Gifts in a Jar: The Perfect Christmas Gift for Today's Fast Paced World

Another year has almost passed and Christmas is right around the corner! With the economy down as far as it can go and the constant increase in the cost of living, I am sure you are looking for ways to cut the cost of your holiday shopping.

The absolute best way to cut your costs on Christmas gifts, is to make them yourself! Gifts in a Jar are a great gift to give to your family and friends, especially those that don't have time to make homemade cookies and soups.

Try this Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe:

Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix the salt and baking soda in with the flour, then layer the ingredients a large jar in the order listed, with the chocolate chips on top. Use scissors to cut a 9 inch-diameter circle from calico. Place over lid and secure with rubber band. Tie on a raffia or ribbon bow to cover rubber band.

Enclose a card with the following mixing and baking directions:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Note: Store this jar in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months before using.

contents of this jar
1 cup unsalted butter or margarine
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sift dry ingredients through a colander to separate the chocolate chips from other ingredients. Beat butter in a medium bowl until creamy. Beat sifted ingredients into butter until blended. In a small bowl, beat egg with vanilla. Mix beaten egg mixture into butter mixture until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop teaspoonfuls of batter, spaced well apart, onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake 8 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes 4 dozen.

Or maybe this soup recipe would be better for a cold, snowy day!

Chicken Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar recipe

Place following ingredients into an airtight jar:

1 cup uncooked fine egg noodles
1 1/2 tablespoons chicken-flavored bouillon
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried whole thyme
1/8 teaspoon celery seeds
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 bay leaf

Attach this recipe to the jar:

Chicken Noodle Soup:

Entire contents of soup mix from the jar
8 cups water
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup minced onion
3 cups cooked diced chicken

Empty the soup mix from the jar and the water into a large stockpot. Add the carrots, celery, and onion and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the chicken and simmer an additional 5 minutes.

Take some time to search the links shown here, you will find hundreds of more recipes for Gifts in a Jar and always remember to decorate the jar with some fabric covering the lid and pretty ribbon or string and don't forget to add the remainder of the recipe!