Quick Gifts in a Jar

Hello, lovelies! ‘Tis the season to be generous and giving… But, you’re broke and losing time. Scratch the idea of buying that expensive gift for each of your family members and make a homemade gift that is inexpensive and work for lots of different people on your list. Here are four quick gifts in a jar that will show you care without taking more than a few minutes to prepare.

Bloody Mary in a Jar

Ingredients:

5.5 oz. V8 Juice Can

50 mL mini vodka bottle

59 mL mini Tabasco bottle

1.5” x 2” zip-style bag

3 Tbsp. celery salt

1 Tbsp. Paprika

2 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. ground mustard

Decoration:

A large jar

Gift tags

Cardstock

Raffia

Twine

Striped straw

Scissors

Stapler

Markers

What to do:

First things first, mix all the spices together in a bowl. Once they are well-combined, put a few tablespoons in a zip-style bag. Label with some cardstock and staple to the bag. Now it’s time to fill your jar. Place some raffia or another type of gift filler in the bottom of your jar. Then put the V8 can, vodka, Tabasco sauce and spice bag in the jar. There is also a red and white striped straw to be a little more festive. Put the lid on the jar, and add some twine and a personalized gift tag to complete the gift.

Hot Chocolate in a Jar

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cup non-fat dry milk powder

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

¾ cup powdered sugar

Mini chocolate chips

Crushed candy canes

Mini Marshmallows

Decoration:

Wide-mouth quart canning jar

Gift tags

Red twine

Scissors

Markers

What to do:

Put the ingredients in the jar in the order listed above, ensuring the layers are as level as possible before adding in the proceeding ingredient. Once all the ingredients have been added, screw the lid on tight and decorate with some red twine and a personalized gift tag.

 Add directions on the gift tag for the person receiving the gift: Mix ingredients before preparing their cup of homemade hot chocolate. For a single serving, add 8 oz. boiled water to ½ cup hot chocolate mix in a mug. Stir until completely dissolved.

Double Fudge Brownies in a Jar

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup chopped pecans

½ cup chocolate chips

Decoration:

Wide-moth quart canning

Gift tags

Red and green twine

Scissors

Markers

Spatula

What to do:

Layer the ingredients in the order given into the jar in the order given above. Pack each layer in place before adding the next ingredient. Put a lid on the jar and decorate with a personalized gift tag and twine. Add a festive spatula for extra decoration. 

Add direction on the gift tag for the person receiving the gift: You will need 1 jar Double Fudge Brownie Mix, 1 cup butter, softened and 4 eggs. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, cream butter in large bowl, add eggs to butter and beat together. Add jar’s contents and mix until smooth. Spread mixture into a greased 9 x 12 inch baking pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes.

Lazy Jar

Ingredients:

42 oz. bag Holiday Milk Chocolate M&M’s

Paper towel roll

Money (bill of your choice)

Decoration:

Large jar

Gift tags

Twine

Scissors

Markers

What to do:

Dump the whole bag of M&M’s in the jar (or as much that will fit). Cut paper towel roll down to fit in the center of the jar amongst the M&M’s (this one is about seven inches). Fold money and place in the paper towel roll. Screw on the lid and decorate with twine and gift tag.

I hope you enjoy these ideas and have a wonderful Christmas!

xx Amanda