Make Easy Decoupaged Gnome Mason Jars for Quick Gifts!

I love making little gifts for people around the holidays and these decoupaged gnome mason jars are perfect for gifts like cookies, mixes and kits! So fun.

gnome craft idea for a gift in a jar
I love how these fun gnome mason jars turned out–they’re so quick and easy, but very cute!

Decoupaged Gnome Mason Jars

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, we are seriously obsessed with making little gifts for friends and neighbors. And one of my favorite ways to do that is to make a little gift in a mason jar and then leave it on a doorstep or just under the tree. Having the jar covered, then is super important so it doesn’t spoil the surprise.

RELATED READING: MASON JAR LID GNOME ORNAMENT

But painting a jar can be, well, a bummer. So I have avoided anything intricate–until now! Because it dawned on me that you can decoupage a napkin on to a jar! Amazing, I tell you. If you’re ready to make an epic gift with a gnome jar, let’s get started.

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collage of diy gnomes teaching how to make a gnome with or without legs and with or without sewing
gnome craft using a mason jar
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closeup of a gnome mason jar craft idea with text which reads easy tutorial to make gnome mason jars

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Tips to Make Gnome Jars

  • Start by grabbing a napkin featuring a gnome. I loved love LOVED this gnome napkin set here. They’re cute, well-detailed and the background is super fun.
  • Don’t give up if you pick up a napkin you love but it doesn’t fit on the jar you have. There are bigger jars–pint size, I think. And they are perfect for napkins with a bigger image. Likewise, if you have a tiny gift to give and a napkin with an itty bitty image, get those small jelly jars.
  • When you’re painting your jars, be sure to give it a second coat if the napkin doesn’t cover the whole jar surface. Back to that point about spoiling the surprise–if you don’t paint it all the way opaque, you might be sorry.
overhead view of gnome jar craft idea

How Do I Make Decoupaged Gnome Mason Jars?

I’m so glad you asked. Below is our written tutorial.

Yield: 1 Gnome Jar

Decoupaged Gnome Mason Jars

overhead view of gnome jar craft idea

I love gifts in a jar. They're usually simple, quick and thoughtful. And now, by making decoupaged gnome mason jars, they can be a little more decorative too!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $3

Materials

  • 1 Mason Jar (with lid)
  • 1 Gnome Napkin
  • White Acrylic Paint
  • Craft Sealant (Mod Podge)

Tools

  • Paintbrush

Instructions

  1. Start with a clean and dry mason jar, then paint it white, including the lid. Allow this coat of paint to dry completely, applying a second coat, as desired.
  2. Cut out a single ply of the gnome napkin. Discard the rest (or use them on other projects).
  3. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the area of the jar that you want the napkin to sit on. 
  4. Immediately position the napkin piece onto the Mod Podge, followed by another thin layer of Mod Podge on top, smoothing out the wrinkles in the napkin, as much as physically possible. I had the best success by placing the center of the napkin first, then smoothing it out toward the edges. Allow the Mod Podge to dry completely. photo collage of how to make a decoupaged gnome mason jar

Notes

For more fun mason jar gift ideas, visit Ruffles and Rain Boots!

Did you make this?

Please leave a comment or share a photo and tag me @rufflesandrain

More Gnome Crafts You Might Like

  • Gnome Cookie Jar – No jar…but let me tell you, this upcycling craft is incredibly fun and I am now hungry for a cookie.
  • Christmas Gnome Mason Jars – A more traditional gnome craft, but made with a jar at it’s heart so that it’s useful in addition to being super cute.
  • How to Make a Sock Gnome – The best and most comprehensive guide on making a sock gnome, whether you’re a hobbyist or a pro!
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photo collage of easy mason jar decoration idea with text which reads easy tutorial to make gnome mason jars

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