Gifts in a Jar

image from Flickr.

Looking to save some money, but still send gifts the recipient will love? Consider putting together a Gift in A Jar. They're inexpensive, easy enough to make that even the little members of the family can be involved, and they're something that most, if not all, recipients will use! Just add the ingredients in a mason jar, and tie a card with the baking instructions onto the jar.

Squawkfox has an awesome recipe for Smores in a Jar.
Ingredients:
Layer in a large wide mouthed 1 quart mason jar:

•1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (one sleeve of crackers, crushed)
•1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows.
◦•1 1/2 cups chocolate chips or mini Hershey Kisses or M&M’s
•1/3 cup brown sugar

Combine all items (reserve marshmallows) in the jar with a 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 tsp vanilla. Press mixture into a 9in baking pan and cover with marshmallows. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes, let cool completely, and then cut into bars.

Also, found over at Squawkbox: a recipe for chocolate chip muffins:
This recipe makes a single batch of muffins.

Ingredients:
Layer in a large wide mouthed 1 quart mason jar:

•1/3 cup sugar
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•1 teaspoon salt
•2 teaspoons baking powder
•1 cup chocolate chips, or substitute raisins, dried cranberries, or nut.
Combine sugar, flour, salt, and baking powder. Place in quart mason jar. Add chocolate chips.

Mix 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 egg in a bowl. Gently mix in the ingredients from the jar, then spoon the mixture into muffin pans. Bake for 20-25 mins.


Hot Chocolate in a Jar is a pretty popular choice, here's something with a little extra spice, found here.

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Jar Mix Recipe

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups nonfat milk powder
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup nondairy creamer
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup miniature marshmallows
optional: 2 or 3 cinnamon sticks to decorate the jar
You will also need 3/4 cup of hot milk.

In a large bowl, thoroughly stir together milk powder, sugar, cocoa, creamer and cinnamon. Gently stir in marshmallows. Pour Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Mix into an airtight jar. Can be stored in a cool, dry place for about three months.


Chicken noodle soup in a jar? Pefect for this time of year. Also found at Squawkbox.
This recipe makes a pot of soup.

Ingredients:
Layer in a 1/2 quart (2 cup) glass jar:

•1/4 cup of red lentils
•2 tbsp dried onion flakes
•1 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon granules
•1/2 tsp dried dill weed or dill seed
•1/8 tsp each celery seed and garlic powder
•1 cup medium egg noodles
•1 bay leaf
In a 2 cup glass jar, layer from bottom in the order listed above.

In a saucepan, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Stir in soup mix from jar. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Remove bay leaf and stir in 1.5 cups of mixed vegetables, and 2 cups of cooked, diced chicken. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Hope the ideas above gave you a little inspiration? Kitchenlink has a HUGE list of recipes and ideas for Gifts in a Jar. Go check it out!