Here is a fun very inexpensive gift that seems to amuse all ages LOL
Pirate Jars
A Pirate Jar is a kind of game-in-a-jar gift. The only thing you HAVE to buy is some plaine bird seed -- like millet. You CAN buy some of the trinkets but you should be able to find these around your house, office, car or Grandma's house
You need clean, clear jars (or containers)and lids - whatever you have around will work from peanut butter jars, to mayo ones to wine bottles etc. just as long as they are clear.
To start gather 40 pieces (see my note under the poem) of trinkets, junk, items found between sofa cushions, in junk drawers, under car seats etc. For example I have used little toy soliders, broker crayon, buttons, barbie shoe, game pieces, hot wheel, dime, ball, paper clip, eraser, plastic ring etc. You CAN stick to the theme and use plastic gold coin, earing, eye patch etc or even go with a theme for the person or family such as golfer, movie buffs, princess items or whatever! I find a wide selection works best but since we are going for little money, use whatever items you can find! Note: either count the items you are going to use and/or write them down BEFORE you put together your jars --ie . - red ball, silver paperclip, pink barbie shoe etc. This will come in handy later
Now, take the clean, clear container and put in a layer of the bird seed. Top that layer with some of your "treasures" and then another layer of the seed to cover your "treasures" then add more trinkets, cover them with sand over and over until ALMOST full -- you need to leave room for the shaking and shifting.
Now put back on the lid -- I usually glue it on to prevent it from being opened and spilled! You can spray paint the lid, cover it with fabric, glue on a picture of the person getting the gift -- however you want to decorate it!
Type up the little poem (making changes noted below poem if needed)and print it out on strong card stock paper. On the back (or another sheet which you glue to the back) list all of the "hidden" items so everyone know what they are looking for! You could also have it laminated. Punch a hole in the corner and attach to your container with ribbon or elastic.
Pirate Jar
Some pirates got all mixed up
And did things the wrong way 'round.
They put their treasure in the jar
And buried the map in the ground.
Their treasure was some silly stuff,
Like nuts and screws and beads,
Then dear old Polly Parrot
Added all her extra seeds.
So find the 40 items here,
No two are quite the same.
Don't open up the jar, though,
As that would spoil the game.
Note:
The poem says 40 items so if you use a smaller type container (or larger) you may want to adjust that number so they all fit. Also it says nuts and screws and those can be changed -- I used balls, buttons and beads -- just put in 2 of the things you add. You will need to add a bead to rhyme with seeds.
This is really a fun little project that seems to work with all ages. They are great for trips, any type of waiting really or just set out on card table to occupy the kids at the gathering. Last year I made smaller ones and put the photos on the lids and used them as place cards.
Samantha