Isn’t it almost unbelievable that it’s a new year already?!
This past year was filled with good times and happy little moments in my family and I’ve been looking for a way to easily remember everything. While searching on Pinterest for mason jar craft ideas I found the inspiration to make a DIY New Year Memory Jar. I thought this would be a good way to help keep track of all the good times and wonderful little moments that happen throughout the coming year!
Using the memory jar is pretty simple – I’m plan to write little notes about the happy moments, accomplishments and things that happen throughout the year and place them into the jar. At the end of this year on New Year’s Eve we’ll open up the jar and read the little notes. This will be a nice family activity to do on New Year’s Eve! 🙂
I created my DIY New Year Memory Jar using items I either had on hand or found for super cheap at the dollar store. I’m very pleased with how it turned out and will be proud to have this on display. 🙂 It only cost about $3 to make!
A memory jar could be used for any occasion really! You could try making one as a gift for a special someone’s birthday or even for Valentine’s Day and write little love notes in it collected through the year!
Below I’ve included the details on how I created our memory jar so you can make one too!
I’ve also included a link to a FREE printable I’ve created so you can create the tags for this project! 🙂
2016 Update: Due to popular demand I've provided an updated printable sheet for 2017!
What You’ll Need
- 1 L mason jar or other large jar
- Decorative ribbon of your choice
- Adhesive strips of jewels (found at the dollar store)
- Craft paper for the lid (found this at the dollar store)
- Scissors
- Hole puncher
- Heavy card stock – any color you prefer
- Printer
- New Year Memory Jar Printable
- Small note pad
- Black marker or pen (or whatever color you like)
How to Make it
1. Print the New Year Memory Jar printable on the heavy card stock.
2. Along the grey line cut out the tag you prefer to use.
3. Punch a hole through the grey circle on the tag using the hole puncher. I’ve provided a few different options depending on how you’d like your tag. You can choose a vertical or horizontal image and also have the option to customize the year or label on the tag using your marker.
4. Cut a length of ribbon to about a couple yards (I didn’t really measure this. I just estimated.) Make sure there’s enough ribbon to wrap around the rim of the jar a few times.
5. Fold the ribbon in half making a loop at the end. Push the loop through the hole in the tag and guide the loose ends through the loop so that the ribbon is now attached to the tag.
6. From the top of the tag where the ribbon is attached, measure about 1/2 inch to 1 inch up on the ribbon and make a knot.
7. At the knot, separate the two lose ends of the ribbon. Wrap the loose ends of the ribbon around the mouth of the jar below the area where the lid goes. Make sure that your tags label is facing outward so you can see it.
8. Tie the ends of the ribbon with a double knot and cut off any excess.
9. Take the inside circle of your jar lid and trace a circle on the craft paper. Cut it out and place the circle so that the pretty side is visible when you put the rim on the jar lid.
10. Decorate your jar in whatever pattern you like using the adhesive jewels. You could put them on in a swirl pattern like I did or you could place them horizontally, vertically or however you like. You could even make a picture on the jar using the jewels! 🙂
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it has inspired you to create your own memory jar. You don’t have to do one just like the one I made – use your imagination with items you can find and it will be awesome!
