Young House Love

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Thanksgiving Craft: A Glass “Thanks Jar”

Updated 2019

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we thought it would be nice to adapt Sherry’s daily gratitude journal habit for a fun holiday craft for the whole family. Rather than keep the things we’re thankful for stuck in our heads or on the page of a journal, what if we put the practice on display during the month of November? Who knows, maybe it will even inspire more gratitude!

Thanksgiving Glass Etching Craft Project For Thanks Jar Progress and After Photo

Craft Supplies To Create Your Own “Thanks Jar”

We got this idea after scoring this awesome 99-cent apothecary jar from the thrift store (it was originally $1.99 but we scored it during a 50% off glassware sale). But you can use any glass vessel you choose, even a regular drinking glass or flower vase!

  • Small glass jar
  • Glass etching cream
  • Small paintbrush
  • Craft knife
  • Printer and printer paper
  • Painter’s tape
  • Colorful cardstock cut small enough to fit in the jar
Thrift store glass apothecary jar for Thanksgiving craft

Obviously you can also create a Thanksgiving “Thanks Jar” without etching your glass vessel, but we’ve been itching to try a glass etching craft ever since seeing this one on How About Orange.

Step 1: Design & Print Your Stencil

We ever-so-creatively (kidding) decided that we wanted to etch the word “thanks” on the base of our jar. So we used our computer to print it out on paper in a simple, blocky font (Helvetica) that was sized perfectly to our jar. You can create this in any word processing software (even a draft email!) just be sure to keep the design simple and stencil friendly.

Step 2: Tape Your Stencil Over Painter’s Tape

Since we really need to stick our stencil tight to the glass, we first had to transfer the design from paper to painter’s tape. So we taped a thick section of green painter’s tape to a cutting board and then scot taped our “thanks” print out over it. I promise this will make more sense in a moment.

Cutting a homemade stencil of the word THANKS on a cutting board with knife

Step 3: Cut Out Your Stencil

With everything taped down, we used an Exacto knife to cut out our letters one by one. Be sure to go deep enough to cut through the painter’s tape too. We decided not to be picky about preserving the hole in the “a.” But we did crack up when Sherry said “I don’t think we need to save the a-hole.” I know, we’re like fifth graders over here.

Homemade paper stencil cut out onto painters tape

Step 4: Apply Your Tape Stencil To Your Glass

With the “stencil” cut, we then disposed of the paper print-out guide and slowly peeled the painter’s tape from the cutting board, being careful not to rip the tape or let it stick to itself. Once it was safely off the cutting board, we stuck it right onto the glass jar. Ta-dah! Tape stencil mission complete.

Painter tape THANKS stencil stuck to side of glass apothecary jar for Thanksgiving craft

The hump in the “h” got a little wonky, but other than that we were pleasantly surprised by how well our makeshift stencil was holding up. And with a couple more strips of tape on the sides (just to be safe) we were ready to apply the etching cream without having to worry about getting it in the wrong places.

Glass etching cream and paintbrush next to glass jar with DIY tape stencil

Step 5: Brush On Your Glass Etch Cream

We picked up this Armour Etch cream for $6.50 at Michael’s (thanks to a 50% off coupon) and broke out this tiny paintbrush to apply it over each of the cut-out letters. The painter’s tape does the job of not letting it seep behind the letters.

Applying glass etch cream to the side of glass apothecary jar for Thanksgiving craft

Step 6: Wait!

The instructions made it unclear how long we should keep the cream on (since that depend son your “stencil” material). But since our tape wasn’t as durable as a vinyl stencil might be, we kept a close eye on the backside of the tape through the glass. We noticed after about 90 seconds that the edges of the tape weren’t looking as crisp as they had been (the etching cream was probably slowly degrading the tape). But the longer you leave it on, the deeper your etch will be.

Step 6: Rinse Off Cream & Remove Stencil

After letting the cream work its magic for about 1.5 minutes, we washed it off in the sink and removed our tape stencil. We had a tiny smidge of bleeding between the “k” and “s” but otherwise it worked out beautifully!

Finished etched glass Thanks Jar With notes of gratitude inside

Step 7: Starting Filling Your Jar With Gratitude!

Sherry cut out several small notecard from Fall-colored scrapbooking paper from Michael’s. Our goal is to write one per day all month long so by November 30th we’ll have accumulated sixty notes of gratitude. Oh, and we have a no peeking policy so we won’t know what each other has written until the end of the month! That should be a fun little family reveal.

