How to Create Gourmet Jar Gifts That Will Steal the Show
The secret to impressive gourmet gifts in jars for any occasion
Mason jar gifts are trendy and cost-effective gift ideas for friends, loved ones, or co-workers. These homemade gifts carry that special touch you created by you. These are easy to make ahead in batches, so you are never caught without having something to give, that is both thoughtful and usable.
Think about giving these for Christmas gifts and any occasion where gifting would be suitable. Birthdays, Mother’s and Father’s Day, graduations, housewarming, get-well-soon, and others would be great to give these homemade, delicious treasures.
Certain foods typically come to mind when you think of gifts in a jar, but by expanding your viewpoint about that, you’ll find a wider variety of mason jar recipes.
The possibilities are endless, from mason jar Christmas gifts to themed gifts in a jar. Each can convey that special touch that only you provide, reflecting your personality and care for the recipient.
If you are using these as gifts, one idea is to make up several batches of different kinds to have on hand.
For Christmas gifts, making these throughout the year makes it easier when this holiday comes around. This prevents that last-minute crunch from creating a bunch under time pressure. You can relax and enjoy the process of creating and adding those little extra touches that make them so special.
You’ll then have a variety stashed and ready to go. Plus you won’t ever be caught-off-guard by a last-minute gift that is needed, simply pull from your already-made stash.
Groups of foods that can be used as jar gifts:
Rubs for grilling meats
Spice blends
Biscuit mixes
Waffle and pancake mixes
Soup mixes
Cookie dough
Flavored coffee creamers
Winter drinks
Flavorful vinegars
Puppy cookies
Jellies, relishes, or preserves
Gourmet mustards
How you accessorize your gifts in a jar is a way to express your creativity, not to mention tailoring the types of food the person would love receiving.
Presentation is everything, and with mason jar gift ideas, you can ensure your jar gifts are as visually appealing as they are delightful.
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Here are some decorative jars that would look super cute as gifts.
Mini wire whisks are great to tie on with ribbons.
You can get very artistic when labeling your mason jar gifts. Using pre-made label templates, you could include clip art, poems, pictures, a cute quote, or a special memory with that person, or you could just write the recipe itself.
It could also be a combination of those suggestions, turning recipes in a jar into personalized cookie jar gifts or mason jar dessert recipes that serve as a sweet token of affection.
Consider making specific themes, such as a Valentine’s Day jar gift, a horse, dog or cat-themed jar, or a favorite sport. The options are limitless.
Below are a few unique recipes that may inspire some jar gift ideas:
Lavender Mustard
· 1/4 cup honey
· 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
· 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
· 1/4 cup grain mustard
· 1 cup fresh lavender finely chopped
· Salt and black pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and mix until very smooth. Increase your recipe for as large of a batch as you want to produce.
Taco Seasoning
· 6 teaspoons chili powder
· 5 teaspoons paprika
· 4 1/2 teaspoons cumin
· 3 teaspoons onion powder
· 2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
· 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Mix all ingredients in an airtight container; mix well. Pour into the sized jars that you want to present as gifts. Makes 21 tsp. Seven tsp. of mix equals one package of purchased taco seasoning mix for 1 pound of hamburger is recommended.
Product Recommendation: Pick up more ideas for homemade jar gifts to give with this book Gifts in Jars: Homemade Cookie Mixes, Soup Mixes, Candles, Lotions, Teas, and More!
Holiday Stuffing Mix
Quart sized jar
3 to 3–1/2 cups of bread cubes (can be bought or homemade)
Leave room for a seasoning pack in the jar.
Seasoning Mix
· ¼ tsp celery seed
· 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
· 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
· 2 envelopes chicken bouillon granules
· ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
· ½ tsp sage
· ¼ tsp garlic powder or minced garlic
In a small plastic bag, join all seasonings and mix well. Seal off the bag with twist tie or ziplock and place it on top of the bread cubes.
Instructions:
In a saucepan boil 1 cup of water and 2 Tablespoons of butter and seasoning mix. Reduce heat to low add bread crumbs and stir. Remove from heat and let stand 2–3 minutes and then fluff with a fork.
Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
· 1/2 cup dried cranberries
· 12 cinnamon sticks
· 1/2 tsp. crushed whole cloves
· 2 Tbsp. whole allspice
In a bowl, mix cranberries and spices together. Store in an airtight container.
Attach these directions to the jar gift:
· 2 quarts apple cider
· 1 quart water
· 1 package Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
· 2 oranges, sliced
In a saucepan combine cider, water, and Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix. Heat but do not allow to boil. Add most of the orange slices. Serve warm, garnished with the remaining orange slices.
Chai Mix
· 1 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
· 1/4 cup black tea leaves
· 12 cardamom pods
· 4 2 inch pieces of cinnamon stick
· 2 tsp dried lemon peel
Layer all ingredients in 2 6 oz. jars.
Directions for the label:
Put ingredients of one jar in a large saucepan along with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes. Strain through a wire strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Add honey to taste, then serve.
Cinnamon Hotcake Mix
· 3 cups all-purpose flour
· 3 Tbsp. sugar
· 2 Tbsp. baking powder
· 4–1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
· 1–1/4 tsp. salt
In 1 quart jar, mix all ingredients; adding dried fruits (apples are good here) if necessary to fill small gaps in the jar and to add interest in appearance.
Label Directions:
In medium bowl, mix 3/4 c. milk, 1 egg, and 2 T. salad oil. With fork, blend in 1–1/3 c. pancake mix until moist, but still lumpy in texture. Cook on lightly greased griddle. Makes about 10 5" pancakes.
Viennese Coffee Balls Mix in a Jar
· 2 cups shortbread cookie crumbs or crushed packaged chocolate chip cookies 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
· 1 cup chopped toasted almonds
· 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
· 1 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder (or coffee, if you can’t find) 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Layer components inside a 1 quart jar, tapping gently to settle before adding the next layer. Add additional nuts to fill any gaps, if necessary.
Directions for label:
Put ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Add 4–5 Tbsp espresso, strong coffee, or water, using just enough to moisten. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls, rolling in powdered sugar. Place on a sheet of waxed paper and let stand ’til dry (about 1 hour). Before serving, roll again in powdered sugar if desired. Store in airtight container.
You can get creative with your jar gifts with cool labels, homemade labels, ribbons, accessories tied to a jar like a metal cookie cutter, cinnamon sticks or other ideas.
These homespun jar gifts are ones they will love receiving.
Which of these look the most appealing to you?
By Val Garner - all rights reserved
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Gifts in a Jar: Cocoas, Cappuccinos Coffees & Teas
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