Image courtesy of thedomesticgeek.com
Christmas is almost here!
It’s that time of year when you look at the list of all the special people in your life, but when you try to brainstorm gift ideas, your mind goes… well, completely blank! What do you buy for the person who already has everything?
Gifts in a jar are simple, inexpensive… and fun.
Mason jar recipes make for easy gift-giving. From bath salts to cookie ingredients, holiday beverage mixes, baking mixes and more, these home-made gifts are great for family, co-workers and friends.
Here are just a couple of our favorites complete with instructions and printable labels:
Cookies in a Jar
1 wide-mouth quart (4-cup) canning jars with lid and rings
1⁄4 cup sugar
1 1⁄4 cup M&M-brand chocolate candies
2 cups sifted, all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
3⁄4 cups brown sugar, packed
1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions:
Sift flour before measuring. Mix together flour, soda and baking powder. Layer flour mixture, brown sugar, granulated sugar and M&Ms-brand candies in jar. Pack firmly.
Cut appropriate number of 7-inch circles from cotton fabric. Top each jar with fabric circle, and tie with ribbon.
Print appropriate number of gift tags. Cut gift tags apart and attach to ribbon. Or, hand-write recipe tag using the following recipe:
M&M Cookies in a Jar Recipe
Empty jar of cookie mix into mixing bowl; blend thoroughly. Add 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened, 1 beaten egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix until completely blended.
Roll into 1-inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees until edges are lightly browned, about 12 to 14 minutes.
Cool on cookie sheet for five minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.
Sand Art Brownies
1 wide-mouth quart (4-cup) canning jar
2⁄3 teaspoon salt
1 1⁄8 cup sifted, all-purpose flour, divided
1⁄3 cup cocoa powder
2⁄3 cup brown sugar
2⁄3 cup sugar
1⁄2 cup chocolate chips
1⁄2 cup white chocolate chips
1⁄2 cup walnuts or pecans
Instructions:
Sift flour before measuring. Layer ingredients as follows: Salt, 5/8 c. flour, cocoa powder, 1/2 c. flour, brown sugar, sugar, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and walnuts.
Close jars with lids and rings. Cut appropriate amount of 7-inch circles from cotton fabric. Top each jar with fabric circle, and tie with ribbon.
Attach a printable gift tag, or create your own tag using the following recipe:
Sand Art Brownies Recipe
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one 9×9 baking pan. Pour the contents of the jar into a large bowl and mix well. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2/3 cup vegetable oil and 3 eggs. Beat until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
Give them the gift of a healthy smile with Sonicare.
Of course, I wouldn’t be a good dentist if I didn’t share with you my favorite last-minute gift-giving idea — a Philips® Sonicare Toothbrush!
We love Sonicare products because they remove more plaque than regular brushes — and that means healthier gums and teeth. The Sonicare is also gentle, especially for sensitive teeth.
Stop in and grab these great gifts while they last… and give the gift of whiter and healthier teeth!
Sonicare brushes come in adult and child sizes and a variety of styles.
All of us at Bedminster Family & Cosmetic Dentistry wish you a joyous holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year.
Dr. Mike Mavrostomos is passionate about providing top-quality, comprehensive dental care. He is located in Bedminster, NJ whose continual pursuit of education and state-of-the-art dentistry has led to his being recognized as one of New Jersey’s Top Dentists by the New Jersey Top-Docs committee.