Hanukkah in a Jar

Any which way you spell it, the Festival of Lights will be here before you know it.  This year, Chanukah begins Sunday night, December 6.  It's just three weeks away, but you have plenty of time to create unique Chanukah decor and gifts. 

One of the most popular projects on my blog is "Chanukah-in-a-Jar." So, I thought I would share it again.

I used a clear plastic pail 6" tall with a 4" diameter.  It has a lid and handle, which lends itself nicely for attaching colorful ribbons and tags.  However, you can also use a mason jar or repurposed spaghetti sauce or jam jar.  You just want to be sure it's tall enough to hold the Menorah candles.

Start by gathering craft supplies to embellish the container. Go through your stash or stroll down the craft aisles looking for printed and solid scrapbook or gift wrapping paper, ribbon, punches, stamps, ink, tags, charms, metal labels, etc.  

 

Cut a strip of cardstock 2" x 18".  If using 12" x 12" paper, cut two pieces and tape them together.  Then cut a coordinating piece of printed or gift wrap paper to 1-1/2" x 18."  Using tape adhesive, tape these two pieces together, one on top of the other.  Adhere ribbon to center of strip.

Using 2-1/2" circle punch, cut a circle with glitter paper.  Punch out two smaller circles (I used a scalloped punch, too) from the solid cardstock.  Stamp image on smaller circle.

Adhere long strips to pail.  Then adhere the circles to the pail, covering up the seams.  (This then becomes the front of the pail.)

Using varied textures and widths, tie 6" strands of coordinating ribbon to handle.  Cover the center of the lid with paper using decoupage sealer.  When dry, adhere label printed on cardstock and metal label holder to lid.  Tie charm to metal holder.

Stamp "Happy Hanukkah" and "To/From" images on tags.

You can find wooden dreidels at most party stores or in the Hanukkah section of your local large store this time of year.  Punch or cut a 1-1/4" square from coordinating paper.  Punch a small hole in center of the paper square, which will fit over the dreidel stem. Decoupage to dreidel top.

Then choose the "ingredients" for your jar.  Include:

[Box of] 44 menorah candles 

(enough candles for each night), 

the large dreidel, 

small box of matches

[embellished to match]

chocolate gelt, and

candle blessings. 

For the Chanukah blessings, I printed the Hebrew, transliteration and translation on both sides of a 4" x 6" cardstock, rolled it up and tied it with blue & white twine.

Arrange the candles and other "ingredients" inside the pail. 

That's it!

Here is the completed Chanukah-in-a-Jar:

If you would like a copy of the blessings document, leave a comment with your email, and I will send it to you.

These Chanukah-in-a-Jar make great gifts for children, grandchildren, teachers as well as hostess gifts.

While you're in the festive handmade spirit, 

you may also like these holiday projects:

Display your Menorah Candles in Style

Add Color to your Blue & White Decor

Sharing at these linky parties:

Romantic Home

Diana Rambles Pin Me Linky Party

Life as We Know It

Festive Handmade Holiday Gifts

It's finally raining here in Southern California.  The heavy mist almost looks like snow!  It's as close to a white flurry as we get.   Time to fire up the logs in the fireplace, stay in our pajamas all day, sip hot cocoa, and...craft! 

Handmade holiday gifts are the best, especially those that are quick to make, inexpensive and say "Happy Holidays" in a special way. They are great for teachers, neighbors and other special people.

Today I'm going to show you how to embellish clear acrylic pails and turn them into festive holiday gifts for both Christmas and Chanukah (Hanukkah).  They can easily be adapted to any other holiday as well.

Supplies: 

Clear acrylic pails  [I found 4-1/2" pails in different colors] 

Small 2" acrylic pails 

Shredded, crinkly paper

Crafting embellishments

Holiday Treats [to fill the pails]

Christmas Pail Fillers:   Assorted holiday candies, coffee, gift card, candles and playing cards.

Embellishments:  Choose ribbons, stickers, buttons, tags, and a rubber stamp with a holiday greeting.

