How many gifts have we ever received that were immediately returned to the store? The reason, most likely, is because the giver didn't know us well enough or, worse, didn't personally care about us; it was an obligation. Many commercially bought gifts are boring and do not have any personal flavor. But, no fear; it's never too late to begin getting creative! Time to have some fun crafting our own special Christmas gifts to give to our favorite people.
One of the most clever of ideas are the Gifts in a Jar. Just about anything goes and this is easy! Use quart size Mason jars, so the lid can be decorated with fabric and ribbons or anything else our imaginations can come up with. We can adapt them to our individual friends and family, so they reflect both the giver and the receiver!
FOOD JARS: fill with ingredients, include the recipe, and add something extra like a scoop or special utensil.
cookies
soups
muffins
hotcakes
oatmeal & fruit
candy
MEMORY JARS: everyone likes nostalgia. Find unique items to fill a jar to show how you remember a special person in your life. Add a love note too.
tiny photos and/or mementos of favorite times together
toys of all kinds reflecting the person's hobby or a special occasion
colorful strips of paper with Scripture promises written out
hopeful and encouraging thoughts on specialty papers
ONE-OF-A-KIND JARS: these are like a "story in a jar" complete with an ending. They could be something unique, different or to enlighten in some way. Here is an example:
Ingredients: one-quart Mason jar; 2 cups white, uncooked rice; 20 whole walnuts; a 6-inch square of colorful, cotton fabric; length of matching ribbon enough to go around jar twice; card stock.
Write or type out the following instructions and print on card stock; fill the jar accordingly; place metal insert on jar; place fabric on top of insert and screw on lid around fabric; punch hole in printed cardstock and string onto ribbon; tie around jar underneath the fabric.
Instructions:
This Jar is Your Life
It contains exactly 2 cups of rice and 20 walnuts. The rice represents everything YOU want to do with your life and the walnuts represent everything GOD wants you to do with your life. Now, if you try putting in all the rice first, then the walnuts, it doesn't work. But if you put in the walnuts first and then the rice, it all works perfectly according to HIS plan! Keep this jar as a reminder that God doesn't want much from us, just a few walnuts!
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