DIY Healthy Holiday Jar Gift Ideas

Jar gifts are an ideal choice when going the DIY route this holiday season. Not only are they inexpensive to put together, but you are also able to fill the jars with healthy items for your loved ones who are health conscious. Below are three different ideas for DIY healthy jar gifts.

Trail Mix in a Jar

It will depend on the size of the jar that you have, as to how much of each ingredient you'll need. I would say add 1 cup of each ingredient until you have filled the jar completely. Mix everything up in a bowl before adding it to the container.

Ingredient Ideas:

Nuts (peanuts, cashews, walnuts, almonds)
Sunflower seeds
Dried Fruit (cranberries, apples, apricots, raisins, pineapples)
Banana chips
Chex Mix

If you would like to include just a bit of sweetness to the jar, mini chocolate chips are a perfect way to lightly add something fun for the person with a sweet tooth.

Oatmeal in a Jar

Fill up your jar with quick-cooking oats. In smaller containers (or in their original store bought containers) include a jar of cinnamon or container with a sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Directions to write on a recipe card or print onto paper:

For one serving, mix 1/4 cup oatmeal and 1 cup water into a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Tip - Make a basket using the jar of oatmeal as your main item. Along with your jar of oatmeal, include some nutritious items that can be added to your oatmeal, such as bags of dried fruit and almonds.

Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar

You'll Need:

1 c uncooked egg noodles
1 1/2 tablespoons chicken-flavored bouillon
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Take all of the ingredients and mix them up in a bowl. Dump the mixture into the jar or canister of your choice, then fill the rest of the container with the uncooked egg noodles.

Directions to write on a recipe card or print onto paper:

Add ingredients from jar into a large pot of water filled with 8 cups of water. Additionally, you may slice up some carrots or celery to include with the soup mix. Boil for 10 minutes and then simmer for 20 minutes.

Tip - If you are preparing this gift for a family, you may want to prepare a bulk version of this mix. Instead of including the soup mix and noodles in the jar, just make a jar full of the soup mix and then include packages of noodles on the side. Making a basket of the soup mix and packages of various noodles would be perfect!

Decorate Your Jars and Baskets

- Take a square of holiday fabric to place over the top of the jar's lid. You can then tie holiday ribbon around the lid to secure the fabric in place.
- You don't have to use mason jars for the mixes, you can find uniquely shaped canisters to fill as well.
- Holiday ribbon can also be tied around the baskets for a festive look.
- Add bundles of cinnamon, scented candles, boxes of herbal tea, or coffee to the holiday basket to enhance the jar gift you have made.