Last Minute Gifts

I had quite a few e-mails about my Gifts In A Jar post a couple weeks ago, so since we are in the last minute Christmas rush, I thought I would share even more ideas on this topic.  My friends Susanne and Nicole are offering an e-book with 200 Jar Gift Recipes!  You can find that here:  www.dinewithoutwhine.com/gifts

Here is an another article on the subject:

Beautiful Last Minute Gift Ideas – Mix In A Jar Only a couple of days before Christmas you all of a sudden realize you need a few more last minute gifts. Should you make a quick trip to the mall and fight with everyone else over what is left of the decent presents? If you’re like me, that idea doesn’t sound like fun. A much better idea is to make a thoughtful and useful inexpensive gift your family and friends will love receiving. Here is a great idea for a last minute Christmas present that you can literally put together Christmas Eve. Best of all, the recipient will love and actually use it.  It’s a gift in a jar and the basic idea is to fill a decorated or even plain glass jar with a the dry ingredients of a  baking or cooking mix.

Here’s an example. Mix together a hot chocolate mix out of cocoa powder, sugar, powdered creamer and some spices and fill the Mason jar ¾ of the way with it. Add a layer of miniature marshmallows on the top.  Make a little label with directions on how to turn this hot chocolate mix into hot cocoa by adding some warm milk. Of course the mini marshmallows will be used to top it all off.

You an also mix the dry ingredients of your favorite brownie or cookie recipe. Even better, layer the ingredients in the jar for an even more visually appealing gift. A brownie mix for example could start with a layer of flower, then some walnuts, topped by a layer of sugar and then chocolate chips. Don’t forget to add a card with the recipe and instructions on how to turn this mix into some delicious fresh baked cookie or brownies.

Remember you are not limited to cookies and brownie mixes. You can add cake mixes, dry ingredients for your favorite soup or chili, or even create your own spice or dry rub mixes. Pour the finished mix in a jar and you are almost ready to go.

Of course you want the recipient to know what’s in the jar. Make a label and glue it on the jar. Of course you could also use a permanent marker to write it on the jar or lid.  For a decorative touch, cut a piece of fabric into a square that overlaps the lid of the jar by at least an inch. Center the fabric over the closed lid and secure it by tying a ribbon around it.

Write the recipe for the mix on a card or a piece of thick paper. Make a small hole and thread a piece of ribbon through it and tie it around the Mason jar as well. That’s all there’s to it. You now have a beautiful homemade gift in a jar.

For over 200 recipe ideas for all kinds of Gifts In a Jar visit www.dinewithoutwhine.com/gifts and get started making those beautiful last minute Christmas Presents.

Also, Jennifer Caligado writes in: 

I was just reading over your recipe packet for gifts in a jar and saw some recipes we have tried this year – my kids and I did a few different drink mixes in individual bags, plus a couple of chocolate spoons and a small handmade angel ornament – it was all put into a brown paper bag decorated like a gingerbread house (an idea I got from an Oriental Trading Catalog) – the kids did most of the work and everyone we’ve given them to has absolutely loved them – it has been a great way to have gifts for a large number of people without spending a great deal of money – we have lots of “extras” for those unexpected occasions when we need to give a gift – many people these days have most of the toys/trinkets they want or need but something homemade and given from the heart seems much more appreciated - I have been very pleasantly surprised by how well received the gift bags have been

A different take on this idea that i did a few years ago was a “meal in a basket” - I used a soup mix in a jar, a bread mix in a jar, a beverage mix in a jar and a dessert mix in a jar – all were put into a pretty basket with a decorative bow and, same as this year, the recepients just loved them – again, I made extras of each jar/mix and was glad to have them on hand for those unexpected gifts.  Just thought I’d share those ideas with you
Jenn 
GREAT IDEAS!  Thanks Jenn!
Happy Holidays,
Christine