Inexpensive Edible Christmas Gifts In a Jar

When it comes to coming up with gift ideas that are inexpensive, it is not always easy. Christmas is a time of sharing, of family and also of great stress. Some of the stress comes from having to come up with gifts for so many people. The stress may be a result of the cost of the gifts, but it is more than that, it is finding a gift that is just perfect for everyone. 

Creating gifts that are inexpensive and can be delivered in a pretty jar is an easy way to lessen the stress and the expense of gift-giving.

Start by deciding what type of a jar you are going to use. If you don’t want to spend the money to buy Bell Canning Jars, you can start saving used jars early in the year and by late fall, you will have a nice collection. Mayonnaise jars, pickle jars, and jam jars are just a few that will work nicely. Look for ones with pretty or unusual shapes and adequate size to hold what you are planning to give.

Hot chocolate mix

Hot chocolate is a fun and almost universally loved gift. If you want to make it extra special, purchase the best chocolate that you can afford. Dress it up by adding crushed candy cane, instant coffee, dry French vanilla coffee creamer or hazelnut. Add mini marshmallows and you are all set. Pick up inexpensive but pretty mugs and place the hot chocolate together with the mug in a Christmas box. Don’t forget to add the directions. These can be printed on heavy weight paper and rolled like a scroll around the spoon or they can be placed as a label on the jar.

Scone mix

Find a great recipe for scones. A good choice at Christmas might be dried cherries or strawberries perhaps with the addition of chocolate chips. Mix up a big batch of all the dry ingredients. Place them in the jar. Add a pretty wooden spoon and attach it to the jar along with the recipe.

Soup

Bean, pea or lentil soups are perfect for giving as a gift in a jar. You mix up the beans with any spices that normally go into them. You want to be able to give them the bare bones for the soup and they will add the fresh vegetables. You can place the bouillon powder in the jars as well. Again buy good quality ingredients for the best results. A soup spoon attached to the jar with the recipe finishes this gift off nicely.

Flavored oil

Buy a large container of high-quality virgin olive oil. Add fresh herbs to make a flavored oil. These should be given in special bottles that you buy just for the purpose.

Pet treats

If you have a friend who has a beloved pet, you may want to bring a little something for Spot or Puff. There are dog cookies and kitty treats that are easy to make and these can be placed in one of your jars that you have been collecting. Make a pretty label and add a ribbon and you are ready for a Christmas visit. The pets will appreciate these edible gifts.

Nuts

Buy some inexpensive nuts. You can choose mixed or one specific kind. The trick here is to make the plain nuts gourmet. You can do that with spices or by candying them. These are a delicious and healthy treat.

These are just a few ideas for inexpensive edible Christmas gifts in a jar.  Others include corn muffin mix, chocolate chip cookies and brownies are a few other choices that are very popular.