One thing 1950s housewives really had down to a science? They never wasted a thing. Every bit of fabric, every bit of leftovers, even every jar had a purpose. And honestly, there’s something beautiful (and super practical OF COURSE) about that “waste not, want not” mentality. So I was totally thinking, what if we brought a bit of that vintage charm and resourcefulness into our homemaking today?
If you’ve got a collection of empty jam jars piling up in your kitchen, or almost empty jam bottles, don’t toss them just yet. I’m sharing three hacks to upcycle those jars.
1. Make Jam Jar Salad Dressing
This is one of my favorite, EASY, salad dressings to make AND it’s a great way to use those almost empty bottles of jam or jelly in the back of your fridge!
Here’s all you’ll need to whip up your own salad dressing right in the jar:
- A jam or jelly jar with a little left in it
- 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- A drizzle (or a good squeeze!) of honey for a hint of sweetness
- Salt and pepper to taste
Add everything into the jar, screw the lid on tight, and give it a good shake. That’s it! The jar does all the work for you. When you’re done, just pour it over your favorite greens or tuck it into the fridge for later. Plus, you’ve just skipped having to go buy more salad dressing.
2. Make a cute iced coffee cup!
It’s not as hard as you’d think to turn those jam jars into cute retro-style coffee cups!
What you’ll need:
- A drill with a bit slightly larger than the diameter of your straw
- Any straw-friendly jam jar lid (or the lid that came with your jar)
Here’s how to do it:
- Wash and dry your jar and lid thoroughly.
- Use your drill to make a hole in the center of the lid. Don’t stress if it’s not perfect—we’re going for functional, not perfection here!
- Insert your straw into the hole. Fill the jar with iced coffee, tea, or your beverage of choice, pop the lid on, and enjoy!
This hack is not just downright cute for sipping your morning brew, but it’s also eco-friendly.
3. Make a Mason Jar Sewing Kit
Turn an old jar into a sewing kit that not only stores all your sewing necessities but also has a pincushion on top! Adorable and practical? Girl sign me up!
Here’s what you need to craft your new sewing bestie:
- An empty jar (small ones work perfectly for this)
- A scrap of fabric
- Some cushion stuffing (like batting or even cotton balls!)
- A glue gun
- A needle, thread, pins, and other sewing tools
Instructions:
- Start by cutting a small circle out of your scrap fabric, about 2 inches wider than the lid of your jar.
- Place the stuffing in the center of your fabric circle.
- Cover the lid with the fabric and stuffing, securing it with hot glue along the inner edge of the lid. Pat it down to make it nice and smooth.
- Once the pincushion is set, screw the lid back on the jar and fill the jar with needles, buttons, or bits of thread.
These also make great gifts for any friends you may have that love to sew or embroider!
Bringing Vintage Charm into Your Modern Life
Sometimes it’s the simple things that make the biggest impact. Repurposing jars isn’t just about saving waste but also about adding a bit of charm to your daily routines. Give one (or all!) of these a try, and let me know what you think in the comments!
P.S. If you want to romanticize your cleaning too, check out my 1950s radio show cleaning routines! You press play, and are guided through a 30 minute cleaning routine in timed increments while listening to vintage 1950s radio shows! Click here for some free episodes!
