DIY Mason Jar Gifts - How to Make Hot Chocolate in a Jar - Edible Gifts - Awesome Gift Idea

If you are stuck on what to give for a gift for Christmas or anytime actually, then check out this DIY mason jar gift idea.  HOT CHOCOLATE IN A JAR.  There is also a video so you can see how it is all put together.

First Step - Gather supplies, and your mason jars.  In the video she uses the mason jars with handles so they can simply use the jar.  You don't have to do it this way, but it does add a nice touch.  You can get them online for a good price when you get a dozen.

Lets Get Started!

What You Will Need for One Jar: This one is my Favorite but there are others!

PEPPERMINT HOT COCOA RECIPE:

1/2 cup of cocoa powder 1/4 cup of instant dry milk 1/3 cup of sugar 1/2 cup of mini (or regular) milk chocolate chips 1/2 cup of crushed candy canes 1/4-1/2 cup of marshmallows

Add the above in layers into your jars.
Decorate the lids to your taste and don't forget to add the instructions on how to make this hot chocolate using the jar of ingredients.

Instructions:

Set marshmallows aside for garnish.Shake contents of each jar thoroughly. Heat 1¼ cup milk in a small saucepan and then add in ¼ cup of the hot chocolate mix. Whisk until everything is well combined.

Check out the above video for even more hot chocolate recipes to add to your jars. They will get a personalized recipe just for them!

DIY Mason Jar Gifts are Super Fun to Make

 Hopefully this has got you inspired to try your hand at homemade gifts this year. They are personal and each jar can be decorated differently and different types of hot chocolate can be added.

You don't have to stop there.  If you recipient loves cookies too, you can put together most of the ingredients in layers in a clean mason jar ready for cookie baking.  They just have to add butter, eggs and vanilla.

Check out this post on  Mason Jar Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe 

DIY Mason Jar Gifts - How to Make Mason Jar Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe - Edible Gifts

Homemade gifts are a great way to show you care and to personalize a gift.  They are also easier on the budget and can be tailored to the loved one.

DIY mason jar gifts, not only give your loved one a nice gift but they end up with a great storage jar.  If you have a few of these hiding in your basement or left over from canning, then get them out, clean them and lets have some fun!

First Step - Wash your Mason Jars and Lids

If you have found some at garage sales, or your basement or granny's basement, they need a good cleaning. You can also purchase then online for an awesome price if you prefer to get them by the dozen!

Lets Get Started!

Gather your supplies:

1-3/4 cups - All purpose flour
3/4 cups - Light Brown Sugar
1/2 cup - regular granulated sugar
1-1/2 cups - semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 tsp - salt
3/4 tsp - baking soda

Method:

Take a large mixing bowl and add the flour, salt and baking soda.  Mix these dry ingredients together.

Add this mixture to the jar using a funnel.  This is your first layer.

Second Layer - Chocolate Chips
Third Layer - Brown Sugar
Fourth Layer - White Sugar

Now you have your layers.  Make sure and tamp them down so there is lots of room as she does in the video below:

Add this Recipe to the Jar:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Beat 3/4 cups of softened butter or margarine with one large egg, and 3/4 tsp of vanilla in a large bowl until blended.

Add contents of mason jar cookie mix

Mix well

Use a tablespoon to scoop and round dough onto ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 9 - 11 minutes until golden brown

Let cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes

Move to wire rack to cool completely

Makes 2 dozen cookies!






Decorate the Lid - To Personalize Your DIY Mason Jar Gift

 This can be as simple as adding fabric as she does in the video or you can add bling and attach a wooden spoon and don't forget to print out the recipe onto some pretty paper to attach as well.

How to Make Christmas Cards - With a Punch and Some Stickers - Easy Peek a Boo Cards

If you would like to get a bit more creative this year with Christmas cards, but don't have the time or energy to create one of a kind handmade creations, then check out this really simple and yet cool way to make Christmas cards this year!

Recycle Gift Tags and Cards

You can either purchase a package of new gift tags/stickers, or you can recycle the ones you kept from last year.  You can even recycle some of that card stock you may have laying around from scrap-booking instead of purchasing blank cards.  There are quick and simple ways to get into the creative spirit and make some Christmas cards this year to send.

Check out this Video:

Peek a Boo Christmas Cards

I hope this gives you some ideas.  The purpose of this video is to get you inspired to make your own cards.  You don't need to paint detailed scenes, you don't need be artistic,  you just need to gather some supplies and have some pure fun!

You can get the punch online if you don't have one. This one is 2.5 inches but you can get smaller. This would make quick work of the circles you need to cut out. Purchase Sticker or tags online or recycle last years! What ever will peak through your little window works!


These blank cards can be purchased online too. These ones are smaller and would look good with just one hole in the center. You can get larger card blanks too, or you can take some card stock and with a bone folder, you can create your own cards. Just make sure they will fit into a standard envelope.

How to Make Christmas Cards - Tight Budget

You can take the same idea of the video and create your very own cards.

