When I was a little girl, I remember going over to my Grandma’s house and fighting with my cousins over the little glass that had an image of a Tom & Jerry on it. It was only later that I realized that it was a jelly juice jar once I read the words Welch’s Jelly on the bottom.
I think everyone has a memory of a jelly glass. And it is great because you can still find them in thrift stores for a few dollars. Although of course some are a bit more expensive.
Jars specifically used for jelly have been around since the 1600s, but when jellies and jams were sold in grocery stores, the jars were the perfect size for little hands and were often reused for glasses.
Sometimes they just had designs and interesting shapes.
And some of the jars the images on them that were pretty cool too, like this cactus jelly jar.
Then in the fifties, companies started to put pretty yet neutral designs on their juice jars knowing they were being used again in households. Who wouldn’t want to buy a few extra jars of jelly to round out their collection?
And for your hobo style kitchen decor…
But it was Welch’s jelly company that really rocked it out, starting in 1953 with jelly jars featuring some of the most popular cartoon characters around. Every few years they would launch another collection. Like these below…
Could we talk about the awesomeness of Miss Piggy here…
So, did you ever have one of these jars as a kiddo? Or as an adult? Do you collect them? What is or was your favorite?
Oh, totally! In that second photo down, the ones in the front with the starburst design on clear glass. Those were our juice glasses for my entire childhood! I bet my mom still has them in her cupboard now!
I think they are adorable and the perfect glass for little hands–so cute too! I might have to keep my eyes peeled for them!
Oh what memories!!! Yes, yes, yes! We had Barney, Fred, and Dino!
Dottie, I love these and have four of the Peanuts set, one Looney Tunes, and three of the Archie Comics one, including the Sabrina one you have pictured (which is my favorite!). I did have another one, but my son broke it. That’s the price you pay for actually using the things you collect, but it’s so much more fun to actually use them than to have them sit in the cabinet, don’t you think?
I’m with ya. It breaks my heart when we break a glass (we used to have the whole Happy Days gang —with an extra Potsie even! And now we’re down to Joanie and Richie. Sigh. But I still love using them!!
That is such a great point. I would so much rather the items be enjoyed then in a cabinet somewhere. My mom loves to use her fine china, saying that she wants to actually enjoy it instead of never seeing it! I agree!!!
And Carrie, I would have DIED for the Sabrina one!
Paula Poundstone said that when she broke a Flinstone Jelly glass, her mom threw up her hands and said, “See? This is why we can’t have nice things.”
THAT is awesome.
Ha!
We were not a jelly eating household (being German, my mom wasn’t really keen on “grape jelly” and preferred preserves or homemade jam) so I never had the joy of them growing up. BUT once I moved out to SF in the 90s and began my thrifting/vintage obsession I ended up with quite a few jelly jars! Most of them are from the Archies and I have two random clown ones. And they ARE perfect for little hands, as Wolfie can attest to! I never really knew the history of them though so this was awesome! (and I even forgot that mine were actually jelly jars until you reminded me!!)
Yeah–my parents never really had them either, but that one elusive one at my grandmas was quite popular among the tiny tot set.
I love that you had the Archies AND the whole Happy Days section too!! I’m all about using them. The Peach uses these little juice glasses that I inherited from my grandmother. I love they they are used every day!
When I was little, I drank out of dried beef jars!! Same size, just different contents. 😉 I think my dad still eats that crap…
OK Jill….you need to gimme a lil more info. DRIED BEEF JARS?? Is this like jerky jars? I must know more!
Oh yes! Pictures, please!!!
I have 9 of the vintage dried beef jars and don’t know what to do with them. 🙂
Oh Yeah! I have a complete set of Archie juice glasses from the early 70s. Honestly, I have never drank out of them though. We do have a Looney Tunes glass and a pokemon glass that my nephew likes to use. I believe they were jelly jars. I really want those Flintstones glasses.
LOVE this article! I was raised with those Welch’s glasses growing up. Was a great way to start a collection as a kid and to prevent things from going to waste. I guess the urge to upcycle has been in me a long time because I started a website on upcycling and other ways to reduce waste. In fact, we’re talking about this very subject right now, if anyone reading this would like to join in on the conversation about an upcycling campaign that Coke is now running in Asia. Here’s the link: http://www.wehatetowaste.com/Coke-2nd-Lives
We still use them, I also have glasses that once had sour cream in them, as well as the little glasses that had shrimp cocktail.