Christmas Gifts in a Jar: 15 Cheap Homemade Gifts That Look Boutique Bought

Christmas gifts in a jar are proof that the sweetest presents do not have to cost much. There is something about a glass jar with a ribbon on top that makes people smile before they even open it. You can see every layer, every candy and every bit of care you put inside. A plain jar costs about a dollar, and most of what goes in it is already in your kitchen. These 15 ideas work for teachers, neighbors, coworkers, grandparents and that friend who has everything. Line them up on your counter, grab some twine and a stack of tags, and you can finish a whole gift list in one cozy afternoon..

Christmas Gifts in a Jar Everyone Will Love

Before you start, it helps to see how pretty a whole row of jar gifts can look together. Use the same lid topper on every jar, like a circle of plaid fabric and a little twine, and even very different fillings look like a matching set. Plain mason jars, recycled pasta sauce jars and thrift store jars all work. Wash them well, peel off old labels with warm soapy water, and dry them completely before filling..

You will need: Clean glass jars with lids, fabric circles cut 2 inches wider than the lid, twine or ribbon, blank kraft tags.

How to make it: 1. Wash and fully dry each jar and lid. 2. Fill the jar to the very top so nothing shifts on the way. 3. Lay a fabric circle over the lid, tie it with twine and add a tag.

Christmas Gifts in a Jar: Layered Hot Cocoa

This is the classic for a reason, and jar gift videos on Facebook are pulling tens of thousands of reactions this season. Cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips, crushed peppermint and mini marshmallows go in neat layers, and the stripes look like a store gift. Pack each layer down with a spoon so the lines stay sharp. Add a candy cane on the side and a tag with simple directions. It is the gift that gets used on the first snowy night. Who on your list loves a warm mug?

You will need: A 1 quart jar, 1 cup cocoa powder, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup crushed peppermint, mini marshmallows, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Spoon in the cocoa powder first and tap the jar to level it. 2. Add the sugar, chocolate chips and peppermint in layers, pressing each one flat. 3. Fill the top with marshmallows and tie a tag that says 3 spoonfuls per mug of hot milk.

Snowman Cocoa Jar Stack

Kids go wild for this one. Three small jars of cocoa and marshmallows stack up to make a snowman, and a scrap of knit fabric becomes his scarf. Draw the face on the top jar with a paint pen and glue on a tiny felt hat. It looks adorable on a teacher’s desk and every jar is something to enjoy. Christmas gifts in a jar can be this fun and this cheap. Will yours have a red scarf or a green one?

You will need: 3 small jars with lids (the same width), cocoa mix, mini marshmallows, a black paint pen, orange felt, a knit scrap, a small felt hat, hot glue (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Fill the two bottom jars with cocoa and the top jar with marshmallows. 2. Draw eyes and a smile on the top jar and glue on a felt carrot nose. 3. With adult help, glue the jars together, tie the scarf at the neck and glue the hat on top.

Christmas Gifts in a Jar for Bakers: Cookie Mix

A cookie mix jar is a gift and a fun afternoon in one. You layer the dry ingredients, they add butter and an egg, and fresh cookies are in the oven in minutes. Red and green candies on top make it look festive. Tie a small wooden spoon to the lid so it feels complete. If you love mason jars as much as we do, try our mason jar Christmas crafts next. Who would you bake for this year?

You will need: A 1 quart jar, 1 3/4 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 cup oats, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup red and green candies.

How to make it: 1. Mix the flour and baking soda and spoon it in first. 2. Layer the sugars, oats, chocolate chips and candies, pressing each one down. 3. Add a card: mix with 1/2 cup soft butter, 1 egg and 1 tsp vanilla, bake at 350 F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Peppermint Sugar Scrub Jars

Sugar scrub looks fancy in a little jar, but it takes about five minutes to make. Swirl a pink batch with a plain white one and the jars look like peppermint candy. Tie a small wooden spoon to each lid so it is ready to use. These make sweet gifts for teachers, coworkers and anyone who loves a relaxing evening. Keep the recipe simple and label it for skin only, not for eating. Which color would you swirl?

