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Easy Homemade Gifts in a Jar

One of the easiest and most meaningful gifts to give any holiday season is gifts in a jar. Mason jar gifts include everything from homemade jams and jellies to spice mixes and everything in between. We’ve got ideas galore for your ease and gift giving needs.

A jar of homemade crackers with text overlay reading: homemade gifts in a jar.

Easy Homemade Mason Jar Gift Ideas

Give jars of the jams and jellies you’ve canned. Naturally this is easy and likely already in the pantry.

Combine several jars of jam with a loaf of homemade bread in a basket or box for a simple but lovely and always welcome Christmas gifts or even housewarming gifts.

Jars full of homegrown and dried herbs are an amazing way to share the garden with friends and family who like to cook.

Giving someone a mix in a jar is a kind way to give them a meal when time might be short.

Homemade balms, salves, and other body products are a great DIY gift for the folks in your life looking to live more simply and naturally.

Where to Get Jars

Regular old canning jars work great as vessels for your gifts in a jar recipes. However, there are many other frugal and lovely choices.

Hit thrift stores and look for interesting jars with tight fitting lids. Just be sure to give them a good washing before using.

Reuse old jars from things you’ve purchased. Again, clean them out well, remove old labels, and perhaps cover up the lids with some cloth or paper to hide branding.

How to Decorate

Keep it simple by combining the jar gifts in a basket with like things. Give bath bombs with a nice washcloth as an example.

Make nice labels either on the computer or hand drawn.

Use ribbon or natural twine to wrap around the jars.

Gifts in a Jar Recipes

Jams, Jellies and Other Sweets

Perhaps the original gifts in a jar, homemade jams and jellies are ideal for gift giving and sharing the garden with loved ones.

Drinks

Jars are ideal containers for tea blends and drink mixes.

Herb & Spice Mixes

Give the foodies in your life homemade, natural spice mixes. These can be a great way to share homegrown dried herbs, as well.

Snacks

Jars make the perfect vessels for sharing homemade snacks like candies and flavored nuts.

Food / Baking Mixes

Give someone the gift of a super easy, homemade meal with these mixes.

Bath & Body Products

Help loved ones take care of themselves and their bodies by giving them luxurious and natural bath and body products.

Gifts for the Home

Fill jars with useful gifts, loved ones can use for the their homes.

A slightly open jar containing homemade crackers with hearts attached to it sits on a counter. Text overlay reads: Gifts in a Jar - ideas for food & body.

Thanks for sharing!

Carol L

Friday 3rd of November 2017

For the "other" breads, do you have specific recipes or can you just use your own recipes?

Shelle Wells

Monday 6th of November 2017

Hi Carol, you can use your own recipes in the jar. I would test it out ahead of time so you can adjust for cooking time. Be sure that you do not fill the jar with batter more than halfway until you've done a test and know how much your own recipe expands.

Michelle

Wednesday 1st of November 2017

I like your ideas and recipes but I can’t save them to Pinterest, says the picture is to small. Can you change that?

Shelle Wells

Thursday 2nd of November 2017

See if it works now, Michelle