ILiveInFlipFlops Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 That's it. I've just always wondered, and I saw an ad today that made me wonder again. (It also made me really, really want an iced coffee.) Can someone explain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddykate Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 For our family, it is because they are sturdy little boogers that will hold up to the abuses of my kiddos :). And we reserve our better glasses for company. I don't know why other folks do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Why not drink out of them? That isn't much of an answer, but I'm not sure what there is to explain or understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I broke my other glassware (shelf collapse) and already had a bunch of jars sitting around taking up space. The kids like making "shake milk" (chocolate milk) in them, and they're easier for DH to take drinks or smoothies to work in. Plus, no more fighting over colored or designed plastic cups. They all look the same. I use different color straws or rubber bands to tell the kids' cups apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ipsey Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 No idea. We drink out of Mason jars. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamajag Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 They are cheap and nearly indestructible. My kids break every other type of glass we've ever bought, so I took a hint from my mom and started using the canning jars as drinking glasses. I've had 1 break in 2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momofeat Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I drink out of them because I want my glass to look different from everyone else's glass. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 They are inexpensive, durable, and multi-functional. When we needed to replace our glasses last year (most had been broken), we decided to replace them with mason jars of various sizes. We also bought lids for each size and tossed the majority of our storage containers. Now, if someone doesn't finish their drink, I pop a lid on it and stick it in the fridge. If we want to being a drink with us, we put a lid on it and bring it along. We store leftovers from meals in them, and we can reheat the leftovers in the jars (replacing the lids with plastic wrap) and I can easily bring leftovers with me to work. What used to take several shelves/ cabinets to store can now be stored on 1 1/2 shelves. We also haven't broken any yet despite their being dropped and bumped frequently during washing and use. I plan to use some instructions I found on Pinterest to alter some of the lids so I can put re-usable straws in them so we can use them as travel cups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tranquility7 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I've always wondered this, too. Why not drink out of them? There is nothing wrong with them, but they are jars. The part your mouth is on is threaded, and often thicker than a regular glass. I figure most people who drink out of them probably grew up on a farm. Maybe it is a throw back to a time when things like drinking glasses were expensive, and since many households made jams and jellies, they would have mason jars around and it would be cheaper for those just to double as cups also. Nowadays I think people who drink out of them are either rural, or grew up rural, or just like the vintage look of them, or just like the sturdiness of them for kiddos as PP mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Because I've broken most of the good glasses and shouldn't be allowed to touch them. Sad when it's Mom who is the hardest on the plates and cups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 They are cheap and nearly indestructible. My kids break every other type of glass we've ever bought, so I took a hint from my mom and started using the canning jars as drinking glasses. I've had 1 break in 2 years. We had our first break the other night, but the jar did hit three hard surfaces on the way down. We do have some fancy glassware for guests who don't want to use jars. They have Han, Luke, Leia, and Vader on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 We drink out of the 8 oz jelly jars and the 32 oz wide mouth jars. We started drinking out of them because I'm clumsy, and I kept breaking all of our glasses. :-P I didn't want to buy a new set when I still had half of my old set, so we gradually added a canning jar here or there. I'm now down to three "real" glasses, and at this point I can see no real reason to buy a new set. The canning jars are much sturdier, and they're darn convenient. If I'm headed out, I just throw a lid on my jar of water. The 8 oz size is great for toddler hands, and I like the 32oz size because it makes it easy to see how much water I've had that day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 FWIW, I grew up with parents who were scientists, and we used lab glassware for a lot of kitchen use-it's already marked for measurement, is safe to use over heat, difficult to break, can be used in the microwave, etc. I expect it's the same practicality. It still makes more sense, from my POV, to have beakers and graduated cylinders with multiple measuring scales and steps than to have multiple measuring cups/spoons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 We drink out of them because I like them. I grew up drinking out of them. Yes, I grew up on a farm. I've never thought of it as vulgar or unclassy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest inoubliable Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I used to wonder this, too. Most of the people that I know who use them are doing it because "Pinterest made it cool". I know only one family who uses them for drinking simply because they're around for canning purposes anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabeline Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I use them because, little by little my glasses have disappeared. I have to admit, I break most of the glasses. I tend to be rough with them as I wash them. I also use them to store food and I think it's a good use of them when they are just sitting there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyday Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 My husband drinks his mixed drinks in them because he says the ice doesn't melt as fast, watering down the alcohol. We just have two mason jars that he uses only for this. We did not grow up on farms or in a rural area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 That's it. I've just always wondered, and I saw an ad today that