OK - it’s that time of year, just as I post a thread for recipes over in Cafe, I’m asking here how you feel about them.
For those not in the know, a gift jar is a mason jar filled with some set of dry ingredients that, when combined with some standard household wet stuff, makes a bunch of cookies or brownies or something. Right now we have one on our counter that’s some ratio of mini-marshmellows, peanut-butter chips, chocolate chips, and Lord know what else that’s supposed to melt in your microwave into some sort of brownie-fudgie thing, I think.
My like of these things is context sensitive. I wouldn’t want one from my mother but I don’t mind them from a coworker or church friend. My wife has a very nice lavender bath salt given in this form so this type of gift isn’t limited to just edibles.
I was thinking about gifting some of my coworkers with some homemade curds this year.
A couple years back I made jars of olive oil cured feta cheese with garlic, kalamata olives, and Greek herbs. It was a huge hit with all who received it
I made these last year to include into gift baskets. The baskets were food/kitchen themed and were for my grandmothers, aunts, and such.
My elderly grandparents enjoyed the baskets of treats and gadgets. My grandmother especially liked the jars because it was easy for her to make something on her own like she used to do.
My single aunts/uncles enjoyed them because it was something they don’t ever do for themselves (bake).
I think they are a nice stand alone gift for coworkers and acquