I was just reminiscing about how much I enjoy making handmade Christmas gifts and that one of my favorites (especially to receive, prepare and eat) are the handmade Christmas gift jars that are filled with cookie, soup, lentil and rice recipes.

These have to be the easiest handmade Christmas gifts to make. All that you have to do is find a favorite recipe that contains at least 3 dry, relatively non-perishable ingredients and you have the perfect place to begin. There are also number of places to visit online that offer these handmade Christmas gift jar recipes.  By using the relatively non-perishable ingredients means they will last relatively forever - especially if you can seal the jars properly. There are also number of places to visit online that offer these handmade Christmas gift jar recipes. Here is a list of some of my favorites that I use to give out and really enjoy getting as handmade Christmas gifts:

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Oatmeal cookies
• Chicken Noodle soup
• Black beans and rice.

After you have picked the recipe and collected all of your dry ingredients you will need a glass jar. Mason jars are the cheapest and the easiest to use and can be found at just about any garage sale, local market and even ordered online. If you don’t have mason jars, any jars or glass will do.

Next, take a look at your dry ingredients. We will be using the ingredients to create layers in your jar so as you add each ingredient as a layer, plan ahead so the flour and sugar don’t end up layered together (they are both white). Finding ingredients that have color make the gift even more exciting and using the different colors to separate your layers always makes the finished handmade Christmas gift really pop.

Then you need a piece of fabric cut into a circle that will extend 1.5 – 2 inches beyond the circumference of the top of your jar or glass. We will use this to extend over the top edges of the jar or glass to make a decorative ruffle. It is helpful but not entirely necessary to use a hot glue gun to attach a string or a strip of ribbon to tie around the fabric securing it to the top of the jar or glass. If you are using mason jars and you have the lids and seals, you can place the lid on first, then the fabric and then the seal crimping the fabric between the lid and seal as you secure the seal.

The final step is to add the written directions for the recipe. You can make it appear like name tag for a gift. Keep the directions simple and to the point. Be sure to include the amount of ingredients that are still needed to add to the recipe, when to add the dry ingredients and baking temperatures and times.

What a fun and relaxing way to get your handmade Christmas gifts started and hopefully your friends are doing the same thing so you can enjoy making and eating the gifts that you get. But just in case, make an extra one and place it aside for yourself or as a last minute gift for someone that might have been overlooked.

Do you have a favorite handmade Christmas gift jar recipe that you would like to share? Send us the details and an image and we can feature you and your gift on our site.