The How-To:  Embellish the outside of a large pail.  I adhered beaded ribbon around the top of the pail.   Line the bottom inside of the pail with shredded paper.

Stamp a festive greeting onto a tag and tie to pail with ribbons.

 

  

Cover lid with pretty paper and rhinestones. 

I recommend decoupaging the paper to the lid to resist tearing.

Add the Christmas items to the large pails.  Fill smaller pails with candies such as m&m's or jelly bellies.  You can find holiday assortments or mix and match several bags of solid m&m's.

Here is what you'll need to make the Chanukah gift pail:

Fillers:  Chocolate gelt, dreidels, candles and matches.

The How-To:  Stamp a festive greeting onto a tag and tie to pail with ribbons.

Adhere ribbon around the outside of the pail.  For this one, I used two different ribbons, one at the top and one at the bottom.  Add shredded paper to inside bottom of pail; top lid with pretty paper or a sparkly bow.

Add contents to pail.

These pails are so versatile.  They make great table favors.  You can dress them up for many occasions including New Year's, the Super Bowl, Birthdays and Anniversaries.  You're just limited by your imagination and occasion!  

You may be able to find me sharing these ideas here 

as well as these new link parties:

Creative Collection Linky Party

Marigold's Loft
Inspired Housewife
Chic California



Happy Thanksgivukkah

Although Chanukah is always on the same day in the Hebrew calendar--the 25th of Kislev--it does come very early this year in the secular calendar.  In fact, it begins the night before Thanksgiving, which is why this year many families will be serving latkes along side the sweet potatoes and turkey while celebratingThanksgivukkah. 

Anyway, let's move forward with Chanukah projects.  Here's a fun idea that makes a great gift:

Chanukah-in-a-Jar

There are many variations on recipes in a jar for delicious cookies, soups, natural scrubs, and more. In fact, I've even altered empty tennis ball cans for brownies-in-a-tennis-ball-can recipes.

For this project, I use a clear plastic pail that is 6" tall with a 4" diameter. It has a lid as well as a handle, which lends itself nicely for attaching ribbons and tags.

Gather craft supplies for embellishing the container including printed and solid scrapbook, glitter and gift wrapping paper, ribbon, punches, stamps, ink, tags, charms, metal labels, etc.

Grab some chocolate gelt, a wooden dreidel, matches and any other Chanukah items you choose.

Cut a strip of cardstock 2" x 18". [If using 12" x 12" paper, cut two pieces and tape them together.] Then cut a coordinating piece of your gift wrap or printed paper 1-1/2" x 18."   Using a dry adhesive, tape these two long pieces together. 

Using a 2-1/2" circle punch, cut a circle out of glittery paper. Punch out two smaller circles (I used a scalloped punch, too) from the solid cardstock. Stamp image on smaller circle.

Adhere long strips to pail. Also adhere ribbon to the center of the paper strip, finishing at the same seam as the paper.  Adhere the circles to the pail, covering up the seams.

Cover the inset of the lid with paper with mod podge. When dry, adhere "Chanukah-in-a-Jar" label [which I printed on cardstock] and metal label holder to lid. Using varied textures and widths, cut 6" strands of coordinating ribbon to pail handle.  Tie charm to metal holder.

Stamp "Happy Hanukkah" and "To/From" images to tags.

Measure and cut paper to size of top of dreidel.  Punch a small hole in center of the paper square, which will fit over the dreidel stem. Decoupage.

Then choose the "ingredients" for your jar. I suggest an entire box of 44 menorah candles (enough candles for each night), the large dreidel, matchbox, chocolate gelt and candle blessings.

For the blessings, I printed the Hebrew, transliteration and translation on both sides of a 4" x 6" cardstock, rolled it up and tied it with blue & white twine.

The match box is embellished with cardstock and a stamped image that reads "Happy Hanukkah."

Carefully place the candles and other "ingredients" inside the pail. 

That's it!

Here is the completed Chanukah-in-a-Jar:

If you would like a copy of the blessings document, leave a comment with your email, and I will be glad to send it to you.