“Thanks Jar” Update

Want to see what we ended up writing? Here’s are the results of our inaugural “Thanks Jar” Thanksgiving tradition.

Thanksgiving Thanks Jar gratitude notes spread out on table as part of holiday craft tradition

BONUS: Save Your “Thanks Jar” Notes

We’re also thinking at the end of the month we’ll punch holes in the cards so we can store the collection on a ribbon or a binder ring. That way when we break out our “thanks jar” next year we can relive all of the things that we were grateful for in 2010 and create another collection of things we’re thankful for that year.

Gratitude notes for Thanksgiving saved in binder clips over multiple years

Who knows, it could become a great little family tradition with Clara and future kiddo(s) adding their thanks to the pile when they’re older. And we love that we’ll have a yearly account of everything that we’re grateful for. Kind of like a diary, but less high maintenance since we only have to scribble one small thing down each day for a month.

Update: Our Continued Thanksgiving Tradition

We did end up keeping this tradition for several years and even blogged about it several other times, along with other Thanksgiving crafts and traditions we undertook. Check them out here:

Thanksgiving craft traditions with chalkboard and printable notecard

Do you guys have any fun Thanksgiving traditions? Any glass etching stories of success or horror? An acute attraction to printed scrapbooking paper like my wife? She can’t be the only one who geeks out in the paper aisle.

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

Comments

  1. Lisa says

    I etched a set of cheap wine glasses like you can get (used to get?) at Bed Bath and Beyond 12 for $10 a few months ago. It was so much fun, now my plain cheap wine glasses are my special Passover glasses (I put a Jewish Chai on them.)

    I did use contact paper (the stuff you use to line shelves) and word of advice to anymore trying this: wear plastic gloves and use thick coats. My first glass may not have used enough cream and you could see the brush strokes. This is one case where more is better.

    Reply

  3. Heather says

    LOVE LOVE this. I think that is what our house needs.. a great way to get our 4 year old twins involved too. :)

    We have a 5 month old.. and we have decided when it’s time we are skipping the whole puree food thing and doing soft table food right away.. we’ve done some research and decided it will work best for us. Oh have I mentioned my 5 month old is 20 lbs yep he doesn’t need any food anyways.. mama’s milk is obviously enough – lol.

    Reply

  5. Annamae says

    I love this! I’ve never tried glass etching but it seems easy enough so I might just have to test it out some time. We have a thankfulness jar that we use the same way, I just put stickers on it to spell thanks but I like this idea better. :)
    remembering what you’re thankful for is a wonderful thing!

    Reply

  6. Nik says

    Great project. I will have to try that sometime. I have a question-can you use that stuff on a window? We have a huge 4ft x 4ft window in our master bathroom and for the life of me I cannot figure out why the builder wouldn’t put frosted glass in the bathroom. We have blinds in there now, but it kills so much light. I have been trying to think of a way to frost/etch the window and I don’t really know all my options. Any advice?

    Reply

  7. Christine says

    I love this so much!!! I keep a gratitude journal from time to time but not regularly – usually during particularly rough times when I really need the reminder. But I’ve already been thinking about a gratitude blog, where the posts are just regular posts but they all end with something I’m grateful for… we’ll see, that’s all mixed up with the other blog ideas I’ve got and I need to simmer them down and see what they become!

    Reply

  10. Lyndsey says

    What an awesome jar! I have a lidded glass jar from Michael’s with m&m’s in my kitchen and etching “sweet” on it would be so cool. You guys gave me an awesome project idea for the weekend–Thanks!!

    Sherry, you’re not the only one by a long shot. Printed paper, little notebooks, stationery sets, special markers, anything related to school supplies is enough to send me over the edge. I think it’s in the genes because my son is the same way. He was so excited to start school this year “for the school supplies”. LOL.

    Reply

  12. Samantha VanArnhem says

    I’m a long time follower/first time commenter but after having to think on my feet for an explanation to give my four year old during my laughing fit after reading the “not saving the a-hole” comment I figured why not start now!

    Seriously, we are very close to putting our house on the market so I’m anxiously awaiting all of your tips and tricks to get this baby sold!

    And I love the tip to use tape for this project – never would have thought of it!

    Reply

  17. kelly says

    that is so cute, what a great way to start family traditions!!
    i am also a scrapbook paper fanatic. basic grey being my favorite line. i don’t scrapbook but find all kinds of uses for the paper!!

