1. By Patsy Brautigam Reference Librarian Harris County Public Library-Lone Star College CyFair Branch Gifts In A Jar

2. Food Hearty Bean Soup Mix Layer into 1-pint jar: 1/4 cup dried garbanzo beans 1/4 cup dried navy beans (or black beans or lima beans) 1/4 cup dried red kidney beans (or pinto beans) 1/4 cup dried split peas 1 bay leaf Place into small sandwich bag and add to jar: 1 T. onion powder 2 T. pearl barley 1/4 tsp. celery seed 2 tsp. instant chicken bouillon granules 1/2 tsp. dried basil 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/8 tsp. seasoned salt http://craftbits.com/project/hearty-bean-soup-mix Instructions to attach to jar: Hearty Bean Soup Mix Combine contents of jar with 8 cups water in large saucepan. Add 1 pound link sausage. Cover and simmer 3-3 1/2 hours or until beans are tender, adding water when necessary. Variation: Add 16-oz. can tomatoes.

3. Food Cranberry Hootycreeks Cookies in a Jar Layer these ingredients in a one-quart jar: 1 1/8 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup uncooked oats 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed 3/4 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup white chocolate baking chips 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped Be sure ingredients are packed tightly to prevent mixing of layers, and seal jar. http://christmas.organizedhome.com/recipes/gifts-in-a-jar/cranberry-hootycreeks Instructions to attach to jar: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, beat together 1/2 C. softened butter, 1 egg and 1 tsp. vanilla until fluffy. Add contents of jar, and mix until well blended.

4. Food Carrabba’s Bread Dip Ingredients: 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 teaspoon ground black pepper1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried rosemary1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried parsley1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon minced garlic1 teaspoon kosher salt Grind all ingredients together in food processor. http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/77/Carrabbas-Herb-Oil-for-Dippin86209.shtml http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/77/Carrabbas-Herb-Oil-for-Dippin86209.shtml Instructions to attach to jar: Place a few teaspoons of mixture into 1/4 cup warm olive oil for a delicious bread dip!

5. Food Christmas Girlfriend Cookies in a Jar Layer ingredients in this order in a one-pint mason jar and cover with a lid: · 3/4 cup and 1 T. and 1 tsp. all-purpose flour · 1/4 tsp. baking soda · 1/4 cup white sugar · 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips · 1/2 cup M&Ms · 1/4 cup packed brown sugar http://www.nofussfabulous.com/?p=9435 For quart-size recipe, see Julia’s Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Julias-Best-Ever-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies-In-A-Jar/Detail.aspx Instructions to attach to jar: Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In separate bowl combine 6 T. butter, 1 egg, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture. Drop by tablespoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 375 ° oven for 6-10 minutes. Makes 6 to 8 cookies.

6. Food Instant Potato Soup Mix Recipe for soup mix: 2 C. instant mashed potatoes 1 ½ C. instant milk powder 2 T. instant chicken bouillon 1 tsp. onion powder 1 tsp. dried parsley ¼ tsp. pepper ¼ tsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. seasoning salt Combine all ingredients in a bowl; transfer to gift jars. Makes 6 servings. http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/potato-soup.shtml Instructions to attach to jar: To serve, place ½ cup mix in soup bowl and add 1 cup boiling water. Stir until smooth.

7. Food Cake in a Mug Ingredients for cake batter: · 1 cake mix (any flavor) · 1 pkg. instant pudding (any flavor combination to go with your cake mix) · 1/4 cup pecans, walnuts, dried cranberries, craisins, etc. Mix together all ingredients. Divide into 4 portions and place into sandwich bag. Label as “batter mix.” Ingredients for topping: · 2 cups flour 1 cup uncooked oats · 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon Combine ingredients. Divide into 4 portions and place into 2nd sandwich bag. Label as “topping mix.” Instructions to attach to jar: Place contents of “batter mix” bag into small mixing bowl. Add 2 T. vegetable oil and 5 T. water, Mix well and place into greased and floured mug. Place contents of “topping mix” into separate bowl. Cut in 2 T. butter. Place topping over batter. Bake for 45 minutes in preheated 350 degree oven.

8. Beverage Instant Spiced Tea Mix Mix together: 1 cup instant tea (sweetened with sugar and flavored with lemon) 1 cup Tang (or similar orange-flavored instant breakfast drink) 1 tsp. cloves 1 tsp. cinnamon Makes 2 cups spiced tea mix. Instructions to attach to jar: Place 1 or 2 heaping teaspoons in a cup. Add boiling water and enjoy!

9. Bath Candy Cane Bath Salts in a Jar Ingredients: · 8 cups Epsom Salts · 3 cups sea salt or kosher salt · 1/4 tsp. glycerin · 6 drops peppermint essential oil (or adjust to preference) · 6 drops red food color (or adjust to preference) Place Epsom Salts, sea salt, glycerin, and essential oil into large mixing bowl and stir well. Place half this mixture into a separate bowl. To first bowl add food color, and stir until completely blended. Color should be even. Layer mixtures into jars with lids, alternating white and colored mixtures. http://christmas.organizedhome.com/recipes/gifts-in-a-jar/candy-cane-bath-salts Instructions to attach to jar: Candy Cane Bath Salts Place 2-3 tablespoons in your tub for a refreshing bath! Add 1/2 tsp. baking soda for extra smooth skin!

10. Bath White Cane Glimmer Sugar Scrub 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup vegetable oil Oil from 1 or 2 vitamin E capsules Few drops of essential oil (orange is nice) Glass container with lid Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Transfer mixture into container with lid. http://www.dominosugar.com/content/203/white-cane-glimmer-sugar-scrub.aspx Instructions to attach to jar: Contents will settle, so mix before using. Scoop a teaspoon or two on your hands and gently massage in circular motion. Leave on skin for 3-4 minutes – scrub will tighten on your skin. Rinse thoroughly and enjoy your soft skin!

11. Home Lighted Potpourri Holiday Jars What you will need: · Large, clean glass jar · String of 20 to 30 mini lights · Scented potpourri · Doily or open-weave fabric circle to cover jar lid · Rubber band · Ribbon or raffia · Seasonal decorations, tacky glue or hot glue Directions for assembly: 1. Add a layer of potpourri to cover bottom of jar 2. Turn on the lights and begin feeding them into the jar, adding potpourri as you go, so that the lights are spaced equally and supported by the potpourri that you are packing around them. Do not pack the jar too tightly. 3. Allow the end of the light string to come out through the top and tuck it to the back of the jar. 4. Cover mouth of jar with doily and strong elastic band. 5. Cover elastic band with decorations such as ribbon, raffia, etc. 6. As scent fades, replenish with a fragrance or essential oil that complements the original scent. Adapted from http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/litjars.shtml

12. Labels Hearty BeanSoup Mix Combine contents of jar with 8 cups water in large saucepan. Add 1 pound link sausage. Cover and simmer 3-3 1/2 hours or until beans are tender, adding water when necessary. Variation: Add one 16-oz. can tomatoes. CandyCane Bath Salts Use 2-3 tablespoons for a refreshing bath

13. Labels Cranberry Hootycreeks Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, beat together 1/2 C. softened butter, 1 egg and 1 tsp. vanilla until fluffy. Add contents of jar, and mix until well blended. Drop rounded tablespoons onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges start to brown. Makes 18-24 cookies. Carrabba’s Bread Dip Place a few teaspoons of mixture into 1/4 cup warm olive oil for a delicious bread dip!