Kelly’s Christmas Shop

Posts Tagged ‘christmas gifts in a jar’

So, you’ve decided to give a special friend a “gift in a jar”.  Maybe you’ve chosen the recipe on this site – Minty Hot Chocolate Mix?  Or maybe some other gift of coffee or cocoa.  If so, how can you dress up your gift and make it a little more special?  Here are some ideas.

• Get some plastic spoons and dip the spoon end only in melted chocolate chips; sprinkle with non-pareils or colored sugar sprinkles if desired.  Let the chocolate set up.  Wrap a spoon or two (depending on who the gift is for) in a piece of cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon.  Include this with a gift jar of cocoa mix or coffee mix.

• Why not make some homemade biscotti?  After biscotti is cooled, dip half of each stick into melted chocolate chips (or melted vanilla candy coating also known as chocolate bark).  Let chocolate set up.  Wrap and add as you would the above spoons.

• Sew up a pretty gift bag from a festive fabric of your favorite holiday calico or even a shiny lame to wrap your gift jar in.  Decorate with twigs of silk holly and a pretty ribbon.

• Place the wrapped jar of mix in a basket and include the recipe if desired.  Then the recipient may make more when their supply runs out.

• Add a bag of home made cookies, a couple of coffee mugs and a CD of holiday music.

There are so many ways to make homemade gifts ones to remember.  What other ways can these gifts be packaged or presented?

In our busy lives, there are often so many people that we want to acknowledge and show our appreciation for during Christmas. But with tight budgets, it’s not always practical to buy a gift for everyone. That’s why making a gift and giving it with a “little flair” is often much more appreciated.

I am not a coffee drinker, but if I were, I know this is one creamer I would like. I have always loved the flavor of Amaretto. And here is a quick and easy recipe for a homemade coffee creamer that can be dressed up and made special just by the way you present it.

Amaretto Coffee Creamer

3/4 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 cup confectioners sugar

Combine all ingredients in a container with a tight fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Store in airtight container and give creamer with the recipe for Amaretto Coffee. This recipe yields 12 servings.

Make sure you attach a note to the container that says:

Amaretto Coffee: In a mug, combine 2 tablespoons of creamer with 6 ounces of coffee.

Now comes the fun part. Dressing up this gift. Here are some ideas:

• Put the ingredients in a Christmas cellophane package, tie it up tight with a bow and attach the instruction tag.
• Find a neat mug or cup and saucer at a thrift store and include it as part of the present.
• Include a note with the gift that says, “I’ll bring the mugs, you provide the coffee and creamer, and we’ll fellowship together”.

In other words, you’re only limited by your imagination. What other ways can you think of to present a nice gift like this?