Take a look at what you have.  You could use wrapping paper for the peak a boo holes for your design.  You can draw a circle on the cards with a bottle lid or any container, and then cut the circle out instead of a punch or change the shape to a square or anything you can simply cut out.

Save Christmas Cards That Were Sent To You

This may be a bit late for this year, but save any cards you receive that have cool patterns and designs on them, you can cut those out to be part of your peak a boo card.

How to Make Christmas Cards from Photos

Photo copy your photos in color or black and white and the proceed to place them behind the holes in the cards for peak a boo cards.

These cards can be used for any occasion, not just Christmas!  Get inspired and have some fun this year with your card giving!


These bone folders are one of the most used tools I have. They make it easier to make quick and sharp folds on cards.

How to Organize Christmas Ornaments - Ornament Organizers Will Keep Your Treasures Safe

I really don't know how it happens sometimes, but I store my box of Christmas decorations, tree and ornaments under the stairs safely and yet somehow when it comes time to set up Christmas, many are broken or missing.

Yes there are other things that get thrown under the stairs, but I realized that as long as they can touch each other, the risk of breakage increases, especially with vintage ornaments or even those handmade ones the kids did years ago.

Ornament Organizer

They don't have to be just for Christmas, many people have ornaments for other holidays including Easter, so keeping them safe is important.

You can make your own ornament organizer by using the liquor store boxes that separate out wine bottles, but I found that the cardboard can become musty down the road.  So I hopped online and found actual ornament organizer storage boxes and ideas that are worth the investment.



Stay Away from Cardboard to Store Your Ornament Treasures Cardboard just goes musty and loses its stiffness over time.

There are fabric boxes you can get too, but for me the good old plastic idea works the best. I love the idea of this product because it separates your treasures and will protect them from dampness and mildew especially if you store them in the basement during all the seasons.

You can get additional trays and they click together. 

So this year as I get the Christmas ornaments out, I am going to invest in one of these ornament organizers to keep my treasures safe as I have many glass ones I want to keep and pass down.  Christmas is a time of memories for many people and the tree becomes a personal trip down memory lane of past Christmases.

How to Make a Gorgeous Christmas Ornament

Click on the title to find out how to add to your memories with your very own homemade globe ornament, then store them properly and they will be ready for the next Christmas.

Start to Organize Your Ornaments as You Take them out this Year

This year as you get your Christmas decorations out, take the extra time to inspect and save the good ornaments and get rid of broken ones, and then get rid of those mismatched boxes you have that are falling apart and invest in a decent organizer to protect your treasures.

Figure out just how much space you need, and get the right amount of trays of this product to click together.  They will all be in one spot next year.

Storage for at Least 11 Months of the Year!

They are stored for at least 11 months of the year, so it is super important they be kept safe and easy to find rather than in numerous different boxes, that sometimes go missing.  I remember in our last move, some boxes were simply crushed and dropped.  I am slowly reorganizing just how I store my seasonal decor!  This way my important treasures are not trusted to that under the stairs shelf wrapped simply in an old cardboard box!

How to Make a Snow Globe Ornament - Easy Christmas Crafts - Timeless Treasures

Creating your own Christmas ornament crafts is a fun way to created treasures to be enjoyed for Christmas's to come and to create memories.  You could also put pictures inside of these for something different.

I came across this really cool video on just how to create these waterless snow globe ornaments with supplies you may already have at home or can be quickly ordered thru Amazon.  I have some links below the video for some supplies you may not have.  NOTE:  The Aleene's Tacky Glue is Awesome for the Glitter.

Waterless Snow Globe Ornament

What You Will Need:

Clear Plastic fillable ornament ball
Buffalo Snow Flakes
extra fine glitter in dark blue, black and white
tacky glue
miniature pieces such as Christmas trees or whatever you have around the house.
tiny shaped glitter
glue gun


As you can see you can get a lot of supplies on Amazon. These are a great craft for older kids as well as adults. You can make them as detailed as you want. The crafter uses glue for plastic models to hold the ornament together at the end, but I have found the glue gun does well at holding these together or the tacky glue as they dry clear. I prefer to use mine just as Christmas ornaments rather than shake them about.

Awesome Christmas Gifts for Under 5 Bucks

Especially if you do a few at the same time.  Set up your table with a plastic sheet and have some fun.  I have some old little wooden ornaments that don't hang anymore and thought they would look good in one of these snow globes.

Personalize for a Friend or as a Hostess Gift

You could create any kind of scene.  I love the night time look but could fill it with tiny trees which you can get online or something personable that your friend or loved one would love.  I plan on sending one to my daughter who has moved away and will be the first Christmas not home.

Use the Aleene's Tacky Glue for the Glitter

I am not just saying that to sell it, but it works much better than those glitter/glue combos you can get in the craft store.  You want a thick layer of the glue and be liberal with the glitter as you can see in the video.

