How to Make Edible Christmas Gifts in a Jar

Homemade jar gifts are simple but thoughtful Christmas presents.

Homemade gifts in a jar are simple to assemble and inexpensive to create. Recipe ingredients are assembled in layers in a glass jar and topped off with pretty decorations. Reuse old marinara or Mason jars with lids to make jar s'mores, a delicious gift. Holiday desserts, winter soups and spice mixes make good jar gifts. Print out gift cards or handwrite them with a calligraphy pen. A bit of Christmas ribbon tied around the jar lid gives these DIY gifts a special touch.

Things You'll Need

• 1-quart jar
• Dry cloth
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• Card stock
• 1/2-inch grosgrain or craft ribbon
• 1/16-inch grosgrain ribbon
• Scissors
• Hole punch

Instructions

Jar S'mores

1. Remove the lid from a one-quart jar and wipe any dust from inside the jar. If you rinse the jar, wipe it completely dry. Set the jar on a flat surface.

2. Pour 1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the jar.

3. Pour 1 ½ cups of miniature marshmallows on top of the graham cracker crumbs. Spread the marshmallows around as you pour them to make a flat layer.

4. Pour 1 ½ cups of chocolate chips into the jar as your next layer.

5. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of brown sugar on the very top.

6. Print or write preparation directions, detailed in the next section, on a 2 x 2-inch piece of card stock. Write "To" and "From" on the opposite side.

Card Directions

1. Mix all the jar ingredients in a glass bowl with a half-cup of melted butter and one teaspoon of vanilla.

2. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch square baking pan, pressing it firmly into the pan. Place more marshmallows on top.

3. Bake the s'mores at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

4. Allow the dessert to cool completely. Cut the cooled dessert into snack bars.

Assembly

1. Place the lid tightly on the jar. Do not shake the jar.

2. Measure and cut a two-foot length of 1/2-inch ribbon.

3. Tie the ribbon into a bow around the jar lid.

4. Clip the ends of the ribbon so that they hang down about three inches from the bow. Cut a "V" shape into each end for a decorative touch.

5. Measure and cut a one-foot length of 1/16-inch ribbon.

6. Punch a hole in the upper left corner of the recipe card. Slide the card over the narrow ribbon and wrap it around the jar lid on top of the larger ribbon.

References

• Squawk Fox: Homemade Gifts in a Jar