Making Memory Jars (DIY Christmas Decor)

Last weekend, we got to head home to Northwest Arkansas!  We went back to speak at a Holiday Expo there and give the attenders some fun Christmas decorating ideas.



This weekend we plan to share more decorating ideas at Vintage Market Days!  We definitely hope to see our Oklahoma friends at this amazing event!  We sure wish we could meet all our readers face to face at one of these events we have planned, but since most of you will not be able to join us in the flesh, we have vowed to share all the decorating details here on the blog.



So, settle in. . . these next few weeks will be nothing but CHRISTMAS!!!! :)   (Yes, I know we are not even to Thanksgiving yet, but you are going to need a little time to put your decor together, so let's start now! :)

When I think about the Holidays so many warm memories come to mind.  Sometimes I think we have to be purposeful about creating traditions, about creating memories.  It's easy to plop down on the couch and watch a Christmas movie, but how special or memorable is that?  Now, if you make yummy snacks together before the movie, build a bed sheet fort to watch the movie from, or re-inact your favorite parts of a movie, well that makes for some wonderful, very special memories!

As you know, I'm a sucker for a story.  I love the idea of creating and reliving memories.  Because of this,  I have come up with a way to honor memories with your decor!  Check out the glass jar below. . .



The idea behind the jar is to use it as a time capsule of sorts.  My suggestion is that you take pictures, mementos, letters, special ornaments, ect, and place them inside the jar to create a beautiful, story telling vignette.  Our mock up jars are a little more plain than I would prefer, but your authentic memory jar can be overflowing with pieces from your christmas memories!  Pictures are the first thing that comes to mind when your trying to document a certain time in life, but try to think of other things as well.  Maybe you can cut a strip of fabric from that fort you built or place the "Baby's First Christmas" ornament inside.  Maybe you can set a baggie of your family's favorite Christmas candy or a souvenier from that time you spent Christmas in Hawaii into the jar.  Using a glass jar is important because it allows your memories to do double duty as amazing and meaningful decor!



Nature provides great items for us to decorate with, especially during the Holidays.  As you can see, I used pine clippings and pine cones (& fake snow) to give my jars an outdoorsy/homey feel.  Using natural items is a great idea if you love the outdoors and/or are low on dough.  I love the idea of actually creating a memory by taking your family on a nature hike and gathering "holiday decor" while spending special moments with loved ones.  Imagine how many pinecones 3 children could pick up! :)

Tim and I love the idea of taking out all the jars we've created in 20 years and not only reliving memories, but seeing how each jar has created a time capsule, capturing the style and looks of the different years!  How fun!  Also, the memory jars don't have to be based only on the Holidays.  You could create a jar that encompasses memories from the entire year.

I hope you like this idea of creating memory jars.  But even if you don't, be sure you are capturing your special memories in some way!  Years from now, you'll be so glad you did!

PS- If you make a memory jar this year, we would love, love, love to see the photos and hear the stories! E-mail me or share them on our Facebook page!

'Til tomorrow!