Christmas Treat Jars: 15 Santa, Snowman and Reindeer Jars That Make the Sweetest Neighbor Gifts

Christmas treat jars are the sweetest little gifts you can make this season, and they cost only a few dollars each. Picture your neighbor opening the door to find a jolly Santa jar filled with peppermints, or a chubby snowman stuffed with marshmallows waiting on the step. Kids and grown ups can make these together at the kitchen table with paint, felt, ribbon and a few pom poms. Save empty jars from pasta sauce and jam, wash them well, peel the labels and you are ready to go. Each jar takes about half an hour, and once the paint dries you simply fill it with candy, cookies or nuts. Below you will find a whole cast of cheerful characters, from reindeer and elves to a little cardinal, plus easy tips for each one..

Christmas Treat Jars: Meet the Whole Character Crew

Line up a row of these and your kitchen instantly looks like a holiday shop window. A red Santa, a white snowman, a brown reindeer, a black and white penguin and a gingerbread friend all stand side by side, each one filled with bright candy. Facebook reels of jars like these have pulled in tens of thousands of reactions this season, and it is easy to see why. They are cheap, quick and so cute that nobody wants to eat the candy at first. Which character will you paint first..

You will need: five clean glass jars with lids, acrylic paint in red, white, brown, black and tan, paint brushes, black ribbon, gold card stock, red pom pom, brown pipe cleaners, white puffy paint, candy to fill

How to make it: 1. Paint each jar in its base color with two or three thin coats, leaving a window clear if you want the candy to show. 2. Add faces, belts and details with a small brush once the base is dry. 3. Fill with candy, close the lids and tie on a kraft tag.

Santa Belt Treat Jar

This is the jar that started the whole Christmas treat jars trend, and it is the easiest of all. A red jar gets a wide black belt and a shiny gold buckle, and the lid gets a ring of white pom poms that looks like Santa’s fluffy trim. Fill it with red and white peppermints so the colors match the outfit. It makes a perfect little thank you for a mail carrier or a bus driver. Could you make a whole row of these in one afternoon?

You will need: glass jar, red acrylic or chalk paint, black felt or wide black ribbon, gold glitter card stock, white mini pom poms, craft glue, peppermint candies

How to make it: 1. Paint the jar red and let it dry fully. 2. Glue a strip of black felt around the middle and add a square buckle cut from gold card stock. 3. Glue white pom poms around the lid rim and fill with peppermints.

Christmas Treat Jars: Snowman Full of Marshmallows

Christmas treat jars do not get softer or cuter than this snowman. A plain glass jar filled with mini marshmallows turns white all by itself, so you only need to add a face. Draw coal dot eyes and a smile on the glass, stick on an orange felt carrot nose and tie a plaid scarf around the neck. A tiny felt top hat on the lid finishes the look. Pair it with a packet of cocoa and it becomes the coziest gift on the street. Who on your list loves a warm mug on a snowy night?

You will need: clear glass jar, mini marshmallows, black paint pen, orange felt, plaid fabric strip, black felt and a small cardboard circle for the hat, craft glue

How to make it: 1. Fill the jar with marshmallows and close the lid. 2. Draw eyes and a dotted smile on the glass with a paint pen and glue on the felt carrot nose. 3. Tie on the scarf and glue a small felt top hat onto the lid.

Reindeer Jar With Pipe Cleaner Antlers

Kids go wild for this one because they get to bend the antlers themselves. Brown pipe cleaners twist into branches in seconds and glue right onto the lid. Fill the jar with round chocolate candies so the whole jar looks brown, then add googly eyes and a big red pom pom nose. A tiny jingle bell on a ribbon makes it ring when someone picks it up. It is a fun gift for a classmate or a coach. Will your reindeer have a red nose or a shiny gold one?

You will need: glass jar, round chocolate candies, 2 brown pipe cleaners, large googly eyes, red pom pom, small jingle bell, red ribbon, craft glue

How to make it: 1. Fill the jar with chocolate candies and close it. 2. Twist each pipe cleaner into an antler shape and glue them to the lid. 3. Glue on the eyes and nose and tie the bell on with ribbon.

