Easy Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas

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:

1. Spoon hot cocoa mix into jar
2. In a resealable bag, crush peppermint candy {I used candy canes}
3. 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.
4. Cut off excess on the bag, place the end in the jar and add the top and ring, seal it tightly.
5. Melt almond bark, dip spoon and add sprinkles. Let dry for about 5 minutes. Then tie onto jar with twine
6. 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:

1. Place tea bag in jar
2. Cut a circle from fabric, add to the lid and seal
3. 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!

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