Creative and Personal Gifts in a Jar

Homemade Gift Giving on a Budget

Nov 17, 2008 Theresa Bledsoe

If you're looking for a unique gift that your children can make and share, consider helping them put together personalized gifts in a jar.

Creating gifts in a jar can be both fun and educational for young children. Because there are many options for this unique form of gift giving, children have the opportunity to engage in creative expression, sorting, planning, organizing, measuring, etc., all while putting together a gift of their own design for giving.

Most are familiar with the gifts in a jar that involve recipes. The ingredients are assembled attractively in a clear jar or container, and the directions for baking or cooking are attached. The recipient then is gifted with an "instant" cookie, soup, or dip mix with homemade taste.

Creating the Gift

Gifts in a jar can be assembled to include much more than food. Children can choose a theme which they think will appeal to a friend or relative and build upon that. For instance, for a sibling who enjoys baseball, the container could be filled with baseball cards, a ball, and a lightweight cloth cap. For a relative who enjoys scrapbooking, the jar could contain unique stamps, ink, ribbons, stickers, etc. Part of the fun is in deciding on a theme and selecting small gifts that can be incorporated.

Throughout the year, be on the lookout for clear plastic jars (empty mayo jars work great), and other types of unbreakable containers with interesting shapes. If your child prefers the jar to have a gift wrapped look, have him cut wrapping paper to line the inside of the jar before adding the contents. Better yet, encourage him to design his own colorful liner.

The Finishing Touch

Once the jar is filled, help your child use pinking shears to cut an 8 or 9 inch circle from gingham, calico, or a seasonal fabric. Place the fabric over the lid of the jar and secure with a rubber band. Tie on a raffia bow or a ribbon to cover the rubber band. Attach labels, gift tags, and directions as needed. Viola! Your child has a personalized gift ready for giving.

Gift in a Jar: Butterscotch Chip Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/8 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup flaked coconut
  • 1 cup crisp rice and wheat cereal
  • 3/4 cup butterscotch chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Layer the ingredients in the order given in a one quart wide mouth jar. Firmly pack each ingredient in place. It will be a tight fit, but all ingredients will fit into the jar. Attach a card with the following mixing and baking instructions.

Directions:

  1. Empty jar of cookie mix into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add 1/2 cup of butter or margarine, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.
  3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together.
  4. When completely blended, roll into large walnut-sized balls.
  5. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and flatten slightly.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees F. in a preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

Makes 2 dozen.

Many ordinary recipes can be used to create gifts in a jar. Just look for recipes with colorful dry ingredients that can be layered easily for an attractive presentation. For non-food gifts, variety is also a key. Let your imagination flow for a truly unique gift.

The copyright of the article Creative and Personal Gifts in a Jar in Homeschooling is owned by Theresa Bledsoe. Permission to republish Creative and Personal Gifts in a Jar in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.