Happy Thanksgivukkah everyone!

For additional Chanukah ideas:

Decorative Candle Holders

Adding Color to your Chanukah Decor

Charger turned Menorah Platter

Meet me at these parties and these new ones:

Home Stories AtoZ

Handyman Crafty Woman

Naptime Creations Tasteful Tuesdays

Someday I'll Learn

Pink When DIY Sunday Showcase

 Sew Many Ways Sew Darn Crafty Linky Party

Cedar Hill Farmhouse The Scoop

Display Your Menorah Candles in Style

You might think Chanukah is early this year.  However, it's right on time, like it is every year!  According to the Jewish Calendar, Chanukah is always the 25th day of Kislev, which this year coincides with this coming Saturday, December 8th. 

 

It seems to change every year because the Jewish Calendar takes into account both the cycles of the moon and the sun.  To make up the difference between the solar year, which is 365 days, and the lunar year, which is 354 days, the Jewish Calendar adds one extra "leap month" about 7 times every 19 years.  I agree--that's a lot of math to calculate.  Since it's been awhile since my algebra class, let's just move on to the craft project!

 

It's always wonderful to polish the beautiful silver menorah and dust off the colorful ceramic Chanukiot.  However, have you ever thought how drab the store-bought box of candles looks sitting next to the beautiful menorahs?  

 

Here is a crafty way to display your menorah candles in style. 

 

In addition to a box of Chanukah candles, you will need the following supplies:

 

- Libbey 4" x 4" square glass votive holder
- Scrapbook Paper or Gift Wrap
- Ribbon
- Flowers
- Buttons
- Dreidel or Menorah Charm
- Tag punch or ready-made tags
- Chanukah stamps
- Ink Pad
- Mod Podge & brush
- Strong double-sided adhesive tape

Instructions:

Make a template measuring 1-1/2" wide x 13-1/2" long, creating a slight arch. The paper band must arch to accommodate the width difference between the top and bottom circumference of the glass. Wrap the template around the glass to be sure it fits, overlapping the ends. 

Trace the template onto a 12" x 12" scrapbook paper, angling the template to fit the paper and cut out along your traced markings. To save paper, you can cut two sections and piece them together, adding an extra 1/2" for overlap.

Mod Podge the paper band and let dry. Using good adhesive, adhere band to the glass, gently pulling it taut, and overlap the ends. 

Embellish the candle holder using ribbon, flowers, charms, die cuts and stamped images on punched out tags.

Place the candles inside the glass holder, and you have a beautiful way to display the menorah candles throughout the eight nights.

 

These make wonderful hostess gifts. Wrap the entire candle holder with clear cellophane. Tie with ribbon and a matching tag, and it's ready to go!

And for those of you who like to plan ahead of time, next year we will be eating latkes for Thanksgiving, as the 25th of Kislev falls the day before Turkey Day.  Oy!

For those of you celebrating Chanukah, wishing you and your family a very Happy Chanukah full of beautiful light and miracles!


Sharing this holiday project at these parties:

French Country Cottage
Ginger Snap Crafts
Practically Functional 

Keeping it Simple Crafts
A Bowl Full of Lemons
Sewing Barefoot
I Should be Mopping the Floor
Or So She Says

Twigg Studios
Two Yellow Birds
From my Porch to Yours
SNAP!
Jann Olson
Yesterday on Tuesday
Katherine's Corner
House of Hepworth's
Night Owl Crafting
Mine for the Making
Beyond the Picket Fence
Bloom Designs
One Artsy Mama
Answer is Chocolate
My Repurposed Life
Life as We Know It by Paula
504 Main
The Thriftiness Miss
Craftionary
Serenity Now
I Gotta Create
Crafty Scrappy Happy
Alderberry Hill
Doodles & Stitches
Shaken Together
clean and scentsible
This Gal Cooks
The Chicken Chick
Cupcakes & Crinoline
Three Mango Seeds
It's so Very Cheri
Setting for Four
barns and noodles