    Reply

  18. Julie @SavvyEats says

    Love the etched jar–I’ve been wanting to try etching for ages now!

    I am doing a “25 days of the little things” challenge, where I write down one little thing that makes me happy each day until Thanksgiving. I, too, am storing them in a glass jar (though mine is just a plain canning jar with paper covering the top). Love it!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Cadie,

      We’re guessing you might be able to get sheets of vinyl or already-made vinyl stencils at the craft store (like Michael’s) but you could also use contact paper to cut your own out (as other people have mentioned here in the comments). Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  20. Life in Rehab says

    That turned out really cute! Instead of tape, you guys might want to try vinyl contact paper next time. That’s what I use, and it holds up well. Thanks for the tip about taping your template on TOP of the stencil to cut it. That’ll make my next project a breeze.

    Reply

  22. Angie K says

    What a really great idea! I never thought of using tape for something like this, it’s almost a ‘duh’ moment! I have an etching project I’ve been putting off…I think I might get to it!

    Also love the idea of a time-capsule’eque thank you jar. I think I’m stealing this one, my kids are going to love it! :)

    Thanks!

    Reply

  23. Yuliya says

    Starting solids advice…check out http://smittenkitchen.com/baby/ for some inspiration! We just did mushable things like avocado, banana, and roasted sweet potato…we’ve now graduated to chicken in tiny pieces (nine months still no teeth)
    GOOD LUCK!
    And of course, I love the Thanks jar and was considering implementing something along those lines myself.

    Reply

  24. Leslie Ann says

    Hello, I live in Richmond VA as well. I have been meaning to purchase some etching cream, and I was wondering where you found your 50% off coupon.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Leslie Ann,

      We always get a 50% off coupon at the register when we buy something that’s usually good for buying one item the following week. So whenever we’re there getting something crafty we always are sure to save the coupon and go back for something else we’ve been wanting that’s half-price (in this case it was etching cream). Hope it helps!

      xo,s

  25. jbhat says

    I think this is a sweet new tradition to start for your family, and I like that you had no qualms about letting go of the a-hole. Would that all of life’s a-holes were that easy to get rid of.

    jbhat

    Reply

  26. holly @ Goodwill Blogging says

    I had no idea glass etching was possible without a power tool! Oh, you have given me new craft projects to work on. Now I can make monogrammed Christmas presents -beer glasses, small glass trays, etc! Thank you for the how-to!
    p.s. I think the folks over at Paper-Source have the same adoration for colorful paper as Sherry. This weekend, I saw a clerk RUN over to the tissue paper section when a customer tried to pull her own tissue from the selection. I don’t blame them for being protective!

    Reply

  27. Carmen says

    Cute idea!!!! I have the exact same jar, it’s one of my favorites. And good for you for waiting until 6 months to start solids. It’s one of my parenting pet peeves when parents start solids too early. Happy 6 months Clara!

    Reply

  28. nikki says

    I really love the way the jar turned out…I can’t wait to try it! what a great opportunity to reflect as a family the many ways we are blessed…can’t wait to do this and start letting my kiddos fill it up!

    Reply

  30. Elizabeth says

    Helvetica. Have you seen the documentary with the same name? It’s definitely a classic typeface and can be found everywhere, but that’s also why it is one of the most loathed type choices. Probably second behind Comic Sans!

    Reply

  31. Ali says

    Saw the H.A.O. post last week, and plan to etch patterned olive oil bottles that I’ll fill with infused olive oils (gonna try garlic and lemon recipes) for holiday gifts on the cheap. Your jar looks terrific, and I LOVE the new tradition!
    As for solids, our favorite discovery is using the oatmeal cereal (or rice…our babies did better with oatmeal) as a thickener and way to bump up the nutrition profile of the baby purees. We’d add a couple of spoonfuls to liquidy pureed potatoes, applesauce, etc…even the Yo Baby yogurts.
    Take lots of pictures and videos of those first bites!

    Reply

  32. Sayward says

    I love this! I had never even heard of etching cream before, but now I have a whole family of apothecary jars begging for this upgrade. Have you considered etching “cereal” or something onto your glass cereal jars? This would also be a great way to make personalized cups/plates/etc. for your kids one day. I’m picturing personalized glass tumblers in the bathroom holding little toothbrushes.

    I wonder if this would create the same results on colored glass…

    Reply

  33. Witty Wife says

    I love your blog!

    I have a blog that is my ‘marriage project.’ Each day I write about something nice that I want to do for my husband, or something for our marriage. Seems kind of simple, but so many people fall into a rut, so each day I want to keep it top of mind.