Elf Jar With a Felt Hat Lid

A pointy green elf hat turns any small jar into a cheeky little helper. Cut a felt cone, add a striped red and white cuff and a white pom pom on the tip, then slip it over the lid. Two tiny felt ears glued to the sides of the jar make everyone smile. Fill it with green and red gumdrops so the colors pop through the glass. These are lovely on a dessert table or as place card gifts at Christmas dinner. How many little elves can you fit on one tray?

You will need: small glass jar, green felt, red and white striped felt or ribbon, white pom pom, light green felt for ears, gumdrops, hot glue gun (adult help)

How to make it: 1. Cut a half circle of green felt, roll it into a cone and glue the seam. 2. Glue the striped cuff around the base and the pom pom on top, then glue the hat to the lid. 3. Add felt ears to the jar and fill with gumdrops.

Christmas Treat Jars: The Gingerbread Man

Christmas treat jars that look good enough to eat are always a hit, and this gingerbread man is the sweetest of them all. Paint the jar a warm tan brown, then pipe on white icing squiggles with puffy paint for arms and legs. Two red dots make buttons and a little smile finishes the face. Fill it with mini gingerbread cookies and tie a red gingham ribbon around the lid. It looks like it came straight from a bakery. Who could you surprise with a jar like this one?

You will need: glass jar, tan or light brown acrylic paint, white puffy paint, red paint, black paint pen, red gingham ribbon, mini gingerbread cookies

How to make it: 1. Paint the jar tan and let it dry. 2. Add white puffy paint squiggles, red button dots and a face, and let it dry flat overnight. 3. Fill with cookies and tie the ribbon on the lid.

Penguin Jar in a Knit Hat

This little penguin always gets the biggest awww at a gift swap. Paint the jar black, leaving a big white oval belly, then add a tiny orange beak and two felt feet at the bottom. The secret is the hat: cut the cuff off an old kids sock or a baby beanie and pull it over the lid. Fill the top with white and blue candies so it feels icy and fresh. It is a sweet idea for a winter birthday too. Would you add a tiny scarf as well?

You will need: glass jar, black and white acrylic paint, orange felt, a red knit sock cuff or baby hat, white and blue candies, craft glue

How to make it: 1. Paint a white oval on the front, then paint the rest of the jar black. 2. Glue on an orange felt beak and feet. 3. Fill with candy and stretch the knit hat over the lid.

Fluffy Polar Bear Jar

Soft, white and fuzzy, this polar bear begs to be picked up. Wrap the jar in a strip of white faux fur, glue on two round felt ears at the lid and add a black button nose. Fill it with white yogurt covered pretzels so it looks snowy from top to bottom, then tie a pale blue satin ribbon around the neck. It is a calm, wintry change from all the red and green. Pretty for a friend who loves cozy blankets and quiet mornings, right?

You will need: glass jar, white faux fur strip, white felt and pink felt for ears, black button, black paint pen, light blue ribbon, yogurt covered pretzels, hot glue gun (adult help)

How to make it: 1. Glue faux fur around the jar, leaving the lid free. 2. Glue on felt ears at the top and a button nose and eyes on the front. 3. Fill with pretzels and tie the blue ribbon.

Christmas Treat Jars: Pom Pom Christmas Tree

Christmas treat jars can be little decorations too, and this pom pom tree proves it. Glue rows of small green pom poms onto a tall jar in a tree shape, wider at the bottom and narrow at the top. Tiny colored pom poms become ornaments and a felt star sits proudly on the lid. Fill it with mixed candy so bits of color peek through the branches. Set it on the mantel and it doubles as decor until the candy runs out. Could this be your new favorite mantel piece?

You will need: tall glass jar, about 60 small green pom poms, a handful of tiny colored pom poms, gold felt, craft glue, mixed candy

How to make it: 1. Glue green pom poms onto the jar in a triangle tree shape, starting at the bottom. 2. Dot colored pom poms over the tree as ornaments. 3. Glue a gold felt star to the lid and fill with candy.

Mrs Claus Apron Cookie Jar

Mrs Claus deserves her own jar, and this one is full of her famous sugar cookies. Sew or glue a tiny red apron with a white ruffle and a little pocket, then tie it around the jar. A circle of white lace on the lid looks just like her baking cap. Tuck a small wooden spoon into the apron string with a bit of twine. It is a charming gift for a grandma, a teacher or the neighbor who always bakes for everyone. Who is the Mrs Claus in your life?

