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Lighted Potpourri Holiday Jars
by Jane Lake
Here's a trendy holiday decorating idea that combines the soft glow of mini lights with the gentle scent of warm potpourri. It's an easy way to infuse a room with holiday ambience or light up the dark corner of a hallway.
These lighted potpourri jars are such an easy craft that they make ideal hostess gifts for impromptu holiday gatherings. Just wrap in cellophane and add lots of cheerful ribbon curls.
I always have one lit up in the bathroom at Christmas because the warm glow serves as a night light for guests while the subtle fragrance is long-lasting and very pleasing.
What You Will Need:
large, clean glass food jar, canning jar or ivy bowlstring of 20 to 30 mini lights
scented potpourri
doily or open-weave fabric circle to cover jar lid
rubber band
ribbon or raffia
seasonal decorations
tacky glue or hot glue
1. Clean and dry the glass jar, then add a layer of potpourri to cover the bottom.
2. Turn on the lights and begin feeding them into the jar, adding potpourri as you go, so that the lights are spaced equally apart and supported by the potpourri that you are packing around them. Do not pack the jar too tightly.
3. Allow the end of the light string to come out through the top and tuck it to the back of the jar.
4. If you're using an antique or modern mason-style canning jar, it probably comes with a two-piece lid. You can leave the lid off entirely or just discard the center section then screw the band in place.
5. Fasten a doily or circle of open-weave fabric over the mouth of the jar using a strong elastic band. This will hold the light string in place, as it comes out of the jar, as well.
6. Cover the elastic band with ribbon or raffia. You can tie the ribbon or raffia in a bow, or just knot it together and cover with seasonal decorations.
7. Using tacky glue or hot glue, add a few festive decorations to the front of the ribbon.
8. If you're giving the jar as a gift, wrap in cellophane and tie with curly ribbon.
9. As the scent fades, replenish with a fragrance oil or essential oil which complements the original scent. Simply add a few drops of oil through the holes in the doily and your lighted potpourri jar should be good to go for another season.
I purchased one of these in a gift store out of state, it was expensive! Since then, I've made these as gifts with both the ivy bowls and mason jars and have RAVE reviews from friends. I buy the lights from Hobby Lobby but I've seen them at Wal-Mart, too. I buy up extras after the holidays and keep them on hand to make gifts.
what a neat idea. but i am wondering about the safety aspect. has any one had any problem with the lights
being too hot for the potpourri. would they be able to
stay plugged in for a whole evening?
Thank you! These made wonderful, cost efficient teacher gifts this year. I'm so happy I found this. And my 6th grade daughter had a lot of fun making them for her teachers. She was very proud to take them to school and give them away.
stop by your local dollar store for the lights, and you can use any size jar . i use the one gallon pickle jars after the kids have emptied them. works out great.
Would LED lights work in these? They don't get as warm as mini lights do, maybe I'll try some of those.
I know that this may sound silly but can anyone tell me where I could get those types of jars other then if I were to eat a lot of tomato sauce?...
you can buy the mason jars anywhere they sell canning stuff, like wal-mart. I bought ones just for crafts at a craft store (they were $1 a piece) I then bought a 12 pack for $8 at wal-mart. I found the lights online
Try local thrift stores. or your local grocery store in the canning section.
Good luck,
Eve
These are also known as canning jars and can be found in most grocery stores, Walmart, Kmart etc.
can anyone tell me where to find the mini lights this time of year? I would like to make these for my friends baby shower at the end of the month. Thanks!!
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