Gifts in jars

[AnyDream]

So with a week to go until Christmas, I've realised I could do myself a favour, and instead of stressing over $$$ for gifts for extended family, make full use of my empty jam jar collection to do a variety of gifts in jars.

So, after suggestions for tried-and-true recipes only (don't want to waste ingredients on dud batches) for anything like: Chutneys, relishes, jams (savory or sweet), even brownie or cake-in-a-jar type thing (maybe for the older kids?)

TIA

[Phteven]

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ns-135636.html

[Rouge]

Martha Stewart has a great Gallery of things to do in Jars. Ranging from food to craft to all sorts.

[AnyDream]

Thanks Onyx.

Rouge, Martha Stewart is scary. I'm not sure my abilities can take me to that dizzying domestic altitude! However I will check it out...

[mrsmac]

I made hot chocolate mix in jars for the preschool teachers and one of the boys in my class gave me Cranberry and Walnut cookie mix in a jar. There is a thread on here with recipes- sorry don't know how to put a link in.

[CharlieBrownGirl]

Check out Bakerella! It's awesome!
Search for the 'Cowgirl Cookies' which can be adapted for Christmas. There are even printable labels in PDF to add to the jars including instructions.

Also the Taste website have a similar idea, but Bakerella is the B.O.M.B!

[Nelle]

I was just thinking of putting some cherry rum balls in jars this year...or lollies. Some of the bright cheerful lollies like skittles would look cool in a jar with bow I reckon.
I think I've read a blog (either cakies or modobject at home) where they baked cupcakes in jars? I could have dreamed it...

[Trillian]

Aren't they called the sand art cookies or something? I have seen a few sites this year with them on there too and there was one for M&M cookies and they looked fantastic in the jar.

[CharlieBrownGirl]

Trillian, the Bakerella ones have M&Ms (pink ones).

I also remembered Kmart have gingerbread men ones for under $10. The jar is the shape of a gingerbread man.

[Kazbah]

Are you interested in alcoholic egg-nog?

[mrsmac]

I have a Bailey's recipe too if you want it.

[Beach Mama]

Taste has a recipe for choc chip biscuits with a print out card with the recipe on it!

[Lisa]

Kourabiedes (greek shortbread/greek crescent biscuits) are great jar gifts.

[Rouge]

I love Bakerella too! Although I miss all her non cake pop posts!

The Cowboy Cookies are great, and can be made with Xmas M&M's (green & red). You can also do it sans nuts. Just remember you'll need a 1 litre Jar to work.

You could also make Jar Candles, Do little soaps or bath bombs. Or even better make some bath salts or salt scrubs.

And for gardening friends you could make a little jar with packets of seeds and attach some gardening tool etc to the outside of the jar.

[Nelle]

Can you put glass in the freezer? I have no idea. But home made ice-cream or sorbet would be fun too..

[mrsmac]

Glass can be dodgy in the freezer Nelle, I wouldn't risk it.

[AnyDream]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. In the end I found a cranberry chutney recipe...most expensive component being the cranberries which are on special this week...am cooking it up now, it's a gorgeous colour, it has currants and cloves and ginger in too so a nice Christmassy theme. I am going to do some fancy labels and call it "Christmas in a jar", and trim it with circles of christmas fabric out of my stash.