The Ultimate Guide to Making Spell Jars for Holiday Stress

Ah, the holidays. A time of twinkling lights, delicious food, and... stress. Between the endless to-do lists, old family tensions bubbling underneath the surface, and financial strain, it’s way too easy to feel overwhelmed. But there is a way to DYI a bit of peace in all the chaos—spell jars. Whether you’re already a spell-crafting pro or just curious about adding a little magic to your self-care routine, making a spell jar is a fun and empowering way to channel calm during the busiest time of the year.

What is a Spell Jar?

At its most basic, a spell jar is a small container filled with ingredients that correspond to your intention. Think of it as a portable spell—a concentrated bit of magic you can carry with you, set on your altar, or tuck away for safekeeping. Each ingredient you add to the spell jar serves a purpose, reinforcing the outcome you’re seeking. And since we’re talking holiday stress, you can tailor these jars to boost calm, patience, financial willpower, and even sweeten your interactions with people who seem to be experts at channeling their inner-Grinch (or are good at bringing out the Grinch in you).

While you can definitely buy cute little jars online or at your local craft store, any small container with some kind of lid or other type of closure will work fine as a spell jar. You can recycle that mini jar of jam you just finished or even an old spice jar. While it’s traditional to use glass, you may want to think about how you’ll be using your spell jar. A glass jar looks cute on your shelf, but if you know it might get banged around in your purse, it’s perfectly okay to stick with a more forgiving option, like clear plastic.

What Kind of Things Go Inside a Spell Jar?

The beauty of a spell jar is that it’s entirely customizable. You can include crystals, herbs, oils, or even tiny trinkets that resonate with your goal. And if you’re thinking, “I’m not running to a metaphysical shop for special ingredients,” don’t worry. Plenty of spell jar essentials can be found on your spice rack or in your pantry. Here are some easy-to-find ingredients that work magic during the holidays:

• Salt: For cleansing and protection. A great choice as an ingredient for any spell jar you make.
• Bay leaves: For wisdom and success. Write your intentions on them before adding to the jar.
• Cinnamon: To bring warmth and attract positive energy.
• Rosemary: For purification and mental clarity.
• Lavender: To soothe and promote calm vibes.
• Sugar or honey: For sweetening relationships and interactions.

Of course, you can also add crystals like rose quartz (for loving energy) or citrine (for abundance), but you don’t need to. A spell jar can be just as powerful with simple kitchen ingredients—perfect for those who want to dabble in the aesthetic without going all in on obscure ingredients.

When Is a Good Time to Make a Spell Jar?

The holidays are naturally a stressful time, but the best moment to craft a spell jar is when you feel the need for some extra support. This could be during a quiet afternoon between events, after a particularly tough conversation, or even as a preemptive strike before the madness begins. You could align your spell jar making with the lunar cycle (New Moons for new beginnings, Full Moons for manifesting your goals), or simply whenever you can carve out some “you time” amidst the holiday chaos.

How to Cleanse and Consecrate a Spell Jar

Before you start crafting your spell jar, you’ll want to cleanse it to clear out any lingering energies. There are a few simple ways to do this:

• Smoke cleansing: Pass the jar through the smoke of sage, palo santo, or rosemary.
• Sound cleansing: Use a bell, chime, or your own voice to vibrate away unwanted energies.
• Salt cleanse: Leave the jar sitting in a small bowl of salt for a few hours.

Once it’s cleansed, you’re ready to start building your spell jar. As you add each ingredient, think about the intention you want to set. Visualize the energy of the item merging with your own. Finally, seal the jar with wax (drip some from a candle—a tea light or even a birthday candle should do the trick nicely) or tie it shut with string, and speak a few words of consecration. Something as simple as “This jar is sealed with my intention for [calm, patience, etc.]. So it is” will do the trick.

Spell Jars to Make for Holiday Stress

Now that you know the basics, let’s dive into the fun part—creating spell jars specifically to deal with holiday stress. Below are a few tried-and-true options, each designed to tackle a different area of holiday strain.

1. Spell Jar for Calm and Patience

Let’s face it, the holidays can be a whirlwind of stressful moments, from wrapping gifts at midnight to dealing with that relative who always pushes your buttons. A spell jar for calm and patience is perfect for those moments when you need a little extra grace under pressure. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Lavender (calm)
• Rosemary (mental clarity)
• Blue lace agate (soothing energy)
• Salt (protection and grounding)
• A few drops of lavender essential oil (optional)
• A tiny charm or symbol that reminds you to stay calm
• A blue candle to seal it

After assembling your jar, keep it with you during stressful holiday gatherings or place it somewhere you can easily see it. Whenever you feel your patience wearing thin, give the jar a shake and take a deep breath—your intention is set, and calm is within reach.

2. Spell Jar to Sweeten Interactions with Others

Holidays tend to bring out both the best and worst in people, and tempers can run short. If you want to promote kinder, more pleasant interactions, a sweetening spell jar is just the thing. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Sugar or honey (sweetens relationships)
• Cinnamon (brings warmth and positive energy)
• Rose petals (love and harmony)
• A bay leaf (for peaceful communication)
• Pink quartz (promotes unconditional love)
• A few drops of vanilla extract (optional, for added sweetness)
• A pink candle to seal it

Place this jar somewhere central in your home or keep it on your person if you know you’ll be facing challenging interactions. Whenever tensions rise, hold the jar and imagine it filling the space with warmth and harmony.

3. Spell Jar for Financial Willpower

The holidays can wreak havoc on your budget, so why not create a spell jar to keep your spending in check? A financial willpower spell jar helps you stick to your budget and resist those unnecessary splurges. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Green aventurine (for financial luck)
• Basil (wealth and abundance)
• A coin (representing money flow)
• Cinnamon (for prosperity)
• A written affirmation, like “I spend wisely and in alignment with my goals”
• A green candle to seal it

Tuck this jar in your purse or wallet as a reminder to stay strong when the temptation to overspend strikes. Whenever you’re feeling wobbly about your finances, hold the jar and refocus on your goal.

The holidays don’t have to be a source of endless stress. By making a simple spell jar, you can shift the energy around you, creating space for calm, patience, and even a little financial savvy. Whether you’re new to spellcraft or simply looking for a fun way to boost your holiday self-care, a spell jar can be your secret weapon to surviving the season with your sanity intact. So grab a jar, gather your ingredients, and let the magic begin!