Valentine Mason Jar Gift: Sugar Scrub & Love Notes
Two easy ways to fill a mason jar for someone you love: a fragrant homemade sugar scrub or a jar stuffed with rolled-up love notes.
By the HotsBuzz team ·
- Skill levelEasy
- Time30-60 minutes
- Budget$6-$15
- Steps8
A Valentine mason jar gift is personal, affordable and fast. This tutorial covers two versions: a homemade sugar scrub that feels like a little spa treat, and a love notes jar filled with folded messages to open one at a time. Make one, or tuck a few notes into the tag of a scrub jar to combine both.
The sugar scrub uses pantry staples and takes about 15 minutes. The love notes jar takes a bit longer because you’re writing the notes, but that’s exactly what makes it meaningful.
Either way, finish with a ribbon, a fabric topper and a hand-written tag, and you have a gift that looks thoughtful on any budget.
Materials & tools
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You’ll need
Tools
Step-by-step instructions
Clean and dry the jars
Wash the jars and lids in hot soapy water and let them dry completely. Any water left in a scrub jar can shorten its shelf life. Remove any old labels with warm water and a bit of oil.
Mix the sugar scrub
Stir the sugar and melted coconut oil together until it looks like wet sand. Add the vanilla and, if using, 3-5 drops of essential oil and the rose petals. If it’s too dry, add oil a teaspoon at a time; if it’s too oily, add more sugar.
Fill the scrub jar
Spoon the scrub into the 8 oz. jar and press it down lightly. Leave about 1/2 in. of headspace below the rim. Wipe the rim clean before closing the lid.
Write the love notes
On each paper slip, write a short note: a favorite memory, something you admire, an inside joke or a small promise like “one breakfast in bed.” Aim for at least 30 so they can open one a day for a month.
Fold and fill the notes jar
Roll each slip into a tight scroll and tie it with a short piece of thread, or fold it into a small square. Drop them into the 16 oz. jar, shaking gently now and then so they settle and you fit more.
Dress the jars
Center the fabric square over the lid and screw the band on over it, or tie it down with ribbon. Add a few wraps of ribbon around the neck and a bow.
Add the tags
For the scrub, write the ingredients and simple directions: “Massage onto damp skin, rinse well. Use within 3 months.” For the notes jar, write something like “Open one whenever you need a smile.” Punch and tie the tags to the ribbon.
Package and deliver
Nestle the jar in a small gift bag with crinkle paper, or set it in a shallow basket with a washcloth and a candle for a fuller spa gift. Keep the scrub out of hot cars and direct sun, which can melt coconut oil and make the scrub separate. Give it a stir if that happens.
Tips for success
- Oil makes shower and tub floors slippery; include a note to rinse the floor after using the scrub.
- Essential oils can irritate sensitive skin. Keep them to a few drops, avoid citrus oils before sun exposure, and skip them entirely if the recipient has allergies.
- Don’t use a sugar scrub on broken skin or the face; it’s meant for hands, feet and body.
- Keep scrub jars dry inside; use a clean spoon rather than wet fingers to scoop it out.
Make it your own
Pink peppermint scrub
Add 1/4 tsp peppermint extract and a drop of red food coloring for a festive pink scrub. Test a small amount on your skin first.
Reasons I love you jar
Number each note and have them all start with “I love you because...” for a themed version that reads like a countdown.
Date night jar
Fill the jar with date ideas instead of notes, color-coded by cost: free, cheap and splurge, so you can draw one each weekend.
Brown sugar vanilla scrub
Swap half the white sugar for brown sugar and add a pinch of cinnamon. Brown sugar is softer and gentler, which makes it a nice choice for hands and feet.
Frequently asked questions
How long does homemade sugar scrub last?
Kept closed and free of water, a simple sugar and oil scrub generally stays good for about 3 months. If it smells off or changes color, throw it out.
Why did my coconut oil scrub harden?
Coconut oil solidifies below about 76°F. It’s still usable; just break it up with a spoon, or use liquid oil like sweet almond or fractionated coconut oil for a softer scrub.
Can kids make this gift?
Yes. Kids can mix the scrub with supervision and write or decorate love notes. An adult should handle melting the coconut oil.
