The humble mason jar has evolved from a simple canning vessel to an essential element in outdoor entertaining. As both a garden designer and interior architect, I’ve witnessed firsthand how these versatile glass containers can transform ordinary outdoor gatherings into memorable experiences. This guide will explore creative ways to incorporate mason jars into your outdoor spaces, whether for intimate garden dinners or grand backyard celebrations.
The Versatility of Mason Jars
Mason jars come in various sizes and styles, making them perfect for countless applications in outdoor entertaining. When designing outdoor spaces for clients, we often recommend mason jars for their durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal.
I first discovered the magic of mason jars while designing an outdoor wedding reception on a limited budget. What began as a cost-saving measure quickly revealed itself as a design revelation that I’ve incorporated into countless projects since.
Types of Mason Jars and Their Best Uses
| Size | Common Name | Best Outdoor Applications | Durability Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 oz | Jelly Jar | Votive holders, Individual desserts | High |
| 8 oz | Half Pint | Drinking glasses for children, Small flower arrangements | High |
| 16 oz | Pint | Standard drinking glasses, Medium flower arrangements | Very High |
| 32 oz | Quart | Lanterns, Utensil holders, Centerpieces | Very High |
| 64 oz | Half Gallon | Punch containers, Statement pieces | High |
The classic blue Ball mason jars, with their distinctive teal glass, add a particularly charming touch to outdoor settings. Their color was originally believed to extend the life of preserved foods by blocking sunlight, but today they serve as coveted decorative pieces that command premium prices at antique stores.
Illuminating Your Outdoor Space
Hanging Flower Mason Jar Lanterns
One of my favorite outdoor lighting techniques involves transforming mason jars into hanging luminaries. These suspended jars create a magical atmosphere as evening falls.
How to create hanging flower mason jar lanterns:
1. Remove the lid and ring from the mason jars
2. Cut 12-16 inches of paper twine
3. Tie one end of the twine around a mason jar ring securely
4. Tie the other end on the opposite side to create a hanger
5. Thread the ring onto the mason jar (hold the twine in place to prevent lopsided hanging)
6. Fill each jar with water and flowers or battery-operated LED tea lights
7. Hang at varying heights for visual interest
When designing an evening garden party for a client in the Pacific Northwest, we lined their cedar-enclosed patio with these hanging lanterns. The gentle light reflecting through the glass created beautiful patterns that guests commented on throughout the night.
Table Centerpiece Luminaries
For a recent backyard dinner, I created a simple yet effective lighting solution using mason jars:
Mason Jar Lanterns:
- Fill jars with sand, pebbles, or glass beads as a base
- Add battery-operated LED tea lights instead of real flames
- For a Hollywood effect, use strings of outdoor battery fairy lights stuffed into jars
- Arrange along pathways or cluster as centerpieces
I often advise my clients to save their empty food jars, perhaps after finishing the last of their marmalade. Once a small collection accumulates, these everyday items can be repurposed into beautiful outdoor lighting elements.
Food & Beverage Service
Mason jars have revolutionized outdoor food and beverage service with their practical, portable design. You’ll find them particularly useful for self-service stations.
Drinking Vessels
Using mason jars as drinking glasses is perhaps their most popular application. They’re stable, have built-in measurement marks, and bring charm to any beverage service.
For a recent garden party, we created:
- A signature cocktail station with pre-filled mason jars
- A self-serve lemonade dispenser with pint-sized mason jars
- A cocktail shaker by using the jar’s lid and ring as a built-in strainer
- Wine glass alternatives that reduced breakage concerns
Creative Food Service
Mason jars excel at individual portion service, particularly for outdoor events where traditional plating might be impractical:
- Layered Salads: Create individual salads with dressing at the bottom
- Personal Appetizers: Serve individual portions in 4-ounce jelly jars
- Condiment Station: Fill various sized jars with different condiments and attach spoon pumps to jar lids
- Breadstick Display: Stand breadsticks upright in wide-mouth jars
Decorative Applications
Mason Jar Centerpieces
Creating a rustic wooden tray filled with mason jar flower arrangements makes for a striking outdoor centerpiece that can transition through all seasons.
