Mason Jar Gift Tags and Toppers: Simple Finishing Touches

Mason jar gift tags do a small job that matters: they say who the jar is for, who it is from and what is inside. A filled jar with a bare lid looks like storage. Add one tag at the neck or one paper circle on the lid, and it reads as a present.

None of this needs special equipment. Kraft cardstock, scissors, a hole punch and a length of twine cover every option here, and most tags take less time to make than the bow that holds them.

Hang Tags: the Simple Default

A hang tag is a small card with a hole in it, tied to the neck of the jar. Kraft cardstock is the usual choice because its warm brown suits glass, metal lids and almost any ribbon color. White or cream card looks crisper and shows pencil and colored ink more clearly.

Keep the tag in proportion to the jar. As a starting point:

Jar size	Hang tag, about
Half-pint (8 oz)	1 1/2 by 2 1/2 in (4 by 6.5 cm)
Pint (16 oz)	2 by 3 1/2 in (5 by 9 cm)
Quart (32 oz)	2 1/2 by 4 in (6.5 by 10 cm)

Punch the hole about 1/4 in (6 mm) from the top edge so the card does not tear. A paper reinforcement ring or a second small circle of card glued around the hole makes a thin tag sturdier.

Four Shapes You Can Cut by Hand

Draw one tag on scrap card, cut it out carefully and use it as a template for the rest. That keeps a batch consistent without a cutting machine.

• Clipped rectangle. Cut a rectangle, then snip the two top corners off at a slant. This is the classic luggage-tag outline and the quickest to make.
• Circle. Trace around a spool, a small glass or the screw band itself. Cut with long, smooth strokes, turning the card instead of the scissors.
• Scalloped circle. Trace a circle, then draw small half-circles around the outside using a coin or a button as a guide. Cut along the bumps.
• Banner. Cut a long, narrow rectangle and notch one short end with a V. It suits a single name or one short word.

Round Lid Toppers

A topper is a paper circle that sits on the lid, held under the screw band. It gives the top of the jar a finished face and is the first thing seen when jars stand together in a box.

For a regular-mouth lid, cut the circle about 2 1/2 in (64 mm) across. For a wide-mouth lid, cut it about 3 1/8 in (80 mm). Lids vary by maker, so trace around the inside of your own band for a circle that fills the visible opening, or around the flat insert for one that reaches the edge.

1. Unscrew the band and leave the flat insert in place on the jar.
2. Center the paper circle on the insert.
3. Screw the band back down over it. The band grips the edge of the paper, so no glue is needed.

Use text-weight or light card for toppers. Heavy cardstock can stop the band from threading on properly.

Tying: Twine or Ribbon

Jute twine and baker’s-style cotton twine suit kraft tags and give a rustic finish. Ribbon is softer and more formal. Use one or the other; a single tie looks tidier than a mix.

The neatest way to attach a hang tag is a lark’s head knot:

1. Cut about 24 in (60 cm) of twine and fold it in half.
2. Push the folded loop through the hole in the tag from front to back.
3. Pass both loose ends through the loop and pull snug.
4. Wrap the two ends around the neck of the jar, just under the band, and tie a small bow or a double knot.

The tag then hangs flat against the glass instead of twisting. If the jar is already wrapped, thread the tag onto the wrap’s own ribbon before you tie the bow; the guide on how to wrap a mason jar gift shows where that tie sits.

Layer a Tag Over a Fabric Topper

A fabric circle under the band and a paper tag on top is the one layered look worth the effort. Cut the fabric about 2 in (5 cm) wider than the lid so it forms a short ruffle below the band. Tie twine around the band over the fabric, and let a small hang tag sit on top of the lid or drop down the side.

Keep the pairing quiet: a patterned fabric with a plain tag, or a plain fabric with a tag that carries a stamped motif. Two patterns together compete with whatever is inside the jar.

Short Wording Ideas

Tags are small, so write less than you think you need. Three lines is plenty.

• To and from: “For Dana, from the Okafor family”
• What is inside: “Mending kit: thread, needles, buttons”
• How to use it: “Open one note whenever you need it”
• A plain message: “Thank you for a wonderful year”
• A care note: “Contains pins and small parts. Keep away from young children.”

Write in pencil first if you are unsure of spacing, then go over it in pen and erase once the ink is dry. Put the name on the front and the contents on the back so the front stays uncluttered.

Tag or Label?

A tag is temporary and comes off with the ribbon. A label stays on the glass and tells the owner what the jar holds long after the gift is opened. For a jar meant to live on a craft shelf or desk, add both: a tag for the occasion and a label for everyday use. The guide to mason jar labels covers the stick-on and tie-on options.

If you are still deciding what to put inside, start with the list of mason jar gift ideas, then come back and match the tag wording to the contents.