i am goingto make some gifts using baby food jars filling with treats then using fabric tie witha cute ribbon instead of a lid….I thought hot chocolate mix with small marshmallows will be cute but what other ideas can I use??? It has to be something single serving since the size is quite small. I also am making small tags with construction paper and a whole punch to label the ingredients and tie onto the ribbons:) Thanks
I like the idea of bath salts….keep the ideas rolling, I have 8 0z jars too I forgot about those
I would suggest a nice home made jam or marmalade would be nice.
Use the screw top lid to prevent leakage and then use the fabric and ribbon for decoration.
I was sent a small jar of dried soup mix done like that, and it looked so pretty that I have used the soup mix and kept the jar and cover, and use it as an ornament.
November 30th, 2009 at 4:47 am
Make homemade vanilla extract and funnel some into each jar
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November 30th, 2009 at 5:33 am
you can divide these up
Spiced Mocha Mix
1 cup coffee cream (powdered)
1 cup cocoa mix
2/3 cup instant coffee
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Mix well.
Use 2-3 Tablespoons per cup of 6-8 ounces of water.
Submitted by: Gail Holbrook as received from her daughter-in-law.
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~Hot Chocolate Mix~
One is never too old to enjoy hot chocolate, and this is a special way to share it with a friend.
3 cups powdered milk
½ cup cocoa
¾ cup sugar
Dash of salt
Sift the ingredients into a large bowl. Pack the mix into an airtight container. Attach this to the Jar.
Hot Chocolate
Serves 1
4 tablespoons Hot Chocolate Mix
8 ounces boiling water
Marshmallows or whipped cream
Place the Hot Chocolate Mix into a mug. Pour in the boiling water. Stir until the Chocolate mix is dissolved. Garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream.
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~Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix~
This spicy cider tastes delicious after winter sports, so here’s just the gift for a hostess on a ski vacation (in our dreams!).
½ cup dried cranberries
12 cinnamon sticks
½ tsp. crushed whole cloves
2 Tbsp. whole allspice
In a small bowl, stir the cranberries and spices together. Store in an airtight container. Attach this to the Jar.
Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
Serves 12 to 14
2 quarts apple cider
1 quart water
1 package Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix
2 oranges, sliced
In a large saucepan combine the cider, water, and Spiced Cranberry Cider Mix. Heat through but do not boil. Add most of the orange slices. Serve warm, garnished with the remaining orange slices.
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~White Hot Chocolate Mix~
A great idea for a major chocoholic.
1 tsp. vanilla powder
1 tsp. dried orange peel
½ cup grated white chocolate or white chocolate chips
Combine and blend the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container. Attach this to the Jar.
White Hot Chocolate
Serves 2
1 and ½ cups milk
¼ 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.
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~Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix~
1/2 cup light brown sugar
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 ½ tsp. powdered vanilla
¼ cup cocoa
2 ½ cups powdered milk
Combine and blend ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container. Attach this to the Jar.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Serves 6
3 cups water
Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix (to taste)
Cinnamon sticks for garnish
Heat the water to boiling and add the Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix. Stir with a whisk until the mixture is smooth. Garnish with cinnamon sticks. For a frothier hot chocolate, mix in a blender.
Ingredients:
4 Tablespoons cake flour
4 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons cocoa
1 Egg
3 Tablespoons milk
3 Tablespoons oil
1 Mug
Instructions:
Mix flour, sugar and cocoa:
Spoon in 1 egg
Pour in milk and oil, and mix well
Put in microwave for 3 minutes on maximum power (1000watt)
Wait until it stops rising and sets in the mug
Tip contents out of mug onto saucer and enjoy!
References :
http://www.pastorswife.net/jars11.htm
http://www.dizzy-dee.com/recipe/chocolate-cake-in-5-minutes
November 30th, 2009 at 6:02 am
Herbal tea packets with a shortbread cookie or a piece of dark chocolate, both good for de-stressing. Something for the bath, like bath beads or bath salts.
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November 30th, 2009 at 6:11 am
I would suggest a nice home made jam or marmalade would be nice.
Use the screw top lid to prevent leakage and then use the fabric and ribbon for decoration.