Make sure you do it over a paper towel or something that you can pour the excess sprinkles back into the jar.  You can make a lot of these ornaments in one sitting!

Unique Cat Climbing Tower and Cat Wall Shelves - Trying to Keep Your Cat Indoors - Keep Them Busy

I am the proud owner of 3 adorable cats.  Ages 14 down to 1 years old.

As any cat owner will tell you, they each have their very own unique personality, but they do have one thing in common.. The need to burn off some steam!

Even my ancient cat likes to bat her toy mice around every once in a while.

Are you Trying to Keep Your Indoor/Outdoor Cats Inside this Winter?

The lifespan of a cat is chopped in half if not more if they are allowed to wander the streets no matter where you live, especially at night.  Wildlife, cars and other dangers are always lurking.  But just how do you keep your kitties inside?  Give them something to do!

Feline Lotus Cat Tower

Cats are curious creatures, and they love to check out new areas and shelves. By offering them cat trees and condos, you give them something to do besides ruining your furniture or whining at the door.

If you cats are older and simply want a neat place to nap away that cold night, then a simple yet unique cat tree furniture will fit in with your decor. For younger kitties, you will need to go with something more proactive that keeps them engaged such as the one below.

Armarkat Cat Tree Furniture Condo

This one has places to hide and play with the other cats. You can add toys and fun things for them to do.

If you are a One Cat Owner - Consider a Second Cat to Keep First Cat Busy!

I know this may sound like more work, but having a second kitty gives the first cat someone to play with and to keep them company if you are out all day and someone to snuggle with at night.

Having 2 cats was the best thing I ever did.  When we first had our one kitty, he constantly tore at the furniture and scratched everything in sight.  When it was suggested to us to get a second kitty we thought they were nuts, but I have to tell you this idea works!

Yes its double trouble, but an amazing thing happened.  Once I invested in a cat tree and a few toys, my furniture was saved and so were my arms!.  The second cat actually got my older cat moving and losing weight and super happy again and no longer pining at the door to go out.

Cat Tree Furniture Under 100 Dollars!

If you love the idea of a cat tree or cat play structure, but find them a bit pricey... I found this one below for under 100 bucks!  It gives them lots to do and climb and hang from.

Merax Cat Tree Tower

You can get this one in 9 different styles depending on your budget.

Place These cat climbing tower in the most popular rooms you are in.  Cats may seem independent and aloof, but in reality, they like to spend time in the same rooms you do.  If you are concerned about the look of them matching your living room or family room decor, then search for ones that are a bit more designer!

Full Page of Cat Trees and Condos

Our old cat tree was so beaten up I didn't want to put it in the living room. But I have seen discovered there are many nice looking pieces of cat tree furniture on the market so that they fit in much better.

Keep Cats Busy to Keep them Inside

This is the goal to keeping cats indoors.  If you give them lots to do or to check out, it will be easier to get them out of the habit of going out.  Our one kitty was feral when we first found him and slowly became tame and spends a lot of time indoors and plays, but still, at night meows at the door to go out.

If you can distract them with toys, cat climbing towers, scratching posts, interactive toys and more, you can slowly get them out of the habit of going out, especially at night.

Interactive Cat Toy - If No Room for Cat Trees

Keeping them mental stimulated and active is the key to keeping your cat or cats happy and more interested in staying indoors.

Interactive Cat Toy

This is a treat maze, they have to find their little treats and it can keep them busy for hours. Tons of happy reviews for this product.

Between a cat climbing tower, a few toy mice, and this interactive Cat toy, your kitties can be kept mentally stimulated and active for hours without stressing you or your furniture.  This is especially important if you have them in while at work all day, and also want them to stay in at night.

Keep them busy during the day and they will be quite tired at night.  Our cat used to wake us up about 5am, but has stopped that since we have mentally stimulated him more with activities.

If You Simply Do Not Have Floor Space for a Cat Tree.....  Check this Out!

Wall Mounted Cat Shelving

As I searched for different and unique cat climbing towers and cat condos, I came across this super cool way to give those curtain climbers something to do!

Don't be surprised if you come home one day and they are way up high on the wall watching the world go by.

Living Art at its Best!! If you simply do not have the floor space for a kitty tower, then using the wall space for your cats instead of picture frames would definitely make a conversation piece in a living room!

Floating Sisal Step

Cat Wall Lounger

I really think this is a super cool idea for anyone that has a blank wall they don't mind creating into Cat Art!

Keep Your Cats Mentally Stimulated

Give them fun things to do and fun places to nap and your cats should be happy kitties when you get home or when you wake up.

This is my plan for my former feral cat Moo (check out his story here)

Enjoy your kitties they are such fun pets.  I ended up with 3, so keeping them stimulated keeps my furniture and my arms in one piece!

Kitty Wall Shelf and Feeding Station I am actually quite enjoying the idea of wall shelving to keep my kitties busy. Since we downsized, I don't have as much floor space, but I have plenty of wall space, and these are an affordable way to keep my cats busy.