Affordable Handmade Christmas Gifts: Jar Gifts and More

It is difficult to imagine a happy holiday this year with so much fighting going on in the world. It may be a bit corny, but my Christmas wish is to have peace on earth and good will toward all. Far too many of our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, cousins, aunts, uncles, and other relatives are spending their holiday time abroad fighting a senseless war with no real enemy. Not only are our soldiers missing holidays with their families, but also innocent Iraqi people are suffering as much as everyone else is.

Since the economy fell into such disarray, Santa's gift list will be rather lean this year. The economy is ruined. Few can afford to travel to meet with family and friends due to the high cost of fuel. Worst still are the families who depend on fuel to heat their homes, water, and even their stoves to cook.

Until we are finally able to remove the puppet warmonger sitting in his dictatorship-mode in the White House, everyone will have to make do with what we have, no matter how little it is this year. Here are a few homemade ideas to bring some holiday cheer into your home. We must create our own holiday magic for children and for adults as well.

In a time when Santa's gift-giving list will be extremely lean, here are some things we can create to make this holiday a bit brighter despite all the war and hate spreading across the globe this year. It is this writer's way to bring some holiday cheer to the masses.

Jar Gifts: Everyone loves jar gifts; here are a few that will put a smile on the recipient's face.

Required Supplies for Project

Quart-size jars with lids Index Cards with lines (Cards in Christmas colors add a bit of holiday cheer)
Scrap fabric Hole punch (Decorative punch designs work great)
Cotton balls Christmas bags with colorful tissue paper large enough to hold jar
Plastic wrap (Christmas designs are excellent) Candy Canes
Ribbon
Glue (craft glue works well)

Required Steps and Ingredients

Wash & Dry jars, lids, and rings thoroughly
Choose a series of recipes and ingredients
Fill each jar with specific ingredients

Decorating the Jar

Cut a 6-9-inch fabric circle, add a few cotton balls to the underside of the fabric, center the fabric with cotton balls across the top of the jar, and then use craft glue to glue the fabric to the underside of the lid. Place heavy object over the fabric and lid to hold in place until dry.

Copy recipe for specific jar using best handwriting skills, fancy print font, or even calligraphy onto the lined side of index card, add the recipient's name on the opposite side of card... Punch a hole into the corner or the top of the index card. Run enough ribbon through the card to tie around the neck of jar below lid. If necessary, dab dots of craft glue onto ribbon to make it sit straight against the jar. Tie a bow on one side, again using a dab of craft glue to help ribbon remain in place.

Fill jar with specified ingredients, place a layer of Christmas colored plastic wrap over top of jar opening, add lid to jar ring, and screw the lid with ring onto the jar to create a nice seal. Optional: Add a thin square of fabric over plastic wrap before adding lid and ring for added holiday appearance. Glue a candy cane to the side of the jar at a slight angle... Be extremely careful when traveling to prevent breaking the candy cane or better still, add candy cane after arriving at guest's house.

Dry Mix for Jar

M&M Candy Cookie Mix Ingredients
2 Cups Flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
Christmas-colored M&Ms candy pieces Layer each ingredient in quart-size canning jar in exact order listed. Various sized funnels help layer the ingredients evenly. Add M&M candies to fill the space between the ingredients and top of jar. Tap jar against towel-covered countertop to settle ingredients without the risk of breaking the jar. Add more M&M candies if necessary to fill jar. Glue or tie candy cane to jar at an angle to prevent breaking the cane. Add completed jar to tissue-filled Christmas bag.

M&M Candy Cookie Recipe
3/4 cup softened butter or margarine
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Jar Contents
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Empty jar contents into large mixing bowl; blend mix well. Using hands, add butter until completely blended. Beat one egg and vanilla extract and add it to the batter creating a somewhat crumbled mixture. Shape dough mix into 1-inch balls. Add a light coating of non-stick Pam Spray. Place cookie balls 2-inches apart on a baking sheet. Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until edges are brown.

Adult Coffee Spectaculars for Parties

M&M Candy Coffee Sweetener
Replace sugar in the sugar dish with M&M candies. Leave a variety of spoons nearby on a nice decorative dish or lace trivet so everyone can add a spoonful or two of M&M candies to sweeten coffee while adding a hint of chocolate flavoring.

Chocolate-Covered Spoons
Heat chocolate in a fondue pot or on low heat in a saucepan on the stove, carefully dip the spoon section of plastic spoons into the chocolate and remove it to cool before dipping again to prevent warping the spoons. Allow chocolate to cool completely before setting on decorative dishes located near the coffee maker or coffee carafe. Everyone can add a bit of chocolate to their coffee.