How to Give Homemade Christmas Gifts in a Jar

The holidays are nearing, and your list of people to shop for just keeps on growing. Unfortunately, your budget has not expanded. In fact, it may be tighter than ever. One way to save money on your holiday gift giving is by presenting friends and family with homemade gifts. Some of the most popular homemade presents are gifts in a jar. These rival expensive, store bought treats. With the right knowledge, you can whip up a variety of Christmas gifts in jars that your loved ones will adore.

Find recipes or instructions for a few different gifts in a jar. Choose three or four different ideas. This way not everyone on your list will receive exactly the same gift, and you can give more appropriate presents. You might choose two food gifts in a jar and two bath or home gifts in a jar. Following are two of my personal favorites. One is a food gift and the other is a spa gift.

Cappuccino in a Jar

Ingredients:

2/3 cup instant coffee

1 cup powdered coffee creamer

1 cup powdered chocolate (like Nesquik)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients and pour into jars. Makes 24 ounces. Attach a label with these directions: Mix 3 tablespoons with 6 ounces hot water for delicious cappuccino!

Candy Cane Bath Salts

Ingredients:

4 cups Epsom Salt

2 cups Kosher or sea salt

Peppermint essential oil

Red food color

Mix two cups Epsom salt and one cup sea or kosher salt in a large bowl. Mix the remaining salts in another bowl. Add three or four drops of peppermint oil to each bowl and mix thoroughly. Add a few drops of red food coloring to one of the bowls, mixing well between each drop, until you have a pink color. Hold one of your canning jars at an angle, and pour in some of the white salts. Repeat with a layer of pink, still angling the jar so the salts appear striped like a candy cane inside the jar. Continue until the jar is full. Add a tag that says, "Pour a handful into your warm bathwater for a rejuvenating bath."

Plan a day that you can devote to shopping for ingredients and preparing your gifts in a jar. Create a list of everything you will need, and plan a shopping route. Some things, such as cookie or brownie ingredients to layer in a jar, will be at the grocery store. Others, like potpourri and small Christmas lights to create a potpourri warmer, can be found at department or drugstores.

Make the non-food items first, since they are nonperishable. Line up all of your ingredients. Set up all the jars you want to fill with this item and make them assembly line stile. When you are finished, go on to your next item.

Think of cute, festive ways to decorate and label your jars. You can attach raffia, ribbons or yarn. If you are using mason jars, cut a piece of fabric into a small square using pinking shears. Unscrew a jar lid, removing the metal ring but leaving the flat circle part of the lid in place. Set the square over the top and replace the ring. Attach small gadgets that correspond with the gift, such as a little scoop or spatula.

Print labels by hand and hang them on the lid. Another option is to print onto label paper using your computer printer. Make sure you note what the item is and instructions on how to use it.

Now, for a few final tips before you begin. If someone has special dietary needs or is trying to lose weight, consider giving them a non-food gift in a jar rather than a sweet treat. Get the ingredients for a multi-bean soup and layer them prettily in a jar. Check thrift and dollar stores for unique, interesting and affordable jars.