Decorative Glass Mason Jars for Kitchen Gift Ideas

Jam Pickles Preserves in Glass Canning Jars?

Glass storage jars were already in existence when John Mason received a patent for his crew top lid but this was the invention which was to revolutionize home canning jars.

His unique screw top canning jar system substantially reduced the risk of spoilage and food poisoning helping to perfect this method of food storage. In 1858 he received a patent on his pattern for a screw on bottle top for glass storage jars. It was his invention of this effective lid which helped improve food storage safety and effectively simplified the preserving of canned jams, jellies, sauces, pickles, fruits, and meats from that point forward.

Canning jars have long been one of our safest and most effective systems of food storage and a large thank you goes to John Mason for its safety. Since the invention of his screw top system most of the glass jars used in canning and preserving food are now commonly referred to as Mason jars.

In the Past it was Difficult to Preserve Food for Long Periods

Foods were dried, salted, cured, or stored in pottery and jars that had a very high incidence of spoilage. Effectively storing food for future use was not an exact science in the old days and it often came with many health risks associated with it. Food spoiled, had a tendency to be taken over by insects, or was eaten by the local small rodent populations.

In 1858 when John Mason patented his storage jar system he forever changed the method by which fruit, jams, and jellies would be preserved. Previous to the invention of the Mason screw top lid jars had to be sealed using a layer of wax or other plug to enclose the food within the jar. This was a risky process which often left the food vulnerable to spoilage. John Mason's screw top lid system now made jar storage a much safer procedure.

Although most people think the Mason and Ball canning jars are one and the same there is a little twist to the history that brought this about. Despite his discover John Mason would not be the one to cash in on his invention. He unfortunately allowed his patent to expire in 1879. This move allowed two brothers Frank and Edmund Ball to cash in on his invention. They began manufacturing canning jars using John Landis Mason's canning jar system. The Ball brand would go on to become the glass storage container most often recognized as the original Mason jar.

The Ball Heritage Collection features colored storage jars

With just a hint of blue, purple, or green color in the glass to make them reminiscent of years gone by delightfully old fashioned canning jars in small or large size are now available that are from Ball that are absolutely gorgeous. Perfect for decoratively accenting your jam, jelly, fruit, pickles, or other food preserves. A delightfully decorative touch to a seasonal tradition.

Decorative Old Fashioned Snap Lid Closure Jars

Unique and distinctive the snap lid jars are a delight to gift home made fruit and vegetable preserves in. The snap lids are beautiful and give such a unique appearance to home canning gifts. Snap lids were one of the earlier style of food storage jars.

With an old fashioned look these are delightful when given as Christmas, anniversary, or housewarming gifts. Filled with your favorite jams or preserves of course. Filled with an assortment of theme items, herbal teas, soaps, lotions, money, or craft items are other cute jar gift ideas.

Cookie and cake dry goods accompanied by the recipe or a cook book are quite a popular present for family who are no longer living at home. This gift brings a taste of home with them and simplify the process of cooking up this traditional food.

A candy, ornament, spoon, or other small gift attached to the outside with a ribbon or twine is a loving final touch to this type or present.

There are Many Unique and Decorative Styles to Select From

Quilted Jelly and Jam Storage Jars

Quilted glass canning jars are ideal for holiday gift giving. When it comes to a delightfully unique canning jar these quilted glass are it. They are a delightfully old fashioned way to display pickle, jam, jelly, or fruit preserve jars. For holiday gift giving they show off your delicious fruits and vegetables in classic style.

Tips for Styling up Your Jam and Preserve Jars for Gift Giving

Some of the Best Gifts are Those That Come From the Kitchen

I love the old fashioned look of a pantry filled with homemade jam, jelly, and other preserves. Colorful and attractive it gives me a warm feeling every time I see one.

Perhaps this country cupboards remind me of back when I was young and of our kitchen storage pantry out on the farm. It was one of the food storage methods my mom used and with a family of 8 to feed we had quite a large garden to harvest and preserve.

Mason jars are perfect for canning your favorite fruits, sauces, and vegetables in. Having a delicious selection of homemade preserves stored safely away is reminiscent of homestead kitchens long ago. There really is no other food quite like home made.

Be sure to include a size variety into your canning. Being small doesn't mean that you cannot do a big job. Little jars are ideal for jam, jelly, or baby's frozen food and they are adorable when an assortment of them are gifted in a basket for special occasions and holidays.

Quality counts. Add a traditional touch of style to your jam, fruit preserves, pickles, and other harvest canning with these Bormioli Rocco Quattro jars. The unique shape of these food storage jars make them ideal for decoratively displaying jam, pickles, and other homemade fruit preserves. Ideal for gift giving.

You can Find Free Printable Labels and Gift Tags Online

Printable labels can be found online or you can purchase decorative labels at your local stores. Kitchen gifts are quite unique in themselves but a little added personalize can be dazzling.

There are many really nice ways to decorate your jars. Whether you are simply storing them for your own use or preparing them for gift giving it is delightful to fix them up with personalized labels or tags.

I was peeking online to discover what I could find for free printable preserve labels and tags and came up with quite a few. Then much to my delight I stumbled onto a Pinterest page devoted entirely to this subject. Check it out at Pinterest: Fabulous {free} Printables. Very exciting.

How to Can Quick and Easy Pickle Preserves