You will need: Small jars, 2 cups white sugar, 1/2 cup coconut or almond oil, a few drops of red food coloring, a few drops of peppermint extract, small wooden spoons, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Mix the sugar, oil and peppermint in a bowl, then split it in half. 2. Stir a drop or two of red coloring into one half. 3. Spoon both colors into the jar in turns to make a swirl, then add the lid and spoon.

Christmas Gifts in a Jar for the Bath

Layered bath salts are pretty to look at and simple to put together. Use plain Epsom salt and a little coloring to make soft white, blue and lavender layers, then sprinkle a few dried lavender buds on top for a sweet scent. Cork lids and silver ribbon give these Christmas gifts in a jar a spa store look. They are a lovely little treat for a friend who needs some quiet time. Who could use a slow evening?

You will need: Glass jars with cork lids, Epsom salt, food coloring, dried lavender buds, a few drops of lavender oil (optional), silver ribbon, small wooden scoops.

How to make it: 1. Split the salt into three bowls and tint two of them blue and purple. 2. Spoon in the layers one at a time, tapping the jar to level each one. 3. Top with lavender buds, press in the cork and tie on a scoop.

Santa Painted Jar With LED Lights

Turn a big empty jar into a glowing Santa suit. Paint the outside red, add a wide black belt with a gold buckle, and glue fluffy white trim around the top. Fill it with a strand of battery LED fairy lights and it glows on a shelf all season with no flame at all. This one is a gift and decor at the same time. Kids can help with the painting. Where would you set yours?

You will need: A large clean jar, red and black acrylic paint, gold paint or a square of gold paper, white faux fur trim, battery LED fairy lights, hot glue (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Paint the jar red and let it dry, then add a second coat. 2. Paint a wide black belt around the middle with a gold buckle. 3. With adult help, glue the fur trim around the top, then fill the jar with the LED lights.

Pancake Mix Jar for Christmas Morning

Christmas morning should be slow and sweet, and a jar of homemade pancake mix makes it easy. Everything dry is already measured, so all they add is milk, an egg and a little oil. Tuck a small bag of chocolate chips on top for a treat. Pair it with a little bottle of syrup or a whisk and it feels like a full breakfast gift. Wouldn’t this make the morning after Christmas easier, too?

You will need: A 1 quart jar, 2 cups flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, a small bag of chocolate chips, fabric topper, a recipe card.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the dry ingredients together in a bowl and pour them into the jar. 2. Set the bag of chocolate chips on top and close the lid. 3. Add a card: whisk the mix with 2 cups milk, 2 eggs and 1/4 cup oil, then cook on a hot griddle.

Cinnamon Spiced Nuts Jar

Spiced nuts fill the house with the smell of cinnamon while they bake, and they disappear fast at parties. Toss pecans and almonds with a little egg white, sugar and cinnamon, bake until crisp, and pack them in jars with velvet ribbon. They look expensive, yet a batch costs less than one fancy tin from the store. These Christmas gifts in a jar are perfect for hosts and neighbors. Who on your street would love a jar?

You will need: 4 cups pecans and almonds, 1 egg white, 1 tbsp water, 1 cup sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, a pinch of salt, jars, velvet ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Beat the egg white and water until frothy, then toss in the nuts. 2. Stir in the sugar, cinnamon and salt until coated. 3. Bake on a lined tray at 250 F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, then cool and pack.

Popcorn Movie Night Jar

A jar of popcorn kernels turns into a whole movie night gift. Fill a big jar with kernels, then tie on a little bag of seasoning, a few candy bars and a note that says it is movie night on you. Of all the Christmas gifts in a jar here, families with kids love this one most, and it costs only a few dollars. You can also fill the jar with popped popcorn for a quick snack gift. What movie would you pick for their first night?

