This holiday season, providing family and friends with gifts doesn’t need to mean breaking the bank. With mason jars and other easily accessible items, these DIY gifts are both thoughtful and simple.

Hot chocolate mix

Put the following items in a mason jar:

• 1 cup powdered milk

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy (optional)

Pay close attention to the size of the container so that the ratio of ingredients is constant. Include a little tag with the jar that lets the recipient know to mix the contents in a bowl and place a third of the mix in a mug. Then add boiling water and stir. The remaining mix should be stored in an airtight container. 

Courtesy of myrecipes.com

Peppermint bath salt

Mix the following ingredients in a bowl:

• 2 cups Epsom salt

• 4 drops peppermint essential oil

• 4 drops green (or red) food coloring

Pour the mixture into a mason jar for festive peppermint-scented bath salt.

Manicure in a jar

 For a fun, girly gift, include the items necessary for a manicure in a jar:

• Nail polish 

• Travel-sized nail polish remover

• Cotton balls

Mason jar lantern

For this gift, simply paint the mason jar with acrylic paint of any color or design and include a tea-light. The jar may also be used for other things, such as holding pencils, makeup brushes and more. 

• Nail file

Snowman in a jar

 Fill a mason jar with white chocolate covered pretzels and attach black buttons in a row down the front of the jar for a tasty snowman treat.

Maddie can be reached at [email protected].