DIY Candy Bar Using Mason Jars

Since finishing our basement (you can read all about it HERE and HERE), we have been hosting many, many get togethers for my kids and their friends.  Our basement has become where they like to gather, hang out, watch movies, play video games, eat, laugh, do homework and play games.  It’s a dream come true!  This is exactly what we wanted (and I’m not even being sarcastic).   I try to keep those cookable tortillas from Costco and cheese on hand so they can always make quesadillas when they get hungry (as teenagers tend to do every 5 minutes).  I also wanted to have some treats for them down there as well.  That’s when I decided to put together a little “candy bar” for them to enjoy.  It’s a totally simple build (and I only used wood glue!) and some half-gallon mason jars and it works perfectly!  Needless to say, the candy bar is a basement favorite and my biggest challenge is keeping it stocked!

Wanna make one too?  To build the box for your candy bar you will need:

• 4 poplar boards (1/2″ thick, 6″ wide, 36″ long), I found mine at Home Depot
• 1×1 inch square wood dowels, 2 of them, 5″ long
• wood glue
• caulk
• paint (your color of choice)
• drawer pulls for the ends
• 7 half gallon mason jars

If I had a nail gun, I may have just nailed this baby together in 10 minutes.  But, since I didn’t I just used wood glue to put the whole thing together which required some overnight drying time.   The first day I assembled three of the pieces of wood together to form a box.  I glued them and left them to dry overnight.

Then I cut my 4th board into pieces to fit the ends of my box.  I glued them on as well.

Now add the 1×1 inch wood dowels to the bottom of the box to give it some “feet”and a little height.  I love this detail! 

After allowing enough drying time, I caulked the gaps and painted my new little box white.

I then added my drawer pulls to each end… both practical for carrying and cute!

Finally I added my mason jars.  This length fits 7 half gallon mason jars perfectly!

All you need to do now is add your candy of choice and you’ll be the hit of the neighborhood!  Obviously, small children may not be able to have any self-control with this, but the teenagers I have crashing the basement are awesome about only having a few each time they come over and throwing away their wrappers. 🙂  But wouldn’t this candy bar be cute for a wedding reception or birthday party too?  I totally think so!  Just get the cute/fancy candy and you’ll be all set!

DIY Candy Bar