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The holidays are right around the corner and will be here before we know it. Do you enjoy making gifts for friends and family? I do, but often with everything else going on, my time is limited.
I’m super excited to be starting a new series today with Tiffany from Eat at Home, Prep & Planning: Steps to a Peaceful Holiday. Now through the first week of December we will be sharing with you party food, make-ahead meals for the freezer, baking tips and a special Virtual Baking Day on Facebook on Wednesday, November 16th. You can bake along in your own kitchen, share recipes, tips and secrets with other bakers. Sounds fun!!
Tiffany and I will wrap it all up with a Cookie Swap that you are invited to also! We will be putting the whole series in a nice little eBook for you to print out and have on hand throughout the holidays.
Since it’s never too early to start thinking about gift giving, we are kicking off the series with Easy Holiday Gift Giving, specifically…Gifts in a Jar.
When I spotted these adorable printables on Positively Splendid last week, I knew right away what I wanted to share for a Gift Giving idea. Kiki Creates designed the gift tag printables…aren’t they just the cutest? Kiki also has an Etsy Shop full of fun and colorful printables. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make these special jars for friends, neighbors, teachers, hair dresser and more, the ideas are endless.
Cocoa Jar Supplies:
- Glass mason jar {available in the housewares department at Walmart}
- Hot Cocoa Mix {recipe below}
- Mini Marshmallows
- Crushed peppermint candy
- Chocolate dipped spoon {Chocolate Almond Bark and sprinkles}
- Gift tags, ribbon, twine
Instructions:
- Spoon hot cocoa mix into jar
- In a resealable bag, crush peppermint candy {I used candy canes}
- In a cellophane treat bag, place a handful of mini marshmallows and add the crushed peppermint candy. Shake to coat. If the peppermint won’t stick to the marshmallows, VERY lightly dampen the marshmallows with a little water, then add the candy and shake.
- Cut off excess on the bag, place the end in the jar and add the top and ring, seal it tightly.
- Melt almond bark, dip spoon and add sprinkles. Let dry for about 5 minutes. Then tie onto jar with twine
- Add the ribbon and gift tag.
The Tea Jar is absolutely no fuss, but perfect for your favorite tea drinker.
Tea Jar Supplies:
- Glass mason jar {available in the housewares department at Walmart}
- Tea bags
- Fabric
- Gift tags, ribbon, twine
Instructions:
- Place tea bag in jar
- Cut a circle from fabric, add to the lid and seal
- Add ribbon, and tags
I was inspired by the way Kiki added the wire for the steam, so I added some to my tea cup. Simply bend a piece of wire and then tape it to the back of the cup, then tie on the snowflakes and hearts with twine.
Tiffany shared some brilliant ideas for Snack Mixes in a Jar. LOVE this Hollywood Mix with a printable tag, pair it with a DVD or maybe some movie tickets and you have a great gift for any age!
Enjoy a mug of cocoa by the fire
Ingredients
- 4 C instant dry milk powder
- 1 1/2 C to 2 sugar
- 1 C powdered non dairy creamer
- 2/3 C cocoa, unsweetened
- 1 small box instant instant chocolate or vanilla pudding (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together until well combined
- Store in an airtight container
- Add 1/3 Mix to a mug and fill with boiling water
A very special Thank You to Kiki for the adorable gift tags!
Mark your calendars!! November 12th is the Virtual Freezer Cooking Party with Tiffany and November 16th. is the Virtual Baking Party!
And join us each week as we share our tips to a Peaceful Holiday!!
Linking to…Show & Tell Friday, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Saturday Night Special, Made by You Monday, Transformation Thursday, Frugal Friday, Sundae Scoop
Oh, very cool, I love the tags on your jars. Each year I give away very large trays of candy and cookies to all my neighbors, I’m dying to try new things, this will be a great addition. THanks for sharing!!!
Cindy recently posted..Recipe Friday: Apple Dip
I love those ideas! You are the best at making things look cute. I especially like the tea jar idea because it’s so easy and I love tea.
Tiffany recently posted..Ingredient Spotlight: Cranberries
I love the your holiday ideas. I too try and pick a theme and make homemade treats. One year, everyone got a sled, big or small, and all my homemade goodies were in there. Sometime, I include a recipe for a treat that is in their gift. I love to do the chocolate spoons and dress them up with clear cello bags, and holiday curly ribbon. Happy Holidays, Marie
Those are great ideas Marie…thanks for sharing!
~Liz
This is just perfect! Thank you so much for the ideas! Looking forward to more!
Kristin recently posted..Thanksgiving Mantel:{Candle Wraps}
Great ideas!! Can’t wait for more – Thanks!!!
My mother also loved your ideas…where did you get that nice red gingham print on the mason jar lid? Thanks, Marie B
The material is from Hobby Lobby, I just cut a round circle and placed it on the jar lid and added the ring.
thank you,
Thank you so much for sharing these great ideas! Never too early to start planning. And I love the “mason jar” tags! They would even be great for the canned relishes and jellies I am giving for gifts this year!
Blessings
Linda
Linda recently posted..My "new" antique cylinder desk
What a great gift idea! I hope you will link up with me here:
http://www.thegingerbreadblog.com/2011/11/handmade-holiday-link-up-2011.html
I love this post and your ideas! So fun and festive!
I’d love for you to come link up this post in my Holiday Tips, Crafts & Recipes link up! Here it is: http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/11/crock-pot-pizza-soup.html
Thanks! Susie
SusieQTpies recently posted..Crock Pot Pizza Soup
Wow, you have shared some great stuff here! Thank you so much for providing the details, links and recipe. I am so excited about getting ready for Christmas!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Natasha @ Keeping The Christmas Spirit Alive, 365 recently posted..A Pinteresting & Tasty Tuesday!
Love these tags, such a cute idea. Thanks for sharing, but I can’t seem to get them to download. Tried several times, would love to have them for Christmas gifts.
Did you click over to Positively Splendid? Here is the link again, http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2011/10/recipes-in-jar-with-free-printables.html?, then scroll toward the bottom of the post, there is a link to download them.
Hope that helps!
These are adorable! So many great ideas! Would you share here?
http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-home-for-holidays-party.html
Amy@One Artsy Mama recently posted..Turkeys and Thanks-giving
So glad you liked this project! Isn’t Kiki talented? Have a great weekend, Liz!
I’m getting more into the mode of giving good food–everyone will use/like that.
I saw a great post with a few ideas I really loved. Just thought I’d share:
http://aemayer.com/blog/2011/11/easyholidaygifts/
I will have to try that!
Rona recently posted..Holiday Gifts: Christmas Coasters
super cute, I got one like this last year and loved it !
http://itsacowgirlthing.blogspot.com
Tiffany recently posted..Pumpkin Cream
Oh I love these ideas – how perfect and pretty too!
I’d love it if you could share this over on my Simply Christmas Inspiration Party at http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/2011/11/inspiration-friday.html