Homemade Made Christmas Gifts - Gifts in a Jar

Well, it's that time of year again, Christmas, a time of joy and a time of giving. Christmas gifts can be a chore or a pleasure and I have always chosen to make them a pleasure. One of the best and easiest ways to do this is to make gifts. I have always found that most people really enjoy receiving gifts that are homemade because along with the gift comes the love and caring that was put into it.

My favorite thing to do is to make up Christmas Gift baskets. Friends and family have actually come to look forward to my baskets every year to see what goodies I put together. There's little more rewarding than to pass out the gift baskets and watch people go through them sharing their gifts and showing off what I tucked inside.

One gift I always include is gift jars. There are so many ideas and they are so easy to make. You can make anything from cakes and cookies to drinks and creamers in jars. Here's a few great gift jar recipes that you can try and share this year and a few ideas to make them even more special!

AMARETTO COFFEE CREAMER

3/4 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 cup confectioners sugar

Combine all ingredients in a container with a tight fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Store in airtight container and give creamer with the recipe for Amaretto Coffee. Yields 12 servings.

Attach to the jar: Amaretto Coffee: In a mug, combine 2 tablespoons of creamer with 6 ounces of coffee.

APPLE, CINNAMON, WALNUT OATMEAL MIX

1 package {7 oz.} dried apples
1 container {18 oz.} quick-cooking oats
1 jar {3 oz.} non-dairy creamer
1/2 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Place dried apples in a processor; process until finely chopped. Add remaining ingredients and process until well blended. Store in airtight container. Give with serving instructions. Makes 7 1/2 cups mix; about 15 servings.

Attach to jar or container: Stir 2/3 cup boiling water into 1/2 cup oatmeal mix until well blended. Let stand until thickened.

BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Combine the flour, baking soda, white sugar, and the chocolate chips. Place 1/2 of the mixture in a clean quart sized glass jar, and pack firmly. Place the brown sugar on top, again packing firmly. Place the remaining flour mixture on top. Cover with a lid.

Attach an index card with the following directions: Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In separate bowl combine 3/4 cup of butter, 1 1/2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture.

Drop by tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 2 dozen.

CAPPUCCINO MOCHA MIX

6 Tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
3 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa
1-1/4 cups powdered nondairy creamer, plain or Irish cream
1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

In a medium bowl, stir together espresso coffee powder, cocoa, nondairy creamer, sugar and cinnamon. Store tightly covered.

For the gift label: "For each cup of cappuccino, measure 4 tablespoons mix into a coffee mug and stir in 6 oz. of boiling water." Makes 2 1/2 cups of mix ( enough to 10 servings).

EASY COCOA MIX

1(2-lb.) box of Quik
1 (16 oz.) jar CoffeeMate
1(1 lb.) box powdered sugar
1 (8-oz.) box dry milk
**You can also add mini marshmallows to the mix

Mix all ingredients together well. Store in airtight container.

For the gift label: For each cup of cocoa, add 3 to 4 heaping tablespoons of mix per cup of boiling water.

MAKE YOUR GIFT MORE SPECIAL

Get some spoons and dip the spoon end only in melted chocolate chips; sprinkle with non-pareils or colored sugar sprinkles. After the chocolate cools, wrap the end of the spoon in some colored cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon. Include this with a gift jar of cocoa mix or coffee mix.

Make some homemade biscotti. After biscotti is cooled, dip half of each stick into melted chocolate chips and decorate with sprinkles and wrap. You can also do this with just about any kind of cookies. Package them pretty and add them to the gift basket.

Place the wrapped jar of mix in a basket and include the recipe if desired so the recipient may make more when their supply runs out. Add a bag of home made cookies and a couple of coffee mugs to complete the gift basket.

For cookie mixes you can add a couple of wooden mixing spoons and tie the handle with some pretty ribbon and attach it to the jar.

Make sure to decorate your jars. Cover the tops with some decorative fabric and tie with a bow.

Add a couple of jars to a basket filled with colored shredded wrap and decorate with a bow or sprig of green.

Now these lovely idea make fantastic Christmas Gifts but they are also wonderful gifts anytime of the year so don't limit yourself! Have some fun and get creative!