Easy Mason Jar Cups Tutorial

Using mason jars/canning jars as glasses has been a trend for several years now.  Nothing new there.  But when I use them for a party, especially if there are kids around, I like to take it one step further and make my own custom lids.

I've done these using just scrapbook paper, and it doesn't work all that well.  The paper gets soggy and collapses more quickly than I'd like.  I want the lids to last the whole party.  So today, I'm sharing the secret of how I figured out to make these cute little scrapbook paper lids last, so you can turn mason jars into sippy cups with confidence that they'll make it to the end of the night.

Materials and Equipment for Mason Jar Sippy Cups:

• mason jars with screw on rings
• scrapbook paper
• freezer paper
• iron
• scissors
• pencil
• hole punch or sharp knife

The material that makes this all possible is Freezer Paper.  There's a shiny side and a dull side; the shiny side is coated with a thin layer of plastic that will act as a barrier and keep the pretty paper safe from beverages inside the jar.

Cut a piece of freezer paper to the size of your scrapbook paper.  Put the shiny side of the freezer paper together with the wrong side of the scrapbook paper, and use your iron to fuse the two together.

Ironing the freezer paper to the scrapbook paper actually does double duty:  it not only waterproofs the pretty paper, but it makes it more sturdy, and absolutely perfect for use as a lid.

Trace around the lip of the jar to create circles the perfect size for your mason jar sippy cups.

Use a hole punch or a very sharp knife to poke a hole for the straw, place the paper lid on the cup, and screw the ring on top.  Add the straw, and you have a gorgeous, rustic-chic glass in which to serve beverages!

An easy way to add a little extra character is to tie a scrap of fabric or ribbon around the jar.  It only takes a few seconds, but adds fun color and an extra decorative element.  

I love that I can re-use the jars for so many purposes (cups, favors, vases--and, oh yeah, canning!) and not throw away a lot of ugly paper cups at the end of a party.  They're a great investment for less than $1 each.