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Gift Jar Ideas for Christmas

Christmas cookie mix jar. Dry ingredients for making Christmas cookies in a jar, white background.

You’ve canned your goodies—now find out how to make beautiful gifts.

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Nina Firsova/Shutterfly

7 Edible Gifts That You Can Put in a Jar

Catherine Boeckmann
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Try making your own gift jars this year, because one of the nicest presents you can give is a gift of food from your own kitchen. They’re delicious, thoughtful, disposable, and always appreciated. Gifts in a Jar are especially helpful when you wish to treat many people—from neighbors to teachers to scout leaders to your mailman.

7 Recipes for Gift Jars

Here are seven edible gift ideas:

  1. Candy Cane Bark
  2. Apricot and Pistachio Bark
  3. Cranberry Chutney
  4. Christmas Granola
  5. Spiced Nuts
  6. Toffee Popcorn
  7. Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Of course, there are non-food ideas, too.  You could fill your gift jars with potpourri, homemade laundry soap, homemade bath soaks, homemade aftershave, and more!

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Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Dressing Up The Gift Jar

Remember that the jar is your packaging! Spend a little time and dress up your pickles or preserves as a special gift at Christmastime. Here are some ideas:

  • Cover those little metal tops. Start with a circle of colored paper or fabric that is two inches larger than the jar top.
  • Secure it with several turns of fine gold cord and knot the cord, leaving an inch or so hanging below the knot.
  • Secure the knot with sealing wax for a special touch. Or tie on a frilly fabric or paper doily using a fancy ribbon and a small bouquet of dried or paper flowers.
  • Traditional checked gingham gives your gifts a country look; use pinking shears to cut the circles. Or glue lace onto fabric for another look.
  • For a delightful touch, draw and cut out appropriate stencils (a strawberry for strawberry jam), and apply them to the muslin with fabric paint.
Make Your Own Gift Jars
Illustration by Margo Letourneau

Check our pages on Canning and Preserving for more ideas for your gift jars!

Christmas
About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
 

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Comments

Anne (not verified)

2 years ago

I've seen Jars of Bath Salts @ thrift stores; mostly Sea Salt + Magnesium; add food coloring and a bright ribbon to the bath salt jar~

Georgiana Caruso (not verified)

11 years 4 months ago

Aside to using jars for jams and jellies, I'm intersed in using different size of jar (pasta, pickles, and salaz jars) for gifts. I want to know how to create different things with them.

Thanks