Friday, November 28, 2008

Gifts in a jar



So, if you are like me (and I think a lot people are),
You need inexpensive gifts to give this year.
One way to achieve this, and still make the gift special,
is with a homemade gift.
I, personally, think that a "gift in a jar" is a very cute gift.

So, here are some "recipes" for gifts in a jar.


White hot chocolate mix

You'll need:
Approx. 1 Quart / 1.1 Litre Wide mouthed Jar
Recipe ingredients as shown below
Card for making tags
Ribbon
material squares
Zip Lock Bags


Jar Ingredients:
1 tsp. vanilla powder
1 tsp. dried orange peel
1/2 cup grated white chocolate or white chocolate chips


Tag Instructions: White Hot Chocolate Serves 2
1 and 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup White Hot Chocolate Mix
In a small saucepan, heat the milk until bubbles form around the outside.
Add the White Hot Chocolate Mix and whisk until the chocolate is melted.
Continue to whisk until the mixture is hot.
Enjoy!


Brownie mix

You'll need:
Approx. 1 Quart / 1.1 Litre Wide mouthed Jar
Recipe ingredients as shown below
Card for making tags
Ribbon
Zip Lock Bags


Jar Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups white sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt


Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Layer ingredients in a 1 quart "wide mouth" canning jar.
Press each layer firmly in place before adding the flour mixture.

NOTE: Be sure to wipe out the inside of the jar with a dry paper towel
after adding the cocoa powder


Tag Instructions: 1. Empty jar of brownie mix into a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly blend mix. 2. Add 3/4 sup butter or margarine melted. DO NOT USE DIET MARGARINE. Add 4 eggs, slightly beaten. 3. Mix until completely blended. 4. Spread batter into a sprayed 9 x 13 inch baking pan. 5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan. Cut into 2 inch squares. Makes 2 dozen Brownies. Makes 2 dozen.

Candy Cane bath salt
Makes 12 gift jars at a cost approximately $1.50 per jar.
Materials and Supplies for Candy Cane Bath Salts:
12 tall jelly (12-ounce) canning jars with lid and rings
2 4-pound cartons Epsom Salts (approximately 16 cups)
4 pounds sea salt or Kosher salt (approximately 6 cups)
1/2 teaspoon glycerin, divided
12 to 15 drops peppermint essential oil
12 to 15 drops red food color
2 pieces card stock (for tags)
Instructions:
Wash, rinse and dry canning jars.
Empty one carton Epsom Salts into large mixing bowl or batter bowl.
Add 3 cups sea salt, stir well.
Stir in 1/4 teaspoon glycerin and 6 to 8 drops essential oil. Mix well.
In second large mixing bowl, empty one carton Epsom Salts, and add 3 cups sea salt. Stir well. Add 1/4 teaspoon glycerin, 6 to 8 drops essential oil, and food color.
Stir until completely blended. Color should be even.
Tip: use a heavy-duty stand mixer (such as Kitchen aid-brand) to mix bath salts easily.
Set mixer to lowest setting and mix until color is even--
but don't try this with hand mixers or smaller stand mixers!
Holding canning jars at an angle, layer salts in jars, alternating white and colored mixtures.
Put a piece of holiday fabric over the lid, and tie with a ribbon or twine, and attach
tag with directions (Use 2-3 TBS for a relaxing bath.)
Brown sugar Body Scrub
Ingredients
1/2 cup
brown sugar

1/4 cup
fine sea salt

1/4 cup
olive oil
, combined with either
sunflower oil or grape seed oil
1 tablespoon
honey

1 teaspoon vitamin E (2-3 broken vitamin E capsules also work)
2-4 drops essential oils, for fragrance (i.e. almond, vanilla, honeysuckle, etc.)
Directions
1Mix all ingredients in small bowl.
2Spoon into jar that has a lid (a lid is necessary for proper storage).
3This recipe makes approx 6.5 ounces.
4The oils will settle on the top, like salad dressing! Be sure to stir before use.
Tag instructions: Apply directly to skin, rub gently.
Works very well on legs, feet, knees, elbows.
NOT recommended for face because of the oil content.
Rinse with warm water to remove excess oil from skin.
If your scrub lasts long it may eventually become dry. Just add more oil.
Caution: tub or shower may get slippery from the oils so be careful when standing up and/or exiting your shower/bath!
Sugar and Spice Milk Bath
Ingredients:
1 cup
powdered milk

1/2 cup
baking soda

2 tablespoons
sugar

1 teaspoon
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon
ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon
ground cloves
6-8 drops cinnamon oil or vanilla essential oils
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together until well blended.
Place in a large jar or divide into several cellophane bags and tie with raffia or homespun.
Attach gift tags with instructions.
Instructions for tag:
Scoop out 1/4 cup bath mix and dissolve under warm running water --
soak and enjoy!
Here are some Links to websites with free printable tags that you can use:
You can find more if you search for free recipe cards.
Happy Holidays, and have fun!

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