A gift in a jar is a fun and affordable gift that can not only bring a smile to the face of the gifts receiver but to the giver as well.

Most gift jar recipes are best suited for a standard quart jar. Either a small or large mouth opening is fine. Though, I find that a large mouth works easier for getting the ingredients in. In addition to a quart jar and lid, you will need a large rubber band, piece of

material 8x8 square, and a ribbon to decorate.

After filling the jars, place the material on the lid and put the rubber band around it to secure it in place. Tie with decorative ribbon and tie the recipe card to the ribbon for the directions on how to bake the ingredients. If you have a printer, print out the tag onto a colorful piece of paper or onto adhesive paper. When putting in the ingredients, make sure to pack them down tightly. If you have loose ingredients like nuts, M&M, raisins, etc. make sure they are the next ingredient on top of packed brown sugar. If the next layer is to be white sugar or flour, the white sugar or flour will seep through the nuts, M&M, etc some what. Also when using cocoa, wipe inside of jar before adding another ingredient to keep jar looking nice. The following is one of my favorite gift Jar Recipes.

1001 Cookie Mix

Makes 10 cups.

Ingredients:

5 cups all-purpose flour

3 3/4 cups sugar

2 tablespoons double acting baking powder

2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 cups PLUS 2 tablespoons butter, softened

Method:

Spoon flour into measuring cup and level with spatula. Put in large bowl with at

least a 4-quart capacity. Measure sugar, baking powder and salt into flour. Stir

until mixture is thoroughly blended. Add butter and use pastry blender or clean

hands to work into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Store covered in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer. Do NOT press down.

Use mix at room temperature. Spoon lightly into measuring cup, level with spatula

.

Tips:

When using margarine, do not use diet, whipped or soft.

• Have all ingredients at room temperature.

• Do not sift flour -- spoon lightly into measuring cup and level off.

• Use standard measuring cups and spoons.

Have fun and give the filled jar to a friend!