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Delightful DIY Jars

Homemade gift ideas sure to impress the party host

The holiday season is here, bringing with it a full calendar of parties, gatherings, and festive celebrations. While a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers is always an appreciated thank-you gift, why not surprise your host with something more personal this year? These food- and drink-inspired layered jar creations are simple to make, fun to customize, and sure to be enjoyed long after the party ends. 

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar

You’ll Need:

  • 32-ounce sized jar with lid
  • 1 cup flour1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups instant quick-cooking oats
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or enough to fill the jar to the top)

Assembly Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Place a funnel in the jar and add the flour mixture to the bottom. Pack tightly. If flour clings to the sides, wipe clean with a dry paper towel
     

  2. Layer in the oats, pressing down firmly
     

  3. Add the white sugar. It may sift slightly into the oats, which is OK

  4. Firmly pack in the brown sugar, which helps stabilize the structure for the remaining ingredients
     

  5. Add the chocolate chips, letting them rest loosely on top
     

  6. Finish with the walnuts, filling the jar to the rim
     

  7. Wipe the jar rim clean and screw on the lid. Decorate with ribbon or fabric, and attach the baking recipe

*To make these nut-free, just add extra chocolate chips to fill jar to the top

Recipe to Attach 

You’ll need:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
     

  • 1 large egg
     

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
     

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper
     

  2. Cream butter, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl until fluffy
     

  3. Add jar contents and stir until combined
     

  4. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart on baking sheets
     

  5. Bake 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly browned but centers look slightly underbaked
     

  6. Cool on a wire rack 

Makes about 24 cookies

Italian Lentil Soup 

You’ll Need:

  • Quart sized jar with lid

  • 1/4 cup dried minced onion

  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

  • 1/3 cup beef granules

  • 1 cup dried split peas (divided)

  • 1 cup dried lentils (divided)

  • 1/2 cup pearl barley

  • 1/4 cup uncooked white rice

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1/2 cup small pasta such as ditalini

Assembly Instructions

  1. Layer ingredients in the jar in this order from bottom to top to prevent seasonings from sifting through:
     

Minced onion, Italian seasoning, beef granules, 1/2 cup split peas, rice, 1/2 cup lentils,
1/2 cup split peas, barley, 1/2 cup lentils
 

  1. Cut a small piece of card stock and place it on top of the layers before adding the pasta. This keeps the pasta separate so it can be set aside when cooking. 
     

  2. Add the pasta and bay leaves on top. 

  3. Seal the jar tightly, decorate as desired, and attach the cooking instructions below
     

Recipe to Attach

You’ll need:

  • 1 pound ground beef, turkey or Italian sausage

  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
     

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
     

  • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 12 cups water
     

  • Salt and pepper, to taste
     

Instructions:

  1. Remove pasta and bay leaves from jar; set aside
     

  2. In a large pot, brown ground meat and drain excess fat
     

  3. Add remainder of jar contents, diced tomatoes, garlic, tomato sauce, and water; stir well
     

  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 45 minutes 
     

  5. Add pasta and bay leaves; cook 10–15 minutes longer until pasta is tender
     

  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste 

Infused Cocktail Kit

You’ll Need:

  • 8 ounce jar with shaker lid (available on Amazon)

  • Freeze dried fruit assortment such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
  • Dehydrated citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes
  • Sugar cubes (we used a combination or brown and white European-style cubes)

Assembly Instructions

Layer together a few pieces of each fruit and 6–8 sugar cubes in jar and top tightly with shaker lid

Recipes to Attach

Infuse all recipes with alcohol for 3–5 days; the fruit in the jar can be reused for a second infusion but should be discarded after 10 days

Fruitilicious Sangria:

  1. Fill jar with red table wine and infuse in fridge 
  2. Serve as is, straight from jar or mix in 1 oz vodka and 1 oz fruit juice
  3. Pour over tall glass with ice. Garnish with fresh fruit

Fruity Rum Cocktail:

  1. Fill jar with white rum and infuse in fridge  
  2. Mix together 2 oz infused rum, 4 oz of your favorite fruit juice, and fresh lemon or lime juice
  3. Top with splash of tonic or club soda  

Cathy’s Cosmo:

  1. Fill jar with vodka and infuse in fridge 
  2. Pour 2 oz infused vodka in a shaker full of ice
  3. Add 2 oz cranberry juice, 1 oz Cointreau, and 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  4. Shake well and strain into martini glass, then garnish with lime slice

Mocktail Option

Use iced tea, lemonade, water, or juice in place of alcohol

Gift Tip: Package 2 or 3 jars together as a set so the recipient can try out multiple recipes—or make a few cocktails at once