The document provides instructions for making several gifts in jars, including food items, bath products, and home decor. Recipes include a hearty bean soup mix, cranberry cookies, bread dip, cake in a mug mix, spiced tea mix, candy cane bath salts, sugar scrub, and scented potpourri holiday jars. Ingredients are listed to layer in jars. Labels with preparation instructions are included to attach to each gifted jar.

1. By Patsy BrautigamReference LibrarianHarris County Public Library-Lone Star College CyFair BranchGifts In A Jar

2. FoodHearty Bean Soup Mix Layer into 1-pint jar:1/4 cup dried garbanzo beans1/4 cup dried navy beans (or black beans or lima beans)1/4 cup dried red kidney beans (or pinto beans)1/4 cup dried split peas1 bay leafPlace into small sandwich bag and add to jar:1 T. onion powder2 T. pearl barley1/4 tsp. celery seed2 tsp. instant chicken bouillon granules1/2 tsp. dried basil1/4 tsp. garlic powder1/8 tsp. seasoned salthttp://craftbits.com/project/hearty-bean-soup-mix Instructions to attach to jar: Hearty Bean Soup MixCombine contents of jar with 8 cups water in large saucepan. Add 1 pound link sausage. Cover and simmer 3-3 1/2 hours or until beans are tender, adding water when necessary. Variation: Add 16-oz. can tomatoes.

3. Food Cranberry Hootycreeks Cookies in a Jar Layer these ingredients in a one-quart jar: 1 1/8 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup uncooked oats 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed 3/4 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup white chocolate baking chips 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped Be sure ingredients are packed tightly to prevent mixing of layers, and seal jar.http://christmas.organizedhome.com/recipes/gifts-in-a-jar/cranberry-hootycreeks Instructions to attach to jar:Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, beat together 1/2 C. softened butter, 1 egg and 1 tsp. vanilla until fluffy. Add contents of jar, and mix until well blended.

4. FoodCarrabba’s Bread Dip Ingredients:1 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 teaspoon ground black pepper1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried rosemary1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried parsley1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon minced garlic1 teaspoon kosher saltGrind all ingredients together in food processor. http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/77/Carrabbas-Herb-Oil-for-Dippin86209.shtml http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/77/Carrabbas-Herb-Oil-for-Dippin86209.shtml Instructions to attach to jar:Place a few teaspoons of mixture into 1/4 cup warm olive oil for a delicious bread dip!

5. FoodChristmas Girlfriend Cookies in a Jar Layer ingredients in this order in a one-pint mason jar and cover with a lid:· 3/4 cup and 1 T. and 1 tsp. all-purpose flour· 1/4 tsp. baking soda· 1/4 cup white sugar· 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips· 1/2 cup M&Ms· 1/4 cup packed brown sugar http://www.nofussfabulous.com/?p=9435 For quart-size recipe, see Julia’s Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Julias-Best-Ever-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies-In-A-Jar/Detail.aspx Instructions to attach to jar:Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In separate bowl combine 6 T. butter, 1 egg, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture. Drop by tablespoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 375 ° oven for 6-10 minutes. Makes 6 to 8 cookies.

6. FoodInstant Potato Soup MixRecipe for soup mix:2 C. instant mashed potatoes1 ½ C. instant milk powder2 T. instant chicken bouillon1 tsp. onion powder1 tsp. dried parsley¼ tsp. pepper¼ tsp. dried thyme1 tsp. seasoning saltCombine all ingredients in a bowl; transfer to gift jars. Makes 6 servings. http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/potato-soup.shtmlInstructions to attach to jar:To serve, place ½ cup mix in soup bowl and add 1 cup boiling water. Stir until smooth.

