7. Mason Jar Reindeer Luminary
When the afternoons get dark early, a little glow goes a long way. This project turns a plain jar into a lantern with a reindeer face on the outside and a soft light inside.
What you need: a clean mason jar, brown acrylic paint or brown tissue paper and decoupage medium, black paint or vinyl for eyes, a red pom-pom or a painted nose, twine, and a battery-operated tea light. Twigs or pipe cleaners make the antlers.
Paint the jar brown in thin coats, or cover it with torn brown tissue for a mottled finish. Once dry, add eyes and a nose on the front. Wrap twine around the neck of the jar a few times and attach antlers above it. Drop in a battery tea light — real candles get hot and are not worth the risk on painted glass.
Time: 30 minutes plus drying time between coats. Difficulty: beginner.
Set a row of them along a mantel, on a porch step, or down the middle of a holiday table. Frosted glass spray or a light dusting of white paint over the brown gives a snowy look. Group three jars in different sizes for more impact.
💡 Pro Tip: Paint the inside of the jar instead of the outside if you want the finish to stay glossy and untouched — just let it cure fully before adding a light.