DIY Christmas Gifts in a Jar!

If you are running out of ideas on what to give this Christmas, here comes another fun project to make - Gifts in a Jar! It's great for everyone, the neighbors, teachers, coworkers, friends and relatives.  They are simply adorable and very easy to make.

After going over many Gifts in a Jar recipes online, here are some of the simplest ideas I found and from here make your own twist on things:

Hot Chocolate in a Jar

Layer the ingredients for homemade cocoa in a jar.  Pack each layer using back of a spoon.
Add your ribbon and a cute tag and voilà you have a simple but stylish gift. 

1 cup powdered milk

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup granulated sugar 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips

1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

This mix will fill a 1-quart jar.  At the back of the tag write "Mix contents in a large bowl and stir in 4 cups boiling water.  Makes 4 - 5 cups of delicious hot choco."

Tip:  Feel free to add other ingredients that will make your hot choco extra unique, just remember you can NOT add liquid items here.  Some examples of items you CAN layer are crushed peppermint candies or a few tsps of cinnamon powder or espresso powder or some white chocolate chips .... go ahead experiment!  I even read a recipe for Spicy Choco drink, this is with cayenne pepper! 

If you are giving this to someone who is cutting on the fat and sugar, by all means substitute the refined sugar with the equivalent splenda granulated or Stevia powder ( a better alternative) and use non fat powder milk. 

Choco Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar

Layer the ingredients for homemade choco chip cookie mix.

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (9 oz.)  Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Place flour mixture in 1-quart jar. Layer remaining ingredients in order listed above, pressing firmly after each layer. 

Recipe To Attach: Beat 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) softened butter or margarine, 1 large egg and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until blended.  Mix well, breaking up any clumps. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated 375° F for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Tip: Add another layer ( about 1/2 cup) of your favorite nuts crushed like almonds, walnuts or peanuts, or even M&M's.  If so,  adjust your Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels to only 1 cup so everything still fits in the Jar.

The best part is you can try them out first, taste test, make an attempt on different variations mentioned before assembling the final project.  These gifts will surely delight anyone in your Christmas list.

If stored properly, these can last for 1 - 2 months.  But hey, who would do that? Come on, one look and your friends will whip them up right away! I would! :-)

Hope you'll enjoy making the project!