made me wonder again. (It also made me really, really want an iced coffee.) Can someone explain? No idea. A friend's daughter just ordered several cases to use as the glasses at their wedding though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildiris Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 They're on the shelf. Nothing like drinking expensive wine out of a jelly jar to mix things up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 The DH likes the size of them for iced tea. I kind of like the quart ones for water after running, because I usually want about a cup per mile on hot days. I can line them up on the bumper of the truck to have when I complete two miles or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Because they are made out of tempered glass. For the money, they are the best savings for glasses that are tempered, which are safer. I used to have Duralex Picardie tumblers, which are tempered French glassware, the classic style. They were a lot of $. I still have some. When they shatter, they don't shard. They can go from cold to hot, they are multi purpose. I have GOBS of them. :D My nana's, my mom's, my aunt's. I have a cellar full of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Dh likes them because they hold a lot and they are strong and are convenient. He has never lived on a farm in his life and is a city boy through and through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 We don't drink out of them but I have been using them for food storage for most of my boy's lives. I can just pop leftovers in the oven or whatever and, especially when they were little and bpa free plastic was hard to find, I liked that they were glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Because they are made out of tempered glass. For the money, they are the best savings for glasses that are tempered, which are safer. I used to have Duralex Picardie tumblers, which are tempered French glassware, the classic style. They were a lot of $. I still have some. When they shatter, they don't shard. They can go from cold to hot, they are multi purpose. I have GOBS of them. :D My nana's, my mom's, my aunt's. I have a cellar full of them. Huh, I had no idea you could bake in them. I've always found them to be quaint drinking glasses - I wasn't raised on a farm either. Right now we have color coded plastic cups, but I'd rather have the glass jars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoorsy Type Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I had some leftover from storing things in the pantry, and they fit under my keurig for iced tea. ( I make it with the reusable canister filled with green tea) The tops don't bother me because I use straws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I do. They are cheaper than even the cheap glasses as Walmart. I have yet to break one. (Although now that I said that, I probably will today.) The less sturdy glasses were constantly getting broken. I was sick of replacing them. And.... I have a vintage country kitchen and am a retro girl myself. So, Mason jars fit right in. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 You can also use Mason jars with blender bases (it won't work with all models) to mix drinks directly in the jars like a Magic Bullet. I make a lot of smoothies and other iced drinks this way in the summer, and there's no reason at all to dirty a "real" glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimomma Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I do a lot of canning so I have hundreds in different sizes. However, it did not occur to use them until we had a large summer BBQ party several years ago. I did not want to use any disposable products and was able to borrow enough plates and silverware....but what to do about glasses? Then I spied the box of canning jars on the floor..... We have been hooked ever since for all of the other reasons already stated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterflymommy Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 We drank out of jars when we couldn't afford new glasses since we kept breaking ours. We didn't use mason jars, just leftover jars from jam, peanut butter, etc.. I had no idea this was cool or trendy? One thing to be careful with is that the notches at the top of the jar chip easily and a jar with even the slightest chip should be discarded as you could be swallowing glass chips invisible to the naked eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshin Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I'm a city girl and was raised a city girl, but my mom was a farm girl and she always saved jam jars to replenish our drinking cup stash. She would sometimes pick out jam from the grocery store solely based upon how pretty the jar was. My mom even poked holes in the lid for straws when we were travelling, which I see is now all the rage on Pinterest! I can and preserve a lot, so we have tons of mason jars. I did pick up some with handles at the thrift shop just because I thought they were cute, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danestress Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I guess they are like Mt Everest. We drink of them because they are there. My son had a tennis coach who used to drink out of an empty tennis ball can. He just rinsed them out and used them to mix up instant iced tea or gatorade in. I guess they help more than regular glasses, and it was thriftier than buying special drinking bottles. SOme people really like to use what they already have and what might otherwise go unused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 We used them for the differentiation. I wanted to use colored rubber bands on the glasses to identify them, but my glasses' sides are slanted. Rubber bands roll down to the bottom. Jelly jars' sides are straight and so the bands stay up. I finally found colored glasses a few months ago so we switched to those... tired of rubber bands everywhere. I agree that it got kind of trendy (even before Pinterest... probably Martha Stewart or Real Simple or something). But now when I see them in cutesy party pictures, I think it looks unoriginal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I don't use canning jars but do have jars from the French jam we buy sometimes. They make very nice glasses and since I have arthritis, it is me who needs to replace glasses and other things a lot. (My ancient hands with RA don't always hold things very well- hence we also have almost only Corelle plates which I hate when they break but I hardly ever break them since they are light). