Need a simple and inexpensive gift idea for your family, friends, and neighbors? Make a Printable Conversation Prompts Question Jar for hours of meaningful conversation and lots of laughs this holiday season.
On our third Christmas together Jared and I were still in college. I was taking 21 credits to reach graduation faster and we were living on nothing but love. (Actually, Jared’s part-time job and student loans.) Money was extra tight and we needed to get extra creative with our gift giving. Truthfully, I remember being kind of upset about the whole thing. I was tired of being a poor college student, and tired of homemade and thrift store gifts. But isn’t it funny that it’s one of my most memorable Christmases? It was the year we made “question jars” for all our family and friends. And this printable conversation prompts question jar continues to be one of our most used “games” during the holidays.
We came up with lists of conversation questions–some serious, some silly, printed them on cardstock, cut into strips, stuffed them in jars tied with ribbon, and then gave them to our family and friends. Everyone LOVED our handmade gift. We even took one to a white elephant exchange and it was the most popular gifted item!
We kept a question jar for ourselves as well, and it’s become one of our frequently used at-home date night activities. We bring it with us on long road trips. I pull it out when I need a journaling prompt idea for my scrapbooking. We even brought out the jar this Thanksgiving and passed it around the table while pie was being served.
A question jar is the perfect way to turn off the TV and inspire good conversation. Plus, it’s fun! I never would have guessed that frugal Christmas gift years ago would bring so many memories.
Making a Printable Conversation Prompts Question Jar
The process is simple and to make it extra easy for you, I’ve even compiled a {FREE} list of questions!
- Download the PDF file and print on cardstock.
- Cut into strips with scissors or a paper cutter.
- Fill your jars with the conversation questions. (I picked up a few funky vintage jars and bottles at the thrift store! Look for fun shapes, colors and textures.)
- Decorate to your heart’s content! (In this sample I used a strip of paper from an old book, layered with a strip of patterned paper, a homemade felt flower, a glittery sprig, and some raffia.)
Grab a mug of hot cocoa, a gingersnap, and your conversation prompts question jar, curl on the couch with a snuggly blanket and have HAVE FUN getting to know yourself, your family, and your friends better!
Thanks! This is the best assortment of questions I have seen yet. So fun!
Thank you SO MUCH for such a great idea – AND for sharing your questions! Money is REALLY tight this year, and the extra “white elephant” (but not really) gift exchanges can be an added stress for both ideas and the budget. This saved me! Plus, I’m making one for my hubby for our 12 dates for the year – bonus! Thanks again!
Awesome! I hope you love it!!
I made a question jar for my mother and she absolutely adored it! Thank you so much for the inspiration!
I just saw this idea on Pinterest! I made one for my husband and me to play while in the car on vacation! We had a blast! Such a great idea! I plan on using this as an engagement gift for the next couple I know to get engaged! Thanks for sharing!
What an awesome idea! I saw your blog from Money Saving Mom. Your creativity is incredible! Thank you for sharing. =D
I know it has been said…but this is soooo cool! I am totally making this. So thrifty yet such a great gift to encourage good quality time! Thank you for sharing it 🙂
Thank you so much for this adorable idea. I made one for my 80 year old grandmother, along with a decorative notebook for her to record her answers. Thought it would be a great keepsake for her great grandchildren!
Okay, I know I’m totally stalking you, BUT, I just wanted to THANK YOU again! I am so excited about this gift! They look adorable, and the flowers were the perfect touch! I put them on pins so that they can be used as broaches, too!
Love the pin idea! Glad they turned out 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this idea! I’m going to make one for my brother, I think it will help him slow down and really consider and enjoy all life has to offer.
Merry Christmas!
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
I’m unable to download the pdf. Is it no longer available?
@cynthia, Hi Cynthia! The download seems to be working fine on my end…Maybe make sure your browser allows popups?
This is EXACTLY what I need this year! I only have three days left (including today) to come up with gifts for the kids’ teachers and being unemployed and trying to manage on just The Man Thing’s salary has been a challenge. This is perfect – thank you so much!
Thank you so much for offering this free! I added some more questions and put them on colored paper. I am making them from my kids to give to their aunts and uncles for Christmas gifts. I am so glad you were featured on moneysavingmom.com and I found you!
I also am making the felt blooms – or hoping to have my daughter make them for the jars. Really cute!
Have a very Merry Christmas! Much Joy to your family.
Blessings,
Terri S
I just made 6 out of the 12 I am going to make. two things: I used mostly hot glue, but when it came time to get the label to stay on, I needed to use Super Glue. I also used Modge Podge over the label to make it stay together and have the shiny look. Beware though, it takes a little scrubbing to get it off the glass once it drys. What kind of glue did you use? Also, what did you do on the top of the lid?
Thanks for the wonderful idea!
@Jen, Wow, you’re making 12! That’s awesome.
I actually used double sided tape for the labels…I like the modge podge idea though!
The jar I used in this example was really old (I got it from the flea market). The lid was a bit rusty and I loved the vintage feel so I left it. But another idea if you don’t love the look of the lid would be to spray paint it. You can get lots of fun colors. Walmart even sells some kinds for $1 a can. That way you can use all kinds of jars (like old mayo jars even!) for fun projects.
Here’s an example where Kelleigh spray painted the lids of baby food jars: http://keepinglifecreative.com/keeping-life-creative/12-days-of-christmas-sugar-scrub/
Thanks! This is a great idea! I was really delighted that the questions you came up with were so thoughtprovoking.
I did something similar a few years ago for my parents and in-laws and gave them a journal with it to record responses. It was an easy way to get a story of their life. The questions helped prompt other stories as well.
I LOVE that idea!
What a great gift idea. Thanks for making it super easy by including questions!
Love this idea. Thanks for sharing. Will be back!
This question jar is a lot of fun, and it’s also a great way to push past small talk at gatherings with coworkers, friends, and relatives we want to get to know better. One of my favorite things about it is that the questions never expire, because as we change so do our answers. It makes a tiny jar bottomless, a simple gift endless.
If I may add one thing to your post, Pam–I’m such a prude, but you know I love you–I actually worked between 15 and 20 hours a week during most semesters in college. Those were tough times. But, like you say above, we remember them well because of our focus on each other rather than on things.
@Jared Odd, What? Really? I swear it was less. I’ll go change it to “part-time.”
Thanks for reading :). I love it when you stop by.
can’t wait to see how to do the felt flower!!!!
@sara, The felt flower link is up now 🙂 http://keepinglifecreative.com/keeping-life-creative/diy-felt-bloom/
This is AWESOME – I truly love it. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! This is a great idea and thanks so much for sharing your questiongs!! I will be sure to tell people about this blog!
You are too sweet. Thank you so much!!
This is such a great idea!! Planning on using it for a white elephant I’m going to and maybe for family too. Thanks!!!
I love this idea! It would be great for when having guests over to the house too. 🙂 Thanks!
@Jenae {I Can Teach My Child}, Yes! We had guests for Thanksgiving and it was a fun activity. And we usually get the jar out over Christmas break when we are visiting with extended family too. The kids love participating too.
What a great idea! My mmom always got a Family” gift each year. I think I will continue the tradition with one of these. 🙂 And thank you for providng questions, seems like it’d be hard to think them up.
@Sonya, Hope the questions will be helpful :).
So fun! We are having a white elephant gift exchange this year and I have had the HARDEST time thinking of what to take, but you just came to my rescue!
@Chelsy@sweetpeasandkisses, YAY! Let me know how it goes!
Thank you so much for this idea- I’m totally going to do this! 🙂
This is seriously awesome!! I’m TOTALLY making these. Thanks so much for the freebie!!