Gift in a Jar are easy to make and are great gifts for loved ones and friends. You can simply make these gifts in your own kitchen with a few items. Over the next few days I will be adding recipes to make gifts in a jar. This post will have the basic needs and steps to make your own gifts in a jar.

Things you will need

• quart jar, large or small mouth opening with lid
• large rubber bands
• 8×8 square piece of material
• decorative ribbon
• recipe card, index card, or card stock
• Funnel of some sort, I use a fold-able cutting board so I can adjust the size of the opening. Paper also works if you don’t have a funnel.
• Hole Punch

To make these get the ingredients together in separate containers. Place the funnel in the jar and carefully pour the ingredients make sure to pack them down tightly. Sometimes recipes call for nuts, choclate chips or M & Ms its best to put them at the top or put brown sugar on top of it, soft powders will slowly sift to through them.? When full put lid on add the material securing it with a rubber band. Tie the ribbon with the instruction card? around the rubber band and make a pretty bow.

Some simple tips

When using cocoa or powdered sugar, wipe inside of jar before adding another ingredient to keep the layered look in the jar.

If you are using a two piece lid you can forget about the rubber band, simply put the material between the lid and the ring then tighten

Make the jars within a month of giving the gift, they can be stored 10-12 weeks after they are put together.

Print the directions with a printer on cards, it can safe some time and for some like myself neater.

You can also use jars with the lid on them that clamp shut or decorative jars, this helps the recipient want to reuse it and remember you when they use it.

Ideas to add to your jars

If? you are making a drink you can add Chocolate dipped spoons or chocolate dipped biscotti

With Cookies add a cookie cutter

Cake mixes a wooden spoon

Soup mixes a ladle

Making homemade gifts for friends and family are a great way to show how much you really care with out having to break the bank. You can often find flour, cocoa, sugar and other dry ingredients at stores with bulk bins such as WinCo and Fred Meyers for a good price. These can also be made with regular or organic products depending on your tastes or the gift recipients preference.