I was sent a small jar of dried soup mix done like that, and it looked so pretty that I have used the soup mix and kept the jar and cover, and use it as an ornament.
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November 30th, 2009 at 6:18 am
My mom did that but with big jars they were 6 inches tall she put the hot chocolate mix in it then some mini marshmellows on top then crushed candy canes, very easy. You could put little candies at the bottom and have layers of different candies.
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November 30th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Potpourri
Mints, hard candies, lifesavers
a small candle
honey
dried fruit pieces
oils
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November 30th, 2009 at 7:20 am
A neighbor once gave me brownie mix. How about something different, like homemade taco seasoning or Creole seasoning? I know I’d appreciate that more than chocolate.
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November 30th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Lattes:
Ingredients
1/2 C. instant coffee
1/3 C. sugar
1 C. instant non-fat dry milk powder
1/2 C. powdered coffee creamer
2 tsp.vanilla
Directions
Measure all of the ingredients (even the vanilla) into a blender container.
Put the lid on
Process the mixture for about a minute, or until it is all powdery smooth, and the texture is even
Store in a container with a good lid
Makes 1- 2/3 cups of mix
To Prepare:
Combine 3/4 cup of boiling water and 2 to 3 tablespoons of the mix
Stir to dissolve and serve.
or
http://www.recipe-recipes.net/beverages/beverage-mix-recipes.htm
or
http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmas/gifts/index.htm
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November 30th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Since you are using baby food jars that kind of limits what you can put in there. Some things you may want to try are dip mixes, such as prepackaged guacamole or maybe a mix with lots of spices, rice and beans, which looks very pretty layered in a jar. Maybe you could put candy or trailmix. There are even single serving brownie mixes but then you would have to have them add the wet ingredients. Different colors of jello would even work and you could use them like sand art.
For the non food approach you could use sand and tealight candles. You could also get a nice smelling lotion and put that in there. There is so much you can do with the jars.
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November 30th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Jolly Cookie Jar
This one-of-a-kind, do-it-yourself layered glass cookie jar comes with all the necessary dry ingredients already measured out! It is a "just add butter, eggs and vanilla" kind of gift, which will delight grown-ups and kids alike. Any favorite cookie recipe will do; however, we chose a recipe with walnuts, dried cherries and chocolate chips for a festive look and delicious taste!
Ingredients:
1-quart wide-mouthed jar (with a lid) in glass or clear plastic
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dried tart cherries
1/2 cup rolled oats (not instant)
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3-by-3-inch piece white card stock
Hole punch
16 to 18 inches narrow ribbon or kitchen string
Directions:
Add each ingredient into the jar in the order listed. After each addition, use a large spoon or a small fist to level and pack down each layer. Attach the lid.
On the white card stock, make a gift tag that includes the following instructions: "For scrumptious holiday cookies in a flash, preheat the oven to 375°F. Beat together 3 ounces (3/4 stick) softened unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 egg in a large bowl or mixer. Add the contents of the jar and stir or mix until well blended. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Makes 2 dozen cookies. Enjoy!"
Punch a hole in a corner of your gift tag, and thread your ribbon or kitchen string through. When the tag is centered in the middle of the ribbon, tie the ribbon around the jar’s neck, or secure it under the threads of the lid. Makes 1 jar.
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November 30th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Here’s some other interesting ideas.
http://www.talkingchild.com/craftsbabyfood.aspx
http://www.craftbits.com/project/baby-food-jar-chaat-masala-nuts
http://crafts.kaboose.com/jgardens.html
http://childfun.com/index.php/holidays/spring-holidays/mothers-day/409-potpourri-gifts-mothers-day-crafts-and-activities.html?start=1
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/giftsinajar/l/blhotcocoajar.htm
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgiftseas/giftseas.html
Forget the rack on this one. Just make a pretty jar and add your spices.
Put a spice label on each one and put your spices in the jars. Nail the lids in a row up underneath a cupboard and then screw the jars into the lids. You now have a hanging spice "rack". When you want to use a spice, just unscrew the jar, take out what you want, and screw the jar back up. Try to put the jars under a cupboard that isn’t hit by direct sunlight, as this is not good for the spices.
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