Free Gifts In A Jar Recipes, Tags & Tips

Gifts in a jar typically include all the ingredients to make or bake something that are stored in jars (like mason jars or jam jars, etc.) and presented as gifts.

They can be cookie mixes, cake mixes, bath & beauty ingredients (like bath salts and foot soaks), hearty soup mixes, bread, buns, pastry ingredients, seasoning mixes, hot beverage recipes (like Homemade Instant Cappuccino Mixes), any recipe that will keep well in a jar pretty much works.

Sometimes the ingredients are all layered in the jar and this can look quite appealing if there’s some contrast between the colors, other times the recipe ingredients are fully mixed together before being placed in the jar.

After filling the jars, you can decorate the lids to look pretty and more festive. Make sure to include the list of ingredients and recipe directions for cooking or baking the mix or how to use the gift.

Here’s a collection of resources that share hundreds of free recipes for these lovely homemade gifts. I also added a few treats at the bottom for how to decorate the jar lids as well as some freebie printables (labels & tags for gifts in a jar).

Free Homemade Gifts In A Jar Recipes

• Gifts From The Kitchen: Gift-Worthy Recipes & Mixes (many are suitable for jar gifts)
• Pampering Beauty & Spa Gifts To Make (many are suitable for jar gifts)
• Nikibone.com – Gifts in a Jar
• Gifts From Your Kitchen – Gifts in a Jar or Bag (click categories to view all the recipes)
• Craftbits – Jar Gifts Category
• Mary Mae’s Jars and Mixes
• 354+ Edible Gift Mixes
• Gifts You Can Make: Delicious Hot Drink Mixes

Decorating Ideas For Gift Jar Lids

Simple Jar Topper Ideas: Cover lids with pretty scraps of fabric or heavy paper and tie with bits of ribbon, heavy string or rafia.

More Ideas:

• Martha Stewart: Decorative Jar Lids
• Quick Jar Covers: Decorating jars of homemade preserves is a cinch with cupcake wrappers, available in many patterns and colors at the grocery store.
• Felt Jar Topper – LuckyKate Crafts: This has a strawberry design but you can change it to whatever you like.
• Directions to Sew Fabric Canning Jar Covers
• Jar Topper With Bias Tape Finished Edge
• Oilcloth Gift Jar Toppers
• Scrappy Jar Lids Tutorial
• Embroidered Jam Jar Gift Toppers
• Decorate with Spray Paint, Decals & Clear Gloss Spray
• Embossed Lids: Special supplies required but these are nice!
• Sweet Pot Covers: (crochet pattern)

Tags & Labels For Gift Jars

• Canning Jar Labels: Free Printables
• Lollychops
• Domino Sugar: Baking Gift Tags (pdf)
• Domino Sugar: Spa Gifts In A Jar Tags (pdf)

And here are some tips if you’re new to making gifts in a jar: Giving Dessert Making Ingredients in Jars and Containers (About.com).

Homemade gifts in a jar are easy to make and they’re great frugal gifts, they’re also nice additions to homemade gift baskets.