Ever since I stopped making baby purees & turned to Earth’s Best for baby food I’ve been left with lots of glass jars.  At first, I thought I’d throw them in to recycling & be done with it.  But I saved them and have found use after use for them.  Here are some things I’ve done around the house:

Office Supplies

Put a few on your desk and you have instant organization.  Of course, this also works for any items that tend to be on the loose: nails, screws, bolts, washers and even loose change.

Spices

You can buy packets of spices for much less than the ones in the glass jars.  Throw them in an old baby jar, slap on a label & save yourself serious cash.  I’ve actually found these to be so much easier to get measuring spoons in to than the spice jar openings that I’ve started transferring spices to these.

Toiletries

We have a small sink with no space for decorative jars of cotton balls.  Our medicine cabinet keeps cotton balls & Qtips within easy reach.  I also have a few with hair accessories & hair ties.

Baby Shower Favors

These really came in handy when it was my turn to host a baby shower.  What is more appropriate than baby food jars at a baby shower?!  These are incredibly easy to make; run through the dishwasher, buy some Avery labels & make a cute, stick-on label.  Fill them with Mama-to-Be’s favorite candy.  You can even buy customized M&M’s in pink or blue (or yellow!).

Here are some other ideas:

• Potpourri holder: cover with fabric & tie the rim with a ribbon.
• Votive holder: fill each jar with a votive & line them up somewhere (shelf, sink, table).
• Snack Jar:  fill with raisins, cheerios or goldfish.  Toss in your diaper bag & you’re off!
• Lotion-on-the-go: Fill one up with your favorite lotion & keep in your car.
• Use as a flower vase: place one flower in each baby food jar & set above each placemat.
• Bath Salts: Fill a few with different bath salts & place near your tub.
• Envelope sealer:  cut a sponge to fit in the jar & when needed, fill it with a little water.
• Sand Art: buy sand (or get some from the beach/park), separate into a few groups & mix each with a different drop of food coloring.  Add them in layers.

What have we missed?  Share your creative uses!