You will need: A large jar, popcorn kernels, a small bag of popcorn salt or seasoning, a few candy bars, ribbon, a card.

How to make it: 1. Fill the jar with popcorn kernels and close the lid. 2. Tie the seasoning bag and candy bars to the jar with ribbon. 3. Add a card with popping steps and a fun movie night note.

Candy Jar for the Sweet Tooth

Sometimes the simplest gift wins. A big jar packed with lollipops, candy canes and wrapped candies looks like a candy shop on a table. Buy candy in bulk after a sale and you can fill several jars for the price of one gift. Choose one or two colors, like red and white, so it looks planned. Kids, grandparents and office friends all love these. Christmas gifts in a jar do not get easier than this. Who has the biggest sweet tooth you know?

You will need: A large jar, lollipops, wrapped candies, mini candy canes, ribbon, a tag.

How to make it: 1. Stand the lollipops in the jar first with the sticks down. 2. Pour wrapped candies around them to fill the gaps. 3. Tie a ribbon around the neck and add a tag.

Gingerbread Cookie Christmas Gifts in a Jar

If you love to bake, a tall jar of gingerbread men is a gift that feels like home. Bake small cookies, add a simple line of white icing, and stack them in a jar with a red bow. A cinnamon stick in the knot adds a lovely smell. The cookies stay fresh for about a week with the lid on tight. This is one of the most loved Christmas gifts in a jar because it is ready to eat. Who would get your first batch?

You will need: A tall jar with a tight lid, your favorite gingerbread cookie dough, a small cookie cutter, white icing, red ribbon, a cinnamon stick.

How to make it: 1. Roll out the dough, cut small gingerbread men and bake them. 2. Pipe simple white icing lines and let them dry fully. 3. Stack the cookies in the jar and tie a red bow with a cinnamon stick.

Homemade Jam With Kraft Paper Toppers

Homemade jam or marmalade is a treasured gift, and the brown paper lid topper makes it look like it came from a country market. Cut squares of kraft paper or a brown paper bag, crumple them softly and tie them on with red and white baker’s twine. If you do not make jam, buy a large jar and split it into small ones. Add a little wooden spreader for a sweet touch. Which flavor would you give?

You will need: Small jars of jam or marmalade, squares of kraft paper or a brown paper bag, red and white baker’s twine, a tag.

How to make it: 1. Cut a square of kraft paper about 3 inches wider than the lid. 2. Crumple it softly, then flatten it over the lid. 3. Wrap twine around the neck several times and tie a bow.

Glowing Fairy Light Jar

Not all Christmas gifts in a jar are food. A jar full of tiny lights is one of the easiest gifts to make, and it looks magical on a nightstand or bookshelf. Use battery LED fairy lights with a small switch, tuck the battery pack inside, and let the wire curl around the glass. Red lights feel festive, and warm white works all year. It makes a cozy, safe night light with no flame. Who could use a little extra glow this winter?

You will need: A clean jar with a lid, a strand of battery LED fairy lights (red or warm white), a ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Turn on the lights and drop the battery pack into the jar first. 2. Feed the wire in, letting it loop loosely around the sides. 3. Close the lid and tie a ribbon around the neck.

Tea Lover’s Jar

For the friend who always has a mug in hand, fill a jar with a mix of favorite tea bags, a few honey sticks and a small bag of cookies. Stand the tea bags up so the colorful tags peek out. It looks thoughtful and it lets them try new flavors all winter. You can even add a pretty mug and tie the jar to it with ribbon. Who on your list would love a cozy tea break?

You will need: A wide jar, 15 to 20 assorted tea bags, honey sticks, a small bag of cookies, ribbon, a tag.

How to make it: 1. Stand the tea bags upright around the inside edge of the jar. 2. Tuck honey sticks in the middle and set the cookie bag on top. 3. Close the lid, tie on a ribbon and add a tag.