Gifts in Jars: easy homemade gift ideas.

There are always jars in our home: we get through a lot of jam, pickle and chutney and though I make a lot of these things too, to refill them, I always have a few jars lying around without purpose. This time of year, my mind drifts towards Christmas and Gift Giving. It’s nice to have a few gifts ready made ‘just in case’ and the humble jar is the perfect tool to have in your arsenal. Some things I often give as Gifts in a Jar are:

Chocolate Fudge sauce is quick and easy to make and makes a wonderful home-made gift. Who doesn’t love ice-cream with fudge sauce? Or cake with fudge sauce? Or just Fudge Sauce, from the jar, with a spoon??

In the giving season, a cookie mix in a jar– or indeed any baking mix- is perfect for giving. Whether you are a seasoned baker or you just bake because it’s the season, all you need is to add a couple of your own ingredients- usually eggs and fat- and you can bake away! Failing that, why not bake the cookies and put them in a jar as a gift?

I made Jars of Bodyscrub for my mum for Mother’s Day but it would make a lovely gift at any time of year.

Those are my ideas, but I’ve been looking around for a few great Gift in a Jar ideas, and here are my favourites:

The Gunny Sack has a super Spa in a Jar idea- for Valentine’s Day, a Get Well Soon Gift or for a friend’s birthday! You could add some of your Homemade Bodyscrub!
Shannanigans shares her super Jar Sewing Kit– great for all the crafters you know!
I love the Message in a Bottle Jar from Club Chica Circle: perfect for your child, or a blogging friend.
Who’s The Mummy made a sweet Snow Globe from a jar– an ideal winter craft or gift.
And what could be better than an I’m Bored Jar filled with ideas for activities to keep you busy all holiday long from Somewhat Simple.

 

Me and My Shadow has a super gift for campers: Waterproof Match Jar
Kleinworth and Co has a Tee-rific Golf Jar Gift, because everyone knows a golfer!
I love the little Hot Cocoa Jar that Nothing But Country made. It would make a great Teacher’s Gift.
I Heart Pears has put a really lovely Baby Gift in Jar together- perfect for Baby Showers and New Arrivals.
And Ribbons and Glue shows you a really simple idea: a Sweet Jar Gift. An ideal Host Gift.
Cook and Craft Me Crazy shares a Soup in a Jar Mix that would make a great Housewarming or Get Well Soon Gift.
Paint Chips and Frosting has a recipe for Candied Pecans in a Jar that any foodie, or man in your life would love to receive.
Red Ted Art put Home Made Lavender Bath Bombs in a jar. I’d love some of those.
 

 

If you are looking for more inspiration, Parragon Books have the perfect resource: Make it in a Jar has dozens of ideas for you to Bake, Make and Take in a jar that should see you through the holiday season!

And have you seen the fabulous Home-made Gift Ideas that a group of UK craft bloggers did for NetMums? There are some fabulous ideas there, including things packaged in jars!

*Disclosure: I was sent a copy of the Gifts in Jars book for review purposes.*