You will need: glass jar with lid, red fabric scrap, white ruffle trim, white lace circle, small wooden spoon, twine, fabric glue, sugar cookies

How to make it: 1. Cut a small apron shape from red fabric and glue ruffle trim along the edge, plus a pocket. 2. Tie the apron around the jar with twine and slip the spoon in. 3. Fill with cookies and cover the lid with lace.

Nutcracker Soldier Jar Full of Nuts

A nutcracker jar filled with nuts is a little joke everyone gets right away. Paint a red jacket around the middle of a tall jar with gold dots for buttons and a black belt. Leave the top half clear so the nuts show through, then paint on rosy cheeks and a big white mustache. A tall black felt hat on the lid makes him stand at attention. It is a perfect gift for the snack lover in the family. Which nuts would you pack inside yours?

You will need: tall glass jar, red, black, white and gold acrylic paint, black felt and a cardboard tube for the hat, mixed nuts

How to make it: 1. Paint a red jacket band and black belt around the lower half of the jar and add gold buttons. 2. Paint the face and mustache on the upper half and let it dry. 3. Make a felt covered tube hat for the lid and fill the jar with nuts.

Christmas Treat Jars: A Bright Red Cardinal

Christmas treat jars do not have to be Santa and snowmen, and this cardinal is a lovely surprise. Red cardinals are a winter favorite in American backyards, so this jar feels both festive and homey. Paint a round jar bright red, add a small black mask and an orange felt beak, then glue felt wings on each side and a pointed crest on the lid. Fill it with chocolate candies. It looks so pretty on a snowy windowsill. Do you get cardinals visiting your yard in winter?

You will need: round glass jar, red acrylic paint, black paint, orange and red felt, chocolate candies, craft glue

How to make it: 1. Paint the jar red, leaving a small clear window if you like. 2. Paint a black mask on the front and glue on an orange felt beak. 3. Glue red felt wings to the sides and a crest on the lid, then fill with candy.

Ornament Lid Jars

This is the fastest of all the Christmas treat jars in this list, and one of the fanciest looking. Glue a shiny Christmas ball ornament right on top of each lid, then tie a plaid or satin bow around the neck. Fill the jars with peppermints, gumdrops and ribbon candy for a candy shop look. A set of three in red, gold and silver looks expensive on a buffet. Plastic shatterproof ornaments are best so nothing breaks. Why not make a set for every room?

You will need: glass jars with flat lids, shatterproof ball ornaments, strong craft glue, plaid and satin ribbon, mixed hard candy

How to make it: 1. Remove the ornament hanger caps if you like and glue each ornament to the center of a lid. 2. Let the glue set for an hour. 3. Fill the jars with candy and tie a bow around each neck.

Mini Jar Ornaments for the Tree

Tiny jars can hang right on the tree as gifts for guests to take home. Fill little spice or sample jars with sprinkles and mini candies, top each lid with a red or green pom pom and tie a loop of twine around the neck. They sparkle under the tree lights and make a sweet party favor at the end of the night. Kids love picking their own jar off the branches. Want a fun way to say thank you to every guest?

You will need: mini glass jars with lids, sprinkles and mini candies, small pom poms, red twine, craft glue

How to make it: 1. Fill each mini jar with sprinkles or candy and close it tightly. 2. Glue a pom pom on top of each lid. 3. Tie a twine loop around the neck and hang on the tree.

Christmas Treat Jars for Teachers

Christmas treat jars make the easiest teacher gifts, and this apple topper says thank you in the sweetest way. Glue a bright red felt apple with a green leaf on the lid, then tie a ruler and a yellow pencil to the side with ribbon. Fill it with red and green chocolate candies and add a kraft tag with a handwritten note from your child. For more ideas like this, browse our Christmas gifts in a jar, or read about the classic mason jar that started it all. Which teacher will smile the biggest?

You will need: glass jar, red and green felt, wooden ruler, pencil, red ribbon, kraft paper tag, red and green chocolate candies, craft glue

How to make it: 1. Cut two felt apple shapes and a leaf, glue them together over a little stuffing and glue to the lid. 2. Tie the ruler and pencil to the jar with ribbon. 3. Fill with candy and add a handwritten tag.