Holiday Crafts Made From Milk Jugs

Use an empty milk jug as the basis for a holiday craft.

Holiday crafting is an ideal activity for little ones as well as a way to make homemade gifts for family and friends. You can use a clean gallon-size plastic milk jug as the foundation for a charming holiday craft; since you may already have a milk jug or two on hand, it is a cost-saving project to boot.

Potpourri

As a plastic jug is already designed to hold something, it makes a natural holder for a project like homemade potpourri. Make Christmas-scented potpourri at home by drying some cinnamon sticks and orange slices in the oven. Cut the top three inches off the milk jug with scissors and fill the inside of the container with the potpourri, then set the item out on a table where everyone can enjoy the scent.

Homemade Cider

You can empty and clean out a milk jug and then use it to hold your own homemade liquid, like apple cider. If you have a special recipe for the drink, make a batch and fill up the jug. Then design a custom label on your computer, with a faux brand name like "Sara's Cider," and glue the label onto the jug. This project also works for other homemade drinks, like cocoa, egg nog or Christmas punch.

Cookie in a Jug

Cookie-in-a-jar projects are easy to make around Christmastime and make ideal gifts for friends. You can customize the project by placing the cookie ingredients in a milk jug instead of a jar. Pour all of the dry ingredients for your favorite cookie recipe, like flour, sugar, chocolate chips and baking powder, into the jug. Tie instructions around the jug with a ribbon, letting the recipient know what else to add, like eggs or butter, and how to bake the cookies.

Snow Globe

Kids can make a homemade snow globe from a milk jug, particularly if the jug is especially transparent. Pour water, glitter and small plastic Christmas toys into the jug, then glue the top onto the jug. Kids can shake the jug and take turns looking for the different objects floating around in the jug. You can find inexpensive items like plastic snowmen, reindeer and candy canes at most dollar stores.

References

• Christmas-Cookies: Gifts in a Jar
• PlanTea: 35+ Uses for Plastic Milk Jugs
• Frugal Dad: Uses for Milk Jugs