{Beach in a Jar}
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Sometimes the best souvenirs are the simple ones!
As you know… I love the beach! Earlier this year, we were able to use some free air miles to go on a trip to Washington D.C. and North Carolina! {score!}
We had never been to North Carolina before, and the beaches were amazing… and the water was so warm… and the big jelly fish was so bad! Yep ~ he stung me. {ouchie!}
Now, my boys wanted a beachy souvenir, but were having a hard time paying the big bucks for the little souvenirs at the beach shops. So… we ended up filling 2 empty water bottles full of sand, loading up our favorite sea shell finds, and making the ‘Beach in a Jar’ when we got home {using old mason jars from spaghetti sauce and a little twine wrapped around the lid} 
It was so simple and frugal, and turned out to be their favorite souvenirs from the trip!
Now we’ll never have to forget this beautiful memory….
{Outer Banks, North Carolina}
What are some fun or thrifty ways you preserve your special memories??
Leave a comment & share!
Love that. I did the same when I first went on Spring Break back in high school to Florida (and I used a beer bottle instead of a water bottle, just because it was cool;)). Now whenever I go someplace I collect a few shells and add it to a bowl I keep them in on a bookshelf top.
For kids, this is great. maybe add a cute label on top giving the location and date of the trip, or even a photo.
Ooh ~ I love that idea for the lid!
~ Heidi
I do custom beach writings, you can check me out at http://www.namesonthejerseyshore.com I could make a custom beach writing, email you the picture and you could print it on a sticker!
Love it! We did something similar but we filled a bottle with the tiniest shells we could find. Yes it took a while but so fun. We go to the Outer Banks as well. Spent 18 Days on Hatteras Island in June. It is a beautiful place. I just hope this hurricane leaves it in tact!
I did a larger jar with the beautiful white sand from a beach in Florida. I filled it, maybe, half full with sand and then added lots of Florida seashells on top. Thanks for sharing! It is a great souvenier!!
I have a “window box” picture frame, called “My Favorite Beaches,” where I have my top favorite beach finds!
There is sand-colored paper as the background, with four areas labeled: Childhood Memories – Sandy Hook, NJ; Fun with College Friends – Charleston, SC; When I “Knew” (that HE was the one!) – Outer Banks, NC; and Our Honeymoon – Palm Beach, FL.
In each section, I hot-glued my favorite seashore memories: starfish, shells, sand dollars, etc.
It’s a way to meaningfully preserve my memories in a way that others can enjoy too!
I love your beach-in-a-jar too! and I will try that with my kids when they’re a little older!
Oops. . . “Window box” = “Shadow box”
Love the idea!
Oh how i miss my old home state!!! I love the beach in a jar!!!! I will have to do that next time i visit my family!!! Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea
Years ago I made a breakfast tray with all my sand and shells. You can use just about anything though. I painted a tray and let it dry. I then poured my sand and placed my seashells where I wanted them, and then I slowly poured epoxy over it. Once it was dry, the sand and shells stayed perfectly. I wish I still had it…guess it’s time for another vacation.
Sounds like a great project w/ kids….can u send me instructions
Thanks
My daughter & I do this for each beach we go to. Then we use rub-ons to put the place & date on it. We also use the “vacation” rub-ons to decorate the rest of the jar.
Ooh ~ cute idea, Paula… I love that!
~ Heidi