I have an affinity towards glass jars. They are a favorite of mine. They embody so many things I appreciate: they can be repurposed, they are versatile, they are practical, they are vintage, classic, and they are free (or paid for when purchasing pasta sauce and jam).
As I looked around the other day, I realized that I use jars in so many ways all over my house:
It all started with votive candles. Jam jars became pretty, vintage, free candle holders on the dining room table and on the front porch.

Since I like to recycle, and our city’s curbside recycling doesn’t pick up glass, I began to collect glass jars under the kitchen sink to re-use or take to the recycle drop off center. I dig into the pile when I need a jar to use for something and take the rest to the drop off periodically. (Which, by the way, my kids love. There is something about it- throwing glass into large metal dumpsters-the loud crashing glass, and the renegade feeling, while actually being environmentally responsible, that makes it a big event at our house). So I recycle some and save some for repurposing.
I must say that some jars are prettier than others, and some are more useful in size than others. Sometimes, Dave asks me if I
really need all these jars, that are pouring out of
my our cabinet. I try to explain that I really do try to sort and recycle every couple of months, but some I
must keep. I sometimes feel the urge to defend each jar's potential future use to him. After all, there are times that I even choose to buy a certain jar of jam because the jar is so pretty and I think it would be great to repurpose!
Jars can be used for so many different things. You never know when you might need one! Some of my favorite uses are:
to hold flowers- fresh

and dried
and office supplies: clips and erasers in the drawer,
and homemade salad dressings
and even pink lemonade!
A couple of my students have been bringing their iced tea and chai to class in a glass jar with the lid securely screwed on for safe travel. How fun is that?- the retro travel mug!
So, before you ditch that jelly jar, pasta jar, pimento jar (one of my favorites)- think again- it might have a great purpose.