Homemade Christmas Gift Jars

Glass jars make nice Christmas gift holders.

Finding the perfect Christmas gift for neighbors and co-workers that also fits in your budget can be a challenge, especially when you have friends and family members who are expecting you to be Santa as well. Homemade gifts are a welcome way to show that you care. A glass jar can be a versatile container for presenting Christmas gifts that are inexpensive and will appeal to a wide range of recipients.

Things You'll Need

• Glass jar with canning-style lid
• Tin snips
• Christmas lights
• Star bow
• Cookie recipe
• Cookie ingredients
• Glass jar with sealing lid
• Printed out cookie recipe
• Ribbon
• Jar with large mouth
• Coffee cup stencil
• Small bags of flavored coffee
• Chocolate-covered stirring sticks
• Flavored creamers
• Glass paint
• Paintbrush
• Candy cane sticks or lollipops
• Spiced tea or hot chocolate mix
• Epsom salts
• Sea salts
• Baking soda
• Scented oil
• Silver spoon

Instructions

Christmas Light Jar

1. Choose a canning jar with a ring-style lid. Select a jar that is large enough to hold a string of lights.

2. Cut a one-inch portion of the flat part of the lid with a pair of tin snips.

3. Coil a strand of Christmas lights inside the jar. Place the lid on the jar, allowing the plug end of the cord to hang out of the jar.

4. Place a stick-on star bow on the top of the jar. The jar can be placed on a windowsill and plugged in to shine outside.

Coffee Lover's Jar

1. Purchase a jar that has a wide mouth and is at least a quart in size.

2. Paint a coffee cup on the side of the jar using a stencil or free-hand. Paint the words, "It's time for a cup!" under the coffee cup picture. Allow the jar to dry for twenty-four hours.

3. Fill the jar with small bags of flavored coffee, chocolate-covered stirring sticks and flavored creamers. The jar can later be used to hold ground coffee or other coffee supplies.

Cookie Ingredient Jar

1. Choose a favorite cookie recipe that requires several non-perishable dry ingredients.

2. Measure out the ingredients needed for one batch of cookies and layer them carefully in the jar.

3. Tie the cookie recipe on the side of the jar with a decorative ribbon.

Other Jar Ideas

1. Paint Christmas designs on the sides of the jar with glass paint. Choose paint that is dishwasher safe.

2. Tie "bouquets" of candy cane sticks or lollipops together with a wide ribbon. Place in a small glass jar.

3. Fill jar that will seal with homemade spiced tea mix or hot chocolate mix. Include directions for mixing on the side.

4. Mix together one part Epsom salts, one part sea salt and one part baking soda to make bath salts Add a few drops of scented oil. Tie a pretty silver spoon on the side.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure glass jars are clean and dry before painting them. According to Your Decorative Painting Resource website, painted surfaces should not come in contact with food items, so make sure you leave some space between the painted area and the mouth of the jar.

References

• Your Decorative Painting Resource: Glass Paint

Resources

• Organized Home: Gifts in a Jar Recipe Index