7. FoodCake in a Mug Ingredients for cake batter:· 1 cake mix (any flavor)· 1 pkg. instant pudding (any flavor combination to go with your cake mix)· 1/4 cup pecans, walnuts, dried cranberries, craisins, etc.Mix together all ingredients. Divide into 4 portions and place into sandwich bag. Label as “batter mix.” Ingredients for topping:· 2 cups flour 1 cup uncooked oats· 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp. cinnamonCombine ingredients. Divide into 4 portions and place into 2nd sandwich bag. Label as “topping mix.” Instructions to attach to jar:Place contents of “batter mix” bag into small mixing bowl. Add 2 T. vegetable oil and 5 T. water, Mix well and place into greased and floured mug. Place contents of “topping mix” into separate bowl. Cut in 2 T. butter. Place topping over batter. Bake for 45 minutes in preheated 350 degree oven.

8. Beverage Instant Spiced Tea Mix Mix together:1 cup instant tea (sweetened with sugar and flavored with lemon)1 cup Tang (or similar orange-flavored instant breakfast drink)1 tsp. cloves1 tsp. cinnamon Makes 2 cups spiced tea mix. Instructions to attach to jar:Place 1 or 2 heaping teaspoons in a cup. Add boiling water and enjoy!

9. BathCandy Cane Bath Salts in a Jar Ingredients: · 8 cups Epsom Salts · 3 cups sea salt or kosher salt· 1/4 tsp. glycerin· 6 drops peppermint essential oil (or adjust to preference)· 6 drops red food color (or adjust to preference) Place Epsom Salts, sea salt, glycerin, and essential oil into large mixing bowl and stir well. Place half this mixture into a separate bowl. To first bowl add food color, and stir until completely blended. Color should be even. Layer mixtures into jars with lids, alternating white and colored mixtures. http://christmas.organizedhome.com/recipes/gifts-in-a-jar/candy-cane-bath-saltsInstructions to attach to jar:Candy Cane Bath SaltsPlace 2-3 tablespoons in your tub for a refreshing bath! Add 1/2 tsp. baking soda for extra smooth skin!

10. BathWhite Cane Glimmer Sugar Scrub1 cup granulated sugar1 cup vegetable oilOil from 1 or 2 vitamin E capsulesFew drops of essential oil (orange is nice)Glass container with lidCombine all ingredients in a bowl. Transfer mixture into container with lid. http://www.dominosugar.com/content/203/white-cane-glimmer-sugar-scrub.aspxInstructions to attach to jar:Contents will settle, so mix before using. Scoop a teaspoon or two on your hands and gently massage in circular motion. Leave on skin for 3-4 minutes – scrub will tighten on your skin. Rinse thoroughly and enjoy your soft skin!

11. HomeLighted Potpourri Holiday Jars What you will need:· Large, clean glass jar· String of 20 to 30 mini lights· Scented potpourri· Doily or open-weave fabric circle to cover jar lid· Rubber band· Ribbon or raffia· Seasonal decorations, tacky glue or hot glue Directions for assembly:1. Add a layer of potpourri to cover bottom of jar2. Turn on the lights and begin feeding them into the jar, adding potpourri as you go, so that the lights are spaced equally and supported by the potpourri that you are packing around them. Do not pack the jar too tightly.3. Allow the end of the light string to come out through the top and tuck it to the back of the jar.4. Cover mouth of jar with doily and strong elastic band.5. Cover elastic band with decorations such as ribbon, raffia, etc.6. As scent fades, replenish with a fragrance or essential oil that complements the original scent.Adapted from http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/litjars.shtml

12. LabelsHearty BeanSoup MixCombine contents of jar with 8 cups water in large saucepan. Add 1 pound link sausage. Cover and simmer 3-3 1/2 hours or until beans are tender, adding water when necessary. Variation: Add one 16-oz. can tomatoes. CandyCane Bath SaltsUse 2-3 tablespoons for a refreshing bath

13. LabelsCranberryHootycreeksPreheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, beat together 1/2 C. softened butter, 1 egg and 1 tsp. vanilla until fluffy. Add contents of jar, and mix until well blended.Drop rounded tablespoons onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges start to brown. Makes 18-24 cookies. Carrabba’s Bread DipPlace a few teaspoons of mixture into 1/4 cup warm olive oil for a delicious bread dip!