Christmas Gift Ideas: Cocoa Jars

If you don't already have several, purchase one quart mason jars at any retailer selling canning goods. You will also want to buy some inexpensive fabric in a Christmassy print; one half to one yard will top several jars. Coordinating ribbon will dress up your gift, as well.

Wash and thoroughly dry the jars. Fill with homemade cocoa mix. If you really can't bear the thought of mixing, go ahead and use a retail product, but the following recipe is simple to make, and it makes a lot of cocoa.

This cocoa recipe has been around for years. It can be found in Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook (1989, Meredith Publishing Corporation). This recipe makes a rich and creamy hot chocolate.

Cocoa Mix
1 8 quart package non-fat dry milk powder (about 10 cups)
1 16 ounce package (approx. 4 ¾ Cups) sifted powdered sugar
1 ¾ Cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 6 oz. jar (1 ¾ cups) powdered nondairy creamer

Mix all ingredients in a very large bowl or Tupperware container until thoroughly combined. Seal tightly until used. Makes about 45 servings.

To make cocoa, combine 1/3 cup mix into ¾ cup boiling water.

Variations: add 1 ½ cups instant malted milk powder for Malted Cocoa Mix, or ½ cup instant coffee crystals for Mocha Mix.

All that is left to do is to fill the mason jars with the cocoa mix and add a decorative top.

A simple way to dress up a jar is to place a round piece of holiday fabric centered on top of the metal disk jar lid, then secure in place by screwing the metal band onto the fabric. Cut the fabric much larger than the lid to so that an inch or so hangs below the metal band. To measure, place the jar band in the center of the cloth, and make a circle two to two and a half inches larger all the way around. Adding a small amount of cotton batting or pillow filler under the fabric (on top of the lid) adds a little height and dresses up the project. Alternatively, place the fabric so that it covers the entire jar top (and again, add batting if you like). Tie ribbon around the neck of the jar to secure and add decoration to your Christmas gift.

Crafters are designing new and great looking projects to top jars all the time. A couple of other options include using hot glue to decorate jar tops with colored beads, or double sided tape to cover the lid with seed beads. Another nice touch is to add a treat bag of miniature marshmallows tied to the jar with ribbon. Search projects on the web for more ideas.

Christmas is a time of tight budgets. By finding inexpensive yet attractive gift ideas, you can give to everyone on your list.