Christmas Gift Ideas: A Gift in a Jar

With the holiday season fast approaching, money becomes tight and the bills become bigger. Alot of us are looking for ways to create homemade gifts to cut corners and save some cash. Homemade gift jars are the perfect way to make a present for little money! They are great to give as gifts, or to add to a gift basket. Here's a bunch of great ideas for various homemade Christmas gift jars that are fun and easy to put together.

Hot Chocolate Mix

What you will need:
3 cups of powdered sugar
8 ounces of non-fat dry milk
16 ounces of instant chocolate milk
6 ounces of non-dairy creamer

Mix all the ingredients well and store in an airtight container until you are ready to make gift jars. Pack in a jar with a lid. Decorate the jar with a ribbon or bow, and attach a gift tag with the instructions, "add 3 tablespoons to one cup of hot water". Friends and family will enjoy a hot cup of chocolate drink on those cold winter nights.

Sand Art Brownies

In this order, add to a wide mouth quart jar:
3/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 tsp. of baking powder
1/3 cup of cocoa
1/2 cup of flour
2/3 cup of brown sugar
2/3 cup of white sugar
1/2 cup of chocolate chips
1/2 cup of vanilla chips
1/2 cup of nuts

Add a decorative bow or ribbon. Add a tag with instructions of making the brownies:

"Combine the contents of this jar with: 1 tsp. vanilla, 2/3 cup of vegetable oil, and 3 eggs. Pour in shallow pan, bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cut and enjoy!"

Powdered Milk Bath

What you will need;
Dry milk
Scented oil-perfume oil or essential oil

Mix about one cup of dry milk with 5-8 drops of oil, more or less for a lighter or stronger scent. You can use any kind of oil or scent you like, and tailor each milk bath to your family and friends desire. Put in jars, add decorative ribbons and bows. Add a tag with the directions, "To use, add to hot running bath water".

Spiced Tea Mix

What you will need:
1 and 1/2 cups of instant orange breakfast drink
3/4 cups of iced tea mixture
1 and 1/2 cups of sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground ginger

In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Pour into a quart jar and seal tightly. Add on ribbons or bows for a decorative touch. Add a tag with the directions to mix with water and ice and enjoy! Everyone will love having a glass of spiced tea from your homemade mixture.