What can I do with old half gallon Ball canning jars ?

Hmmmmm, Hi Carol :) So the question is begging to be asked "How old ARE your half gallon Ball canning jars?" LOL (well the link below can help you determine the answer to THAT question) :)

http://www.minnetrista.net/blog/2013/06/27/ball-family-history/how-to-date-a-ball-jar/

and what are they worth? http://antiques.lovetoknow.com/value-old-canning-jars

Okay, so now on to your REAL question: what can you do with them? sun tea, hanging light, etc:

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/half-gallon-mason-jars/?lp=true

or how about as a home for a goldfish? or for a terrarium?

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/large-mason-jars/?lp=true

a cookie jar? a table lamp? a night light? a flower vase? pantry storage?

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/gallon-mason-jars/?lp=true

SO MANY ideas, SO FEW jars LOL ... Good Luck and thanks for asking Hometalk for some answers. I hope these sites have helped :)

great storage for dry goods- flour, sugar, cereal , or in the shop....nails screws.

This link has a lot of varied and creative ideas:

http://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g1821/mason-jars/?slide=1

And here are some ideas from here on hometalk:

http://www.hometalk.com/diy/craft-room/craft-supply-storage/mason-jar-storage-shelf-idea-5776121?expand_all_questions=1

http://www.hometalk.com/diy/organize/storage-ideas/mason-jar-paint-storage-7173740?expand_all_questions=1

http://www.hometalk.com/categories/repurposing-from/household-items/mason-jars

Are you a crafter? They are great for storing buttons and other small items. I use mine in my food cupboard to keep crackers, rice, etc. dry and fresh. You could use them on your counters to store coffee, tea bags, etc. How about as coin saving bottles? Storing homemade cleaning supplies in?

For a different decoration fill the jar with colored stones and fairy lights and fill with flowers

Or you can create living terrarium centerpieces or decor. The possibilities are truly endless. From as simple as a place to throw loose change, golf tees, storage for garage odds and ends like nails, screws and roters. Or as complex as adding Edison lightbulbs and creating light fixtures.

I would use them to store dry goods, it would keep all the nasty bugs out and keep it fresher. I also use them for pasta instead of leaving in the boxes or bags. I would not keep nails or coins or that kind of thing in them as when the jar gets heavy the bottom could fall off. I had a gallon wine jug that I kept spare change in for years, I decorated it with pieces of tape and then used brown shoe polish to make it look like leather. One day I picked it up and the bottom fell out. The only saving grace was the masking tape held it together so it didn't shatter. My mom told me about the masking tape and shoe polish idea. She had made a couple for the family room and put artificial flowers, feathers and greens in them. They were really attractive with the décor she had in the room when she put them up on the shelf in a bare spot that needed something. You have to use the paste kind of polish, the liquid does not stick to the tape very well when you wipe off the excess.

In the past, I have made "gifts in a jar" for special people. Holidays are coming up . . . Otherwise I would use for craft storage or baking storage for all the different flours and sugars.

Thx everyone!!

Storage!

Will keep various children's hair accessories in one place.

Great for storing dry goods in the kitchen.

Many people store their weed in glass canning jars for long term storage.

You could can seasonal produce in them, excellent for spaghetti sauce.

Use them for storage in the kitchen or craft room.

Hi Carol: You can drill holes in the bottoms and make hanging lights for the outside. Put solar lights in them. Here's the site that shows how to do that:

How to Make Mason Jar Solar Lights - HGTV Handmade - Bing video

I would use them for storage, anything from Paint, to flour, to maccaroni, sugar. Storage in the garage, nails, screws, or buttons, embroidery thread.

If they are unique jars see if they are worth anything.