This is a really fun project for the New Year! Even though we are about a week and a half into 2016, it’s not too late to start this! You can put it together in an hour or less, and it’s never too late to count your blessings, so let’s get started….
I have been seeing Journal Jars and Joy Jars all over the internet, Facebook and Pinterest. I thought it was a wonderful idea! I really want to document the good things and blessing in my life- but how many times have I started a journal, only to fall off track just a few days or week into it, simply because I didn’t have time to sit and write a page or even or a paragraph? Or didn’t feel like pulling out my journal and making a “big thing” of writing stuff down? This is a great way to note and acknowledge the good little things (and sometimes really BIG things) that happen in our everyday lives. Anything that brings a little joy and light into your life can go into the jar. It doesn’t require a big commitment- just grab a piece of paper and jot things down as they happen or as you think of them. I look forward to seeing my jar get fuller and fuller through the year! And as you do this more and more, it’s amazing how much easier it becomes to find the good things in life, little things that we tend to take for granted. As you start noticing these things, you become more at peace and happy. You will start to LOOK for good things to put in your jar!
Some things to jot down for your jar might include: finding a good parking place at the mall, a sunny day, a chirping bird, an affectionate pet that brightens your day, safe travel for you or a loved one, finishing a project, starting a project, finding the perfect fabric, a phone call from a friend, discovering a wonderful new café, getting new shoes, getting the promotion, winning the lottery… lots of things, big and small….
I really wish that someone had come up with this idea (or that I’d known about it) when my kids were little. What a fun way to teach our children about gratitude and positivity!!
I’ve created a FREE printable sheet for you to make a tag for your jar- choose the one that speaks to your heart!
You will need:
- *A quart sized jar (you could also use a special box, basket, or other container). I had a vintage Mason Jar with zinc lid in the cupboard ju
st waiting to be put to good use!
- *Cute cup, box, or basket to hold your pieces of paper
- *White paper or cardstock
- *Scrapbooking papers (not necessary- but really fun)
- *Twine or string
- *Double sided tape
- *Scissors, colored pencils, black marker, hole punch, paper cutter (optional)
Print out the tag sheet onto white paper or cardstock. If you want, you can color it with colored pencils. Cut out a tag just outside the line. Hint- you can use a black marker to darken up any white edges left on the tag after you cut it out.
You can leave the tag like this if you want. I used double sided tape to attach it to a piece of scrapbooking paper and then cut out the scrapbooking paper, leaving a little border. Punch a hole in the tag.
Cut several pieces of paper (either plain white paper or scrapbooking paper) into rectangles using scissors or a paper cutter. This is important- you want those pieces of paper easily accessible and ready to grab when you want to jot down something for your jar. The idea is that this is a quick and easy way to add special memories to your collection- if you have to hunt for a little piece of paper, you will put it off and not do it! Place them in a cute cup or other container.
Use twine or string to attach the tag to the jar.
Try to add at least one thing to your jar every day. This will help you build a “gratitude habit.” Some days will be easier than others! Some days you will have many things to add to the jar, and you may have days where you struggle to find one thing to add to the jar. That’s OK- remember, the smallest things still deserve gratitude. If all you can come up with is that you managed to get out of bed today, write it down :)
At the end of the year, take some time, either by yourself or with your loved ones, empty the jar, and reflect on all of the GOOD things from the previous year. You can put all of the pieces of paper in an envelope and label the envelope with the year.
Click here for FREE printable tags.
You are so sweet! A Big Thank you!
What a great idea. Thanks.
Thanks, that’s a great idea for helping develop gratitude.
Years ago I used this idea and made my own jar journal but not as nice as yours but I loved the idea and been meaning to use it and the time has arrived as iam having a Fall Spa Day this weekend and this is the idea I want to introduce and give to the ladies coming and iam soo excited!! It’s a great idea!!! Thank you and I even printed your free labels to tag on to the pretty jars I brought ❤ 😊
What a positive and great idea! Going to make one for all my granddaughters. They will love this. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for the wonderful idea.
Thank you for your ideas. It is always fun to see the positive and realize how many blessings we have.
Happy New Year to you.
Thank you this is a wonderful Idea! I am going to give it a go!! Hugs
This is a wonderful idea. I am starting now.
This is a great idea!
These jar tags would also make cute gift tags too!!
I am making forty different ones for gifts. I love the little container with the papers. i have many papers i can cut out for that. Great idea!!
Thank You Jacqueline. A great idea for as I know only too well—Tomorrow with a loved one, friend, neighbour, mail lady, trash man, the UPS & FEDX Drivers may never see another sunrise or our happy smile.
Again, Thank You Jacqueline. (I really needed this thoughtfulness today!) Put that on your reminder paper for the jar–
Love the journal jar idea. Thank you. Going to use the idea. It will be a pick me up.
Thank you so much for this! I work with grieving children, teens and their families and plan on using this idea for our Holiday celebration or the first meeting of the new year. We will call them Family Blessing Jars, so that everyone in the family can participate, both with writing down positive moments and with reading them together at the end of the year.
Your print button isn’t working, super cute idea though!
Thank you for a wonderful idea! I really need to focus more on being thankful and the good things that are happening. This is a simple yet very meaningful way to help keep me focused on being thankful.
Thank you for the idea! I’m making one for my daughter and granddaughter. They will need it this year.
Thank you Jacquelynne. Very thoughtful idea to share.
Thank you Jacquelynne. I have a jar just like that . I always wondered what to do with it Now I know. I’m going to do this.
good idea! thank you, Jacquelynne.
That’s a great idea. I love to journal and have for years. I going to try this in addition to my journaling—I love to write😊. I’m also going to give to 3 ladies I’m close to and at the end of 2022 we will get together bringing our jars to share some of our days. I’ll update you how it’s going.