Christmas in a Jar #CreativeHop

Ahhhh… Christmas Time. Isn’t it a magical time? Do you remember how you celebrated Christmas when you were younger? Christmas at home in Germany was beautiful. I miss it dearly, the sights, the sounds and all the different Christmas traditions.

We have many traditions like Advent Season, we celebrate Advent starting the last Sunday in November all the way to Christmas Eve. Each Sunday leading up to Christmas Eve we burn a candle, enjoy some homemade cookies and spending lots of time with family. We also have beautiful Christmas Markets that are open all advent season long. Walking around enjoying the treats and the little gifts you can buy for your loved ones. The smell is what always makes me feel that Christmas is in the air and since I’m in Florida, I really miss that magical time of the year that I grew up with.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Florida, but Christmas time in the 90’s isn’t really all that magical. So this year I decided to bring home the Christmas Market smell that I miss so much and reminds me of Christmas.

It’s easy to make and it would make for easy gifts to give to teachers and friends as well. Check out below how I made my Christmas in a Jar so I can enjoy the smell of Christmas at my home in Florida.

This is what you need:

• 1 Large Mason Jar or Glass Jar
• 1 Orange, cut into slices (if you give it as a gift, don’t cut the Orange)
• 1 Lemon, cut into slices (if you give it as a gift, don’t cut the lemons)
• Star of Anise
• Cloves
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Cranberries
• All Spice
• Ginger
• Nutmeg
• Water

This is how to make it: Place all your ingredients into the Mason Jar, fill up with water. Voila, your Christmas Jar is ready.

That’s it! Simple as that. The only thing you have to cut are the oranges and lemons, but if you give the jars as a gift, I would keep them whole and put them in the jars that way with a note how to make Christmas in a Jar.

I found all the spices at my local Walmart, in the ethnic section. The best part, each spice was $0.69!! Can’t get any better then that. Now some people like to simmer it all on the stove, but I’m busy and don’t have time to babysit a pot on the stove to make sure the water doesn’t evaporate too quickly or to fill up the water. I love to use candle warmers and that’s perfect for your Christmas in a Jar. Put your Mason jar on top of the Candle warmer, turn it on and don’t worry about it  for a while. Even if the water evaporates, it won’t cause any harm, at least not as much as the stove would.

Wasn’t this fun? I love to put one of these jars in each of the rooms we hang out in during the holiday season, very affordable, long lasting scent and all natural, no chemicals at all.

Now you know a little bit how it smells like at the Christmas Markets in Germany. Enjoy the holiday season, take your loved ones and spend lots of quality time with them. For more fun ideas be sure to check out a few of my favorite bloggers below. Our #CreativeHop for the month is all about Christmas. We even have a #CreativeHop Pinterest Board, so come over and follow along.

• Cranberry Stove Top Potpourri Recipe by Confessions of an Overworked Mom
• Christmas Practice Writing Sheets by A Mom’s Take
• Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Drizzle by Mom Does It All
• Ornament Christmas Tree Picture by Simply Southern Mom
• Winter Wonderland Peppermint Playdough by Food Fun Family
• Easy Challah Bread Rolls from Your Bread Machine by Day By Dy In Our World
• DIY Christmas Mouse Ornaments by Blessed Elements
• Homemade Cinnamon Snowflake Ornament by MommaDJane
• Graham Cracker Reindeer by This Mama Loves
• DIY Glittered Christmas Ornaments by How Was Your Day?
• Peppermint Bath Salts by Style on Main
• DIY Advent Calendar by Upstate Ramblings
• Cream Cheese Biscuit Puffs by Jennifer Sikora