Materials Needed:
- Cedar fence board (one 6-foot board is sufficient)
- Mason jars in various sizes
- Seasonal flowers or greenery
- Basic tools (table saw, nail gun, measuring tape)
The beauty of this centerpiece is its simplicity. I’ve created dozens of these for clients using just one cedar fence board (under $3 at hardware stores). Cedar is ideal for outdoor use as it naturally resists decay and has a wonderful aroma.
Hanging Plant Displays
One of my clients wanted to maximize their small patio space while still incorporating greenery. We created a vertical mason jar garden by:
- Attaching jar rings to a wooden fence panel
- Filling jars with potting soil and small plants
- Screwing jars into the secured rings
- Creating an entire living wall of herbs and flowering plants
This approach works beautifully for herb gardens near outdoor cooking areas, allowing hosts to snip fresh herbs while preparing meals.
DIY Mason Jar Projects
Mason Jar Terrariums
Terrariums make excellent table decorations and conversation starters. They require minimal maintenance—perfect for busy hosts.
Materials Needed:
- Glass Mason Jars
- Small rocks
- Terrarium plants
- Potting mix
- Moss
- Gardening tools
Instructions:
1. Add a 1/2″ layer of small rocks to the bottom of the jar
2. Layer 1″ of potting soil on top
3. Gently break up plant roots and place a small section in the jar
4. Add a layer of moss on top
5. Finish with a small amount of water
6. Optional: Use the jar cap to create a contained environment requiring less water
Mason Jar Matches for Outdoor Lighting
This project creates both a practical lighting solution and an attractive tablescape element.
Materials Needed:
- Mason jar
- Sandpaper
- Strike-anywhere matches
- Hot glue gun
- Twine or ribbon
Instructions:
1. Remove the lid from your Mason jar
2. Trace a circle on sandpaper using the lid
3. Use hot glue to attach the sandpaper to the lid
4. Fill the jar with strike-anywhere matches
5. Tie decorative twine around the jar’s neck
This makes an excellent companion to outdoor candles and creates a practical lighting solution for areas away from electrical outlets.
Case Study: Backyard Wedding Bar
For a client’s backyard wedding, we created a self-service beverage station using mason jars in various ways:
- Large jars held pre-mixed signature cocktails with spigot lids
- Medium jars contained garnishes (lemon wheels, mint sprigs, berries)
- Small jars held cocktail picks and stirrers
- Individual drinking jars were pre-chilled with custom name tags
The bride later told me, “The mason jar bar station was not only beautiful but functional—it allowed us to enjoy our celebration without hiring multiple bartenders while still offering guests a premium beverage experience.”
Seasonal Mason Jar Applications
Spring/Summer Ideas
- Fill jars with citronella candles to create insect repellent stations
- Create fruit-infused water service with pre-filled jars
- Display locally sourced flowers in a “flower market” arrangement
- Offer individual strawberry shortcakes in jars
Fall/Winter Adaptations
- Serve hearty soups in mason jars with lid covers to retain heat
- Create a hot cocoa bar with pre-mixed ingredients in jars
- Line pathways with candle-lit mason jars for early sunset gatherings
- Fill jars with s’mores ingredients for a dessert station
Working with a client in Minnesota, we created an outdoor winter celebration using mason jars filled with battery-operated candles surrounded by evergreen boughs. The jars provided both light and protection from the wind, creating a magical winter wonderland effect.
25 Ways to Use Mason Jars in Outdoor Entertaining
Here’s a comprehensive list of applications for your next outdoor event:
- Drinking glasses
- Cocktail shakers
- Flower vases
- Utensil holders
- Straw dispensers
- Individual appetizer containers
- Layered salads or dips
- Whipped cream dispensers
- Punch containers
- Match holders (line lid with sandpaper)
- Salt and pepper shakers
- Votive candle holders
- Toothpick dispensers
- Condiment containers
- Breadstick holders
- Lemon/lime wedge containers
- Ice cream sundae bowls
- Hanging lanterns
- Hostess gifts filled with treats
- Party favors
- Terrarium containers
- Centerpiece elements
- Wine glass alternatives
- Herb planters
- Silverware rollers
