Easy Mason Jar Gift Ideas

If you are looking for the perfect holiday gift, one where you don’t have to spend a lot of money or hours at the mall, these Mason jar gifts are the answer. Mason jars are inexpensive and plentiful (you can get them anywhere, including the supermarket), and give your homemade gifts that “wow” factor.

Each of these gift ideas are sure to impress —the jars provide a unique vessel for both food and non-food gift items.

Oatmeal Cookies

Everyone’s favorite cookie makes a beautifully layered presentation in a Mason jar. For each gift you’ll need:

1 clean, wide-mouth quart-size canning jar with lid (can be a flip-top jar)
Twine and instruction tag (below)

3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups Old Fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions to assemble gift:
1. Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together in a large bowl.
2. Using a 1 quart wide-mouth jar, layer in the ingredients in this order: White sugar, brown sugar, oats, flour mixture, chocolate chips and walnuts. Tamp each layer down tightly using the flat top of a meat tenderizer or other flat utensil as you layer.
3. Secure the lid and add add baking instructions tag (below) to the jar with twine. Add your own label and festive ribbons. No need to wrap.

Oatmeal Cookie Instructions (to write on tag):

Oatmeal Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened butter, with 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Add the entire contents of the jar, and mix by hand until combined. Drop dough by heaping spoonfuls onto an unprepared cookie sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven.

Layered Black Bean Soup

This soup makes a beautifully layered presentation in a Mason jar. For each gift you’ll need:

1 clean, wide-mouth quart canning jar with lid (can be a flip-top jar)
1 zip-top plastic bag
Twine and instruction tag (below)

3 cups dried black beans
1 cup dried Great Northern beans

For the spice packet:
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon celery seed
4 boullion cubes (chicken or vegetable), unwrapped
1 Bay leaf
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions to assemble gift:
1. Layer the beans by starting with 3/4 cup of black beans, then add a layer of Great Northern beans, alternating colors. End with a layer of black beans.

2. Assemble the spice packet by combining all the spices into the zip-top plastic bag. Remove all the air and seal, then fold into a square pouch to insert into the jar before sealing.

3. Secure the lid and attach the cooking instructions (below) to the jar with twine. Add your own label and festive ribbons. No need to wrap.

Soup Instructions (to write on tag):

Black Bean Soup
1. Place the beans in a medium stock pot, cover with hot water, and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Turn off heat and allow beans to sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse in cold water.
2. Return beans to the stock pot with contents of spice packet and 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours, uncovered. Test beans for doneness. Season to taste.
3. Ladle into bowls and top with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and lime wedges. Serve with tortilla chips or corn bread on the side. Makes 6 servings.

Pancake Mix

The perfect gift for the person who loves breakfast but doesn’t love to cook from scratch. Add the jar to a gift basket that includes a cast iron griddle, spatula, and real Maine-made maple syrup, or simply add a festive ribbon and give individually. For each gift you’ll need:

1 clean quart-sized canning jar with lid
Twine and instruction tag (below)

For the mix:
8 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
1 ½ tablespoons salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions to assemble jar gift:
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl (no layering needed, however you may include chocolate chips or sprinkles) and funnel into a clean, dry quart-sized canning jar.
2. Tie instructions (below) to jar with twine. These ingredients will keep in the jar for up to 3 months.

Pancake Instructions (to write on tag):

Buttermilk Pancakes
1. Whisk together 2 cups buttermilk or whole milk with 2 eggs and 2 cups dry pancake mix until smooth.
2. Ladle mixture onto hot, greased griddle or frying pan until bubbles form, then flip. Cook pancake until golden brown. Serve hot with butter and real maple syrup.

Lavender Body Scrub

Who doesn’t love a homemade scrub? They leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. Unfortunately, they can be very costly. But you can make your own beautifully scented scrub and gift it in a Mason jar for just pennies.

When making scrubs for gift giving, it’s best to make body scrubs to avoid causing problems to sensitive facial skin. Purchase ingredients from reliable sources.

For each gift you’ll need: 1 clean, small canning jar with lid (a flip-top jar works best for this gift)
Twine and instruction tag (below)

For the scrub:
1/2 cup coarse sea salt, or white or brown sugar
1/3 cup sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil
1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
10 drops of lavender essential oils (use more or less for your liking)

Directions to assemble this Mason jar gift:
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and spoon into jar.
2. Tie instructions (below) to jar with twine. These ingredients will keep in the jar for up to 3 months.

Variations: Don’t like lavender? Try other essential oils, and add dried juniper berries, rose buds, dried citrus peel dried herbs, vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks or bits of star anise. Be creative!

Scrub Instructions (to write on tag):

Lavender Body Scrub
Massage scrub into wet skin while in the shower or bath. Rinse for soft and smooth skin. Take care in the shower: the natural oils can make surfaces slippery!

Other Mason Jar Gift Ideas

Any of these delicious recipes require canning in Mason jars and can be decorated with decorative fabric and ribbons to give as gifts for the holidays.

Apple Scrap Jelly
Pumpkin Butter
Pickles

Treats On The Go

Additionally, any of these treats can be packed into a Mason jar and decorated with festive ribbons, bows, and tags to give as gifts (wide-mouth canning jars work best for these items):

Beef Barley Dog Biscuits (for your friends with furry loved ones)
Candy Cane Fudge
Spiced Pecans