    I saw this post and thought this would be great to do for my marriage project. Thank you so much for posting this; what a great idea!

    My husband and I have been married for two years, but have known each other for over ten (we used to work together, then reconnected about 3 1/2 years ago.) We’re all about starting new traditions for our growing little family!

    Thanks!

    Reply

  34. Yevette Shaver says

    Have you bought a highchair yet? I’m looking for something streamline as I have an almost 5 month old and a SMALL kitchen and dining room.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Yevette,

      We actually learned from quite a few varsity mom friends that they preferred a booster seat with a tray (which is just like a high chair, is very easy to travel with and wipe down, is especially inexpensive, and is much easier to store and make room for at the table since it pops onto a chair you already own). Ours is from Fisher Price and is maroon and tan- maybe called the Space Saver Booster or something like that? Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  35. Diane says

    I just love this idea for a tradition to start here at my house. I love the fact that it is visual, instead of having to remember to be thankful, you are reminded by seeing the pretty jar and cheerful colored cards.

    Nice!

    Reply

  37. Rae says

    Love this! we’ve got a rapidly filling-up ‘tree’ on our dining table. My three year old son wants me to write something on the paper for him at least twice a day. The best one was “please write Colin’s name on a paper, because I’m grateful for him. And put a heart on it because I love him.”

    I’m not always about the patterned paper, but I love finding rich color combos with textured solids, It makes me swoon.

    Reply

  39. Stacey says

    Thanks, indeed! You just gave me the best idea for my dear friend’s upcoming 40th bday! I’m going to etch her name on a cute glass jar and have all of her friends and family write something they love about her, or a favorite memory of her, on cards to put in the jar. Who wouldn’t love a little jar of niceties about yourself that you could revisit on bad/low days?!? This could also make an adorable teacher’s gift.

    Thanks so much J & S!!!

    Reply

  40. sarah h says

    really cool jar guys! i love it.
    re: clara starting solids… have you guys ever checked out the book “super baby foods”? it’s really cool and gives you a break down of what your baby’s tummy can handle at different ages. i’ve used it for all 4 of my kiddos and it has been really helpful. here’s the site for the book with all the info. http://www.superbabyfood.com/
    good luck with the solids! :)

    Reply

  43. Chrissie W says

    Starting solids! So much fun. Maybe she can even have sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving =) My only advice is get her used to the bib. My daughter was such a neat eater with the early foods I didn’t bother. But eventually she moved on to things like spaghetti and no one is neat with that, and she absolutely refused bibs! She spent half her first year eating naked and getting hosed off.

    Reply

  44. claire says

    A couple years ago my family started a Thanksgiving Jar. My dad had been talking about it for some time and finally put his idea into motion. The idea behind our jar is to not only write about what we are thankful for… but to go a step further and document times God has been faithful. We also keep it out in our living room all the time (not just around Thanksgiving). This way whenever someone needs encouragement they can reach in the jar and pull out a few papers to read. It is a good way to not only be reminded of what God has done in our lives individually, but as a family as well. And by creating something physical, we are more likely to remember… since we all know how easy it is to forget things.

    P.S. Thanks for sharing this… and honestly… I’m a little jealous of your cute jar :)

    Reply

  45. Lauren says

    Just wanted to suggest reading Baby-Led Weaning before solids. It is NOT about weaning but a theory growing in popularity about skipping purees and starting with table food. We did it and know others who did as well and it worked great. Very healthy, natural and EASY. Worth researching!

    Reply

  49. Tristina says

    My mom has carried on a tradition like this at their house for the past 25 years. Except they have everyone that enters the house write one and then we read them after Thanskgiving dinner. It is always so fun to see what friends and family are thankful for. And yes, even the occasional random person. We have even had a couple thank you notes from the UPS man!

    Reply

  50. Shannon says

    What a great project! And truly what the holidays are about.

    One thing that I do when I am putting away my Christmas ornaments and decorations is I put a note to us in there talking about the holidays and what we did and who we saw, with funny stories, etc. When I go to decorate the next year, it really gets me in the spirit.

    We also each receive from my mother in law each year part of our Christmas collection–I collect “sassy” snowmen and my husband gets a different Clothique Santa. Each year we put a note about what was going on that year. It is do cool to read them as we decorate.

    I am going to start my thanks jar right now! I may just use a cigar box but it’s what inside that counts!

    Reply

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