoration from your guests for being to clever :)

Up Next: Homemade Bubbles


Homemade Bubbles
(Great for weddings and kids parties)

Who doesn't love bubbles! No really, I'm asking "Who doesn't love bubbles?" They can add an ethereal quality to a special moment when a bride and groom exit the church, and just serve as plain 'ol fun at a kids birthday party...or an adult's birthday party...come to think of it, I want bubble at my next party! This is a gift that takes minutes to make, but your guests will still feel the love and effort that goes into all things handmade.

Up Next: Bubbles Supplies


Homemade Bubbles Supplies

  • 3 cups of water
  • 1 cup liquid dishwashing detergent
  • 1/3 cup corn syrup
  • Mason jar
  • Twine or ribbon to match your decor (to attach wand to jar)
  • Wire cutters
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • One of the following 3: Vinyl-clad steel wire, Pipe cleaners (I like white for a more classic look), or Skeleton keys (you can still get these at hardware stores or online for under $1.50 a pair...better yet, scour flea markets where you'll likely find them in bulk for next to nothing)

Up Next: Bubbles Directions


Homemade Bubbles Directions
  • Mix first three ingredients in mason jar for bubble solution
  • Fashion a wand out of wire or pipe cleaner by bending into desired shape or choose a skeleton key.
  • Attach wand to jar by tying ribbon or twine around the mouth of the jar.

Up Next: Terrariums


Terrariums
(Great gifts for everything from a casual garden party to an elegant dinner party)

Terrariums are gorgeous, moody, minature little universes that you can fashion in a million different ways. Keep it light and beachy with air plants and fan coral or shells. Channel your inner forest nymph and go with dense rich green moss and toadstools. Or, throw in some little army guys or miniature dinosaurs and present kids with a fantasy world that they can reign over. These take just a few moments to put together, but the results are nothing short of magical. And, by the way, they make a great activity for a party, as well as a takeaway gift. Because all of those ingredients can be purchased in bulk, you can cover a large table with brown craft paper, present those ingredients in large bowls and provide spoons to use as little trowels so that your guests can make their own little kingdoms!

Up Next: Terrarium Supplies


Terrarium Supplies
  • Bag of potting soil
  • Bag of small pebbles or rocks
  • Bag of sand (colored or natural)
  • Bag of moss
  • Small plants of your choice (or larger potted plants that can be broken up, like maidenhair ferns, etc.)
  • Miniature toys, figurines, shells, glass pieces, twigs...the options are endless!
  • Water in spray bottle

Up Next: Terrarium Directions


Terrarium Directions
  • Line bottom of jar with a layer of moss. (this will eliminate a layer of brown water sitting at the bottom of the jar)
  • Add a layer of pebbles or rocks. (this step is important as it will provide a little drainage so that your plants don't sit in water and rot)
  • Scoop in and level out a thin layer of soil.
  • Scoop in and level out a thin layer of sand (optional)
  • Add another layer of soil.
  • Begin to arrange and plant greenery...here's where the directions stop. You can add artificial elements, stick with one plant of species or mix several kinds, add a layer of glass..the truth is, there really are no rules.
  • Mist lightly with water and enjoy the beauty AND the fact that these are almost impossible to kill :)