Q: I have recently been contemplating getting a cookie jar for the sake of nostalgia. I understand that traditional jars aren't the best thing for keeping cookies fresh but I want the feeling that having a cookie jar invokes in the kitchen if you will. Something quirky and fun to look at...
... that guests just have to peek into, even if it is out character with the rest of the kitchen.
I was wondering what cookie jars other readers have or grew up with. Growing up ours was a strawberry and it was mostly only filled at Christmas time.
Sent by Allison
Editor: Allison, I confess that I love these animal cookie jars from West Elm, especially the bear:
• Bear Cookie Jar, $39 at West Elm
Readers, what kind of cookie jar did you go up with? Do you have one in your kitchen now?
Related: Contemporary Cookie Jars
(Image: West Elm)
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Sur La Table had a cute owl one in store recently. Don't know about the price. I didn't grow up with a cookie jar - Mom wasn't a baker, and she hid any store bought cookies so we couldn't eat them without permission.
I got one years ago from Crabtree & Evelyn - it is a lemon. A big yellow lemon with a green top that is the cover. I would recommend maybe looking for something vintage and kitchsy on eBay. Or you could go to a paint your own pottery place and make something yourself that matches your kitchen. Have fun!!
My mom had a ceramic pine cone with a squirrel on top. We kids (seven of us) would have to be very careful lifting the lid off so it did not clank if you wanted to sneak a cookie. Even harder was putting it back on. I swear you could hear it up on the third floor!
My mom still has it, does not use it anymore, but we all love to see it when we are over at her house.
I have this lovely beast in my kitchen: http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/espana-dinnerware-bocca-cow-cookie-jar?ID=498076&CategoryID=53629
I also have a little vintage yellow cookie jar that doesn't look like anything in particular but it houses my candy stash. Only the smart visitors figure that out.
So funny, I've been looking for a fun (vintage) cookie jar for years online and instead, I stumbled upon this one at World Market a few months ago. Love it. And, I don't worry about my kids breaking it because it was cheap. (ugh - can't get the html to display, so here's the link: http://www.worldmarket.com/product/russian-doll-cookie-jar.do)
We have a fabulous koala cookie jar from my Aussie grandmother. Try ebay or etsy for something vintage.
I have a panda bear holding a baby bear cookie jar I got at a garage sale and a fun penguin one I found on craigslist. Thrift stores, at least in my area, seem to be full of cookie jars of every variety. I spent less than $10 on two quirky cookie jars.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/411XnYCIxUL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
I found a super cute vintage cookie jar on Etsy - there are tons of them for sale there https://www.etsy.com/transaction/66555265
I really like cookie jars, too, for the same reasons even though I don't store cookies in them. I don't have any specific cookie jar recommendations, but I did want to share my mom's trick. We never stored cookies in the cookie jar, but we stored the "stuff" for cookies in ziploc bags in there. Chocolate chips, coconut, extracts, etc. are all in the cookie jar. It makes it fun and easy to ad-lib cookie recipes, and it's still conceptually a jar for cookies. :)
I have a couple of vintage wooden biscuit barrels from the UK- they have a ceramic liner & have loads of charm.They can be found online at the usual places or if you're lucky at a flea market - I picked up one of mine there for $5.00!
I love my NAPCO "Cookies All Over" jar that was given to me by my grandmother. I keep my kitchen counters very spare, but that cookie jar with the cookie designs and cheery walnut on the lid really pops with color. It's a popular design, and some particularly rare pieces can sell for $150, but I've seen others as low as $30 on eBay and at antique stores.
We had some holiday ones that sat out, but we normally used decorative tins. Although, we do keep dog biscuits in a sock monkey cookie jar now. I love these owls from World Market: http://www.worldmarket.com/product/owl-cookie-jars-set-of-2.do?&refType=1&from=Search
The best place to find interesting cookie jars is at the flea markets. There is usually at least one dealer with a great selection that are well priced. I found a McCoy bean pot cookie jar that was perfect for my kitchen and it cost $15. Every time I go, I see some gorgeous vintage and kitschy cookie jars.
Cookie jars are a personal choice. Look everywhere and when you see "the one" you will know imediately. Let it reflect your personality and make it a fixture and tradition in your home. Enjoy the journey.
If you're looking for fun and vintage, check out your antique stores! I've got a quirky vintage bear cookie jar that I picked up for about $10, I was out looking for tea cups and pyrex dishes and found him sitting on a shelf, half-hidden. It was exactly the sort of cookie jar I'd always wanted to have in my house. Now if only I had time to keep him stuffed with cookies...
Anthropologie has a ton as well! I have an orange owl jar from there that I love.