I realized that in the process of planning a wedding, we brides-to-be constantly have these BRILLIANT ideas that absolutely, positively, seriously need to be done for the wedding.
And so the story goes…One day, I had this wonderful idea to reuse and recycle baby-food jars. I asked my friend to save me all the empty baby-food jars from her baby girl so that I could make them into little lanterns and hang them around the venue.
A few weeks later, she dropped off the baby-food jars at my place. An entire box full of them. And that’s exactly where they’ve been sitting for the past several months.
Turns out that our venue has a candle package where they light up 250+ candles to surround the perimeter of the reception hall, so there was really no need to make those lanterns.
Another opportunity to use the baby-food jars arose when I hosted a baby shower for another friend. I thought I could make candles as party favors. Thought was the key word.
But plan-B failed. (No pun intended.)
So it was back to the drawing board…in this case, the corner where the jars sat. Each day they linger around, Mr. French Toast’s eyes glare at me every time he sees the jars sitting there, untouched. (Sidenote: How come SOs just don’t understand the dire need to have items ready just in case you need them?)
On Sunday, I finally had a revelation. We went to brunch with my brother and his family at Park Chow in San Francisco, and the server gave my niece a coloring pad with some crayons in a Mason jar.
And I realized…since we’re having kids at the wedding, I could print out coloring books and put crayons in the baby-food jars! Ta-da!!
This site also has download-able wedding-related images for kids to color. *fist bump*
My “brilliant” idea didn’t go unused after all. While it may not be exactly original, at least Mr. French Toast doesn’t have to glare at me anymore. My mom always told me when I was little that if you do the beady-eyed stare too often, your eyes will stay fixed that way. Should I tell Mr. French Toast that?
Tell me, hive—any brilliant “original” wedding ideas?
Oh my, I feel you on the “jars in the corner”… I’ve been rabidly collecting interesting jars and bottles for the past couple of months for centerpieces and candleholders. I USED to have a very roomy kitchen island.. haha 
The babyfood jars is a very cute idea though!
You see candles in mason jars all the time, but never baby food jars. Interesting idea, can’t wait to see how it comes together!
I’ve also seen the baby food jars use for a cupcake favor. How perfect for a wedding or shower. After you stuff yourself more than you promised yourself you would and question why you didn’t wear elastic waisted pants or a loser dress, you sometimes don’t have room for the cake. The cake you were going to save your daily calorie count and appitate for your suddenly affraid to look at. Like the bully on the grade school playground. If I don’t make eye contact maybe she won’t see you. So this cupcake in a jar idea allows for the guest to take it home and save it for latter. And it’s way cutter than the white cupcake boxes you can buy at Michaels. Hey it adds to your decoration list. Check this link out to see it done with red velvet cake. It looks not only tasty but beautiful as well.
http://betterinfrench.com/archives/2010/spring-garden-party/
cute idea! won’t the crayons be too big for the jars, though?
You can also use them for Chirstmas decorations. Drill some holes in plywood, paint, attach jars and fill with lights. I have only seen them used as large outside decorations.
I had to laugh at your statement about SOs not understanding the need to have things ready at a moment’s notice… one time I scored about 1000 cotton balls for free, and my FH was insistent that I keep about 100 and then pitch the rest, since it would likely take me a lifetime to use all 100 that I DID keep. It pained me greatly to not have all 1000 of those cotton balls at my beck and call
you ladies are the best! I love the cupcake in a jar idea! maybe I can do that as my bridal shower favors
I used recycled baby jars to make candles for all of our decor for the wedding. People thought I was crazy when I told them the idea, but then I got so many compliments after the fact – and it was way cheaper then buying votive holders and votive candles.
Wow, I love both ideas. Great job at the creativity Miss French Toast!
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spray paint the lids and hot glue a silk flower to them. the dollar tree has cute daisys that are cheap and cute, you could even use glass etching cream to engrave the sides of the jars and fill them with wrapped life savers . or make candles and use a nail and punch the lid in a heart shape. it works as a light plate but you would be smart to warn your guests the lids will get hot.
Mrs. French Toast, Pleasanton, CA Age and Occupation: 29, Marketing & PR Fiance's Age and Occupation: IT geek by day, self-proclaimed handyman by night Engagement Date: October 2009 Wedding Date: March 2011 Venue: Palm Event Center About Me: I’m a city girl at heart who moved to the suburbs a year ago. Now I’m adjusting to life with a front lawn, nosy neighbors, cooking attempts, and making sure the garbage pail is pulled out on time every week! When I’m not traveling, Mr. FT and I enjoy marathon sessions of Law & Order: SVU, snowboarding, photography, spoiling our 3-year old yorkie-poodle Mokka and disagreeing over what music to listen to in the car. We’re planning a small winery wedding while incorporating some cultural elements into the day as a nod to our Chinese backgrounds.
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