How to Make Jar Covers

Homemade gifts are great to give and always appreciated. If you plan on giving some homemade jam or spiced tea mix as a gift, take a moment to make the actual gift attractive. Decorate the plain glass canning jar by adding a jar cover to convey your birthday, wedding or holiday sentiments. Jar covers are a quick and simple way to dress up that special gift long after the wrapping paper or gift bag are gone.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler or tape measure
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• Raffia
• Labels
• Rubber bands
• Pen

Instructions

1. Prepare the homemade gift. Fill a glass canning jar with the homemade gift of choice. This may be a non-edible item like a homemade candle, potpourri or even craft supplies, such as beads. You can also fill the glass jar with homemade fruit preserves, hot cocoa mix or dried veggies for a soup starter.

2. Measure the lid of the jar. Determine the diameter of the jar so you can make a jar cover that will fit nicely with that specific size of jar. Measure across the top of the jar, at the widest area, from edge to edge.

3. Select a piece of fabric that reflects the occasion for the gift. Choose fabric with balloons and confetti for a birthday. Select fabric with pumpkins and ghosts for Halloween. Use fabric with Santa or reindeer prints for a Christmas gift.

4. Cut the piece of fabric. Measure the fabric so that it is double the diameter of the jar lid. If the lid is 4 inches wide, cut the fabric in an 8 inch by 8 inch square.

5. Secure the lid on the jar. Place the fabric over the lid of the jar. Center the fabric, and place a slender rubber band around the top to hold the fabric in place.

6. Tie ribbons or raffia around the top of the jar. Choose ribbons that will coordinate with the colors in the gift and the fabric jar cover. Hide the rubber band with the ribbons. Add a gift label that states how to use the homemade product, and who the gift is for and from. Include information about the expiration date, if the gift is edible.

Tips & Warnings

• In lieu of ribbons or raffia, you may also tie small pieces of holiday garland around the lid of the jar. Christmas tinsel, Halloween garland and even birthday streamers can be used as decorations for your jar cover.