We Be Jammin'

I'm always on the lookout for unique party favor ideas that satiate the sweet tooth with a local flare. Sick of collecting bottle stoppers and don’t want to obligate your guests to build their collection after attending your event?

Favors should be useful, fun, and reflect the event and host. All too commonly they fall like a flat afterthought after a great event.

With a little creativity and without breaking the bank, we’re bringing the afterthought into the forefront and introducing homemade jam! I know what some of you are thinking – jam? Really? What’s so unique about jam? Who hasn’t had strawberry jam? But the fun part of making DIY favors is that you can customize. Think about the region where you're hosting the event - are they known for dates? Peaches? Even if you're getting married or hosting in a region you’re not familiar with the venue director can guide you through local flavors (and there’s always the internet to help guide you.) This is a great party favor for an outdoors wedding or event, such as at a winery, farm, park, or botanical garden. You can spin your own flavors to the classic local character and give your guests a lasting impression.

This is a very inexpensive project that can easily be done in an evening. All you'll need is some mason jars (as low as $0.80 per jar), ribbon to match your overall theme, craft glue (we use Aleene's Tacky Glue 4oz for $1.19 at www.save-on-crafts.com), scissors, place cards, and a jam recipe of your choice (a classic taste just uses the fruit/veggie, sugar, and lemon juice).

Step 1: making the jam of your choice (as you will have to boil the jars at the end of the process it's a good idea to wait to decorate your mason jars until you've sealed the jars)
Step 2: dressing up your mason jar - measure the ribbon to go around your mason jar (the diameter), cut the piece, glue it on the jar, and then attach a label (either the jam flavor, the day of your wedding, or the guest's name so that it can be used as a placecard).


Below I have provided a Fig Jam recipe that is sure to delight your guests. It's unique, versatile, and projects a classy image :) (you can of course google a recipe of your choice that complements the event)

Ingredients:
2 quarts chopped fresh figs (about 5 pounds)
6 cups of sugar
¾ cup of water
½ cup of lemon juice

To prepare chopped figs: Cover figs with boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes. Drain, stem, and chop figs.

Combine figs, sugar and ¼ cup of water in a large sauce pot. Bring slowly to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cook rapidly until thick. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Add lemon juice and cook 1 minute longer. Pour hot into hot jars, leaving ¼ inch head space. Adjust caps. Process 15 minutes on a boiling water bath. Yields about 5 pints. (feel free to adjust sugar to your taste)