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 They are cheap....or free if you buy something in them....if they break, I couldn't care less.....and I like to make sure I get my water in....so I measure out 2 quarts in the morning and drink from it all day. I reuse the glass ball jars for leftovers ...and the nicest thing is my blender blade fits right on one and I can mix my smoothies in one....less mess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 We use them all the time, for canning, leftovers, food storage (choc. chips, rice, pasta etc) other storage (buttons, school supplies, pieces to the nebulizer etc) and drinking glasses. We use the real canning jars and the ones with the handles (picked up at a yard sale). Dh loves the quart jars, I like the pint jars, 1 kiddo likes the tall jelly jar canning jar. Everytime I see one of the quart ones with handles I think of my daddy. He always drank out of one like that, unless it was dirty then it was a regular jar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookValley. Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Um, because they are awesome? I had no idea it was becoming trendy. I've always had Ball or Mason jars around (I can and use them to store dry stuff), and they're just so...functional. I've always used them for beverages, too. They're glass. They're easy to clean. AND they have a LID. How awesome is that? It's the perfect cocktail vessel--mix then drink from the same glass, baby. ;) They're great for camping (no bugs in my wine!). I dunno. I guess I just like to drink from my jars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahbobeara Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I had no idea about drinking out of jars. I thought that was a moonshine thing :D It's a brilliant idea though...I'm going to give it a shot with the kids, they're outgrowing the little IKEA toddler cups and may be ready to try glass (eek!). I like the idea of putting a lid on top if a drink doesn't get finished, or using for storing leftovers. Thank you, Hive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea_lpz Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 They are cheap and nearly indestructible. My kids break every other type of glass we've ever had Yup. Started when we ran out of glasses and had been going through our canned goods so had an ample amount of jars hanging about and no $ to buy new glass ware. They sure are sturdy too ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Because they are the best thing for sweet tea, lots of ice and big slices of lemon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 We drink out of tall plastic tumblers. I've never had one break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Hmmm ... I have a bunch of empty ones sitting in the basement from canning jam and tomatoes. Perhaps time to repurpose? My kids break everything. Fiesta is pretty indestructible. I've broken one plate in the past 13 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 They [ball / Mason] are of glass sturdier than that used for most drinking glasses. The design imparts a casual atmosphere suitable for everyday. Libbey Glass does make some durable glasses, which I rank in second place. I wouldn't use the jar-style glasses for a formal dinner. Unfortunately, I come of urban-dwelling stock, so I can't claim The Farm as my background. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Because they are the best thing for sweet tea, lots of ice and big slices of lemon! I agree...except for the sweet part! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 Wow, I had no idea it was this common! There is nothing wrong with them, but they are jars. The part your mouth is on is threaded, and often thicker than a regular glass. This is the part that kind of weirds me out too, but I'll admit I have a few sensory issues that probably contribute to my feeling that way. I do love the idea of being able to carry a lidded jar around, and the water from our metal bottles always tastes a little funny to me. I'll have to see if I can get over my irrational squeamishness and give it a try. Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Plastic is bad. Glass jars break. Canning jars last through thick, thin and kids, and are easy to find for cheap at garage sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbanSue Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 We can and ferment so they are always lying around. They are sturdy. The 8 oz size is a good size and capacity for kids but more attractive than plastic cups everywhere. If you make a Manhattan in one, you can use the markings on the side to measure the liquor instead of finding a jigger. Not that I swig Manhattans out of Ball jars or anything . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I've always wondered this too! I never used them growing up, and now when I do they feel really thick and odd to drink out of. I never understood why so many people like them. The ridges make me feel like I'm going to drool! The durability is nice though. FYI, I'm not a picky person normally, we are still using plastic cups from when DD was small... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJoy Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I had no idea it was popular or "cool on pintrest." We had a few in our cupboard when I was growing up because my dad likes them, both for their large size and because it just feels fun/country/connected-with-our-family-farming-roots to drink a big jar of milk or iced tea with a hearty meal. Both my parents grew up drinking out of jelly jars--my dad's mom still has some from the 50s/60s. My mom is annoyed by his jars because they take up space in the cupboard, don't match her set, and she thinks it is a bit silly. I bought him this "redneck wine glass" for Christmas as a joke "compromise" for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBJones Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I grew up on a farm. My parents were always canning, but we never used them for drinking glasses while I was growing up. I find that they are great for iced tea and are very sturdy. I always think of summer on the farm when drinking sweet tea from a jar. I just like it. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennifersLost Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 We've had so many sets of glasses over the years - but we've never had a Mason jar break on us. We acquire them here and there when someone gives us a jar of jam, etc., they land in the cupboard and they have accumulated because they don't break. Everything else does. I love them - especially the mini ones. They make great glasses for mixed drinks or when you just want a small glass of soda and not a huge one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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