Times are tight and tough right now for Rory and me. So, I thought I would do something to remind us that we are still blessed in many ways. There are still things for which we can be happy.
We have long had the tradition of a Christmas Blessings Box. This decorated box sits below our Christmas Tree with Christmassy paper and pens next to it for everyone to write random blessings and place them in the box. We do our big celebrating and gift opening on Christmas Eve, but on Christmas morning (after the excitement of stockings), we settle in next to the tree and read the notes in the Christmas Blessings Box.
I thought it would be a nice idea to turn this long-time holiday tradition into an everyday opportunity. I knew I had seen something on the internet regarding a Happiness Jar and it had reminded me of our Christmas box. I did a search and found lots of photos and even the originator of the idea. Read about Elizabeth Gilbert and her Happiness Jar, here.
Remembering that I had found an old mason jar when cleaning off the shelf over the dryer, I went to find where I had stored it. I grabbed my prize and went to scrub it clean. It had bits of old labeling stuck to it. Have you any idea how to get off those pesky bits? It’s really very simple…vegetable oil! I ran the jar under hot water to heat the leftover labeling and then scrubbed the jar with vegetable oil. The old labeling came easily off the glass.
Now, I had a sparkling jar to decorate. I tied a beautiful floral print bow around it and designed a printable (watch for this Printable DIY as a post soon).
I liked the idea of using a clear Mason jar for my Happiness Jar because you can see the blessings piling up inside. I figure that once a month Rory and I will sit down together and read these happy notes. Long live the Happiness Jar!
Do you have any similar traditions or ideas?
UPDATE: Our Little Happiness Jar Is Full
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~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai 
I keep a gratitude journal and write in it as often as possible. I also keep a gratitude app on my Iphone to remind me.
Oh, those are nice ideas too. I read a blog post this morning by Leanne Chesser, Going On A Gratitude Walk, it was a nice read. You may enjoy it. 🙂
I love it! I offer free classes on nutrition and we are always looking for new ways to inspire our peeps. We will be using this idea for sure!!! Thank you for sharing. P.S. Love the pic too!
I’m glad you love it! Inspiration and positive thinking can go a long way in being healthy. 🙂
Gratitude is the antidote to stress and unhappiness. I think you’ve come up with a beautiful and meaningful way to share those important items with those you love. Great idea!
I couldn’t agree with you more, Lianda. I am definitely looking forward to the opportunities to share this jar with my daughter, Rory. I’m sure it will open many a conversation…
We have a smile jar. We write down anything that makes us smile throughout the year and then look back at them come Christmas time.
Oh, I like that idea! 😀
Nice creative idea. It seems that it would be very inspirational to read these blessings.
I’m glad you like it, and I hope you will be able to use it some how in your life. 🙂
We don’t have a jar but I love this idea. We have so much to be thankful for. I think I’m going to start that tradition with my kids. We only do something similar at Thanksgiving but we have so much to be thankful for all year round. Thanks for sharing.
There is nothing like teaching kids to be grateful! I think children with gratitude are healthier and happier, and it sure helps to keep the horrid trait of entitlement at bay. Let me know how it goes! 🙂
This is such a good idea! I think I am going to have to make one of these soon!
Simple and cheap… a great idea for bringing the family together. thanks for stopping by.
I don’t have anything like this but I love it! The idea of keeping positive things held out in front of us is such a wonderful way to stay positive and grateful (both things that will have such amazing impacts on our happiness.
~Heather @ ExaltedPeacock.com
I totally agree, and I am looking forward to see just how well this works! Join me… 🙂
Great idea! For awhile we would each take turns saying a kind word to someone in the family. It’s really helpful when people haven’t been getting along.
Kind words are a nice idea too, but what I particularly like about the Happiness Jar, is the visual affirmation that we have things to be happy about.
What a great idea and the jar is so pretty too!
Yep…I had the perfect bolt of “happy” ribbon hanging around the house! 🙂
wWat a wonderful idea.
Thanks… Our little jar is getting little scraps in it. It’s kind of fun to see the happy rise! 🙂
Loving your blog Lorelai …. like you I am still on a learning curve in actual fact I think you are way ahead of me lol Have an awesome wknd!
Learning a little bit each day… and having a whole lotta fun doing it. You have a great weekend too! 🙂
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Thanks for the Link Love! I’m very touched by the write-up. 🙂
Awesome Awesome idea!!!!
Thank you…we are truly enjoying ours.
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Lorelai, I love this idea! So many people are having a tough time now and need to be reminded there is beauty in the world anyway. Happiness is a choice. ❤
I agree, Natalie! We are really enjoying our little Happiness Jar. 🙂