Unusual Jam Jars That Add That Extra Special Something to Your Jams and Other Preserves
If you are making preserves for gifts for family and friends or to put into the local shows sometimes you want something a little extra special and also a little different. This is where using unusual jam jars can add that little something extra to show off your jams and chutneys etc.
Sometimes it is the shape that makes them different, others it is the lid or the glass itself. Sometimes it is a combination of elements. Do not overlook the addition of the preserves themselves and how they will look in the actual jars.
Many of the main jar makers do lovely ranges of both modern and traditional style jars. Some are quite unusual and are based on shapes other than the traditional circle.
Diamond Designed Crystal Fancy Jam Jars are Great for Gift Giving
These jars are quite beautiful. My sister has some of these Ball jars. They have a very unique diamond design on the glass which makes them immediately stand out. She used them for her prize-winning marmalade at a local show last year. I ddoidn’t get them at that time as didn’t want the same design as hers for the show.
These jars look really lovely when filled with jams or chutneys. Add a pretty lid cover and label and you have something really special.
These are great as you can wash them in the dishwasher and the glass is also safe to use in a microwave.
At 240 ml with a height of 10cm, they are a good size for gifts as well. You can also get 135ml shorter chunky ones.
As with any metal lids, you have to be careful to dry them thoroughly as the metal may rust.
Beautiful Ball Quilted Crystal Preserving Glass Lidded Jam Gift Jars 240ml x 6
Elegant Orcio Glass Jam Jars Based on Traditional Vase Shapes
It is the unusual shape that is the most striking and draws the eye. It is beautifully flowing. The jar is based on the traditional shape of the Orcio vase. These would have been originally handmade in terracotta. It even sports the tiny handles that the originals would have had.
These make great containers for jams, candles, chutneys and are really very good for wedding favours.
Made by the Bottle company, these come in a variety of sizes including 314ml, 212ml, 106ml with a beautiful gold lid.
Kilner Hexagonal Clip Top Spice Jars 90ml
These are just so cute! Kitchen craft do very slightly larger jars at 100ml. They are meant for spices but are also ideal for small amounts of jams and chutneys for gift baskets or stockings etc.
I looked everywhere for bigger ones but have yet to find larger ones in a hexagonal design with the clips. You can get them with normal lids but it seems not the clips, or you can get larger jars with the clips but a different shape.
Hexagonal Clip Top Spice Jars 90ml x 12 - Herb Jars, Kilner Preservation Jars,
You can get these individually or in packs of 12; it is far more economical to get the packs.
Can You Use Vintage Jam Jars for Preserving?
Vintage jars are truly unique and unusual. However, there are a few issues if you want to use them for preserving. You should not use the lids or the old seals so they would need to be replaced anyway. The old glass may be fragile or may have bubbles in so may not take to the heat well or there well may be unseen flaws in the glass.
Taking all this into consideration perhaps, for vintage jars for actually making of preserves it would be better to buy ones in a traditional style rather than using a vintage jar themselves for actual jam making.
Kilner are very traditional and as the started in 1842 you get the history and the tradition and also the modern quality all rolled into one.
This jar is very similar to the old vintage ones. The shape is the same as is the lid which comes in two parts and is screw topped.
Buy getting a new jar you have the guarantee of an airtight container with the style of an old country kitchen.
These come in 1000ml and 500ml sizes and can be bought individually or in packs and are ideal for all your preserves.
Kilner 0.5 Litre a Genuine Screw Top Jar (Pack of 6)
Kilner jars are a great way to go vintage without actually having to have a vintage jam jar. Andrew James and Kitchen Craft also have a good traditional range of jars that you can use. I’ve not used Argon jars but they look like a good range and are quite popular with good reviews and look good value for money.
Other Ways to Make Your Jam Jars Look Unique and Special
Remember though that sometimes a normal jar can look just as lovely with a bit of thought added to the external decoration. If you create or buy a pretty lid cover, a tie and a matching label it can really make you jam stand out. If you are them putting it in a basket with other preserves all dressed the same it will look really stunning.
As you can see from this picture a simple way of dressing that complements the jar and the contents can make your jar very unusual indeed.
In Conclusion
There is a lot of variety out there and a lot of styles to choose from. It depends on taste and what you want your overall look to be. With the addition of lid covers and labels and not to forget the contents and colour, the finished preserves can be quite unique and look amazing.
There are other designs, however here I have chosen those that seem to be the most different than the traditional jars you get in the supermarkets. I hope that this gives you some ideas and inspiration for future displays.
