Gift Ideas

Each year it seems to get increasingly more difficult to find gifts for all of those on our holiday list. Do you find yourself wondering what to give those households of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, cousins, etc in your family?How about a delicious Meal-in-a-basket! Easy, Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Entire Families..... or..

Want an Idea for Individuals, take a peak at our Mug Mixes.

No need to purchase gifts individually when you can create an easy basket the entire family can enjoy!

Above: This particular "basket" was done as a Hostess Gift for a Christmas Party. It contains various cookie mix recipes & Dip Mixes

1. Breakfast Basket
2. College Survival Meal Basket
3. Cookie Monster Basket
4. Country Comfort Gift Basket
5. Dessert Basket
6. Family Snack Basket
7. Gingerbread Man Basket
8. Healthy Vegetarian Basket
9. Italian Meal Basket
10. Pizza Kit Basket
11. Salad Basket
12. Southwestern Basket

Need Ideas for Gift Containers? Try These!

Creating beautiful gifts from the heart is fun, inexpensive and unique. Jar mixes can be created using ANY type of mix recipe, including potting mixes for the gardening enthusiast. Choose from one of hundreds of mix recipes in over 31 categories or Individual Mug Mix Recipes.

1. Paint a Design on your Jar before filling it.
2. Layer the ingredients in the Jar like Sand Art
3. Wrap the entire Jar in Tulle or Fabric
4. Attach a Tag using ribbons or Raffia
5. Wrap the entire Jar with Colored Cellophane or Fabric
6. Simply add a finish tag & Pretty Label
7. Place several different size mixes in a Themed gift basket
8. Purchase odd shaped jars at dollar stores & fill them
9. Attach small whisks, wooden spoons, mini garden trowel, jute, etc to spruce up your jar
10. Decoupage photos to your jar, or pieces of Tissue paper for a stained glass effect
11. Attach a cookie cutter with some ribbons or raffia
12. To create a star effect with you layers, slide a toothpick or Kebob Stick down the sides, allowing the ingredients to "Star": See below

1. Use hot-glue to add Flowers, spice ornaments.
2. If making a jar for a grandparent, let the kids use different colors of paint and "Handprint" the jar
3. Decorate with stickers
4. Make your jar sparkle with Glitter Paints
5. Use Babyfood Jars for Dip mixes & Single serving "Mug" Mixes
6. Create a Raffia Bundle by cutting 6" pieces, bundle the center with a twistie tie. Fluff it out a bit & attach to jar with hot glue
7. Create a Victorian "feel" to your jar by attaching dried flowers and a drapery tassel
8. Top jar with a doily & paint the lid, glue on a fabric heart, bat, christmas tree etc
9. For western theme, wrap bandana around jar & attach mini straw hat
10. Decorate jar or bottle with natural materials such as mini pine cones

How should I layer the Mixes? There is no right or wrong way to layer your jar mixes. However, to make the jar most appealing, try using various textures & contrasting colors. For instance in a Butterscotch cookie mix, place a layer of flour first, brown sugar second, nuts third , butterscotch chips fourth and so on. The variety will add appeal to your gifts and make them visually enticing.

Here are several tips for successfully layering your jars.

1. Start with the lightest ingredients first: Flour (be sure to mix your baking soda, powder, salt if listed). This will ensure that the mix incorporates smoothly.
2. Pack down each layer firmly. I've used the bottom of a cup, back of a spoon, small ladle, etc to be sure each layer is packed tightly.
3. Add your nuts, raisins, chocolate pieces, candies and other larger, more coarse ingredients.
4. Items such as flour, cocoa powders, powdered milk often leave a light powdery residue on the jar. To remove this simply wipe the inside of the jar with a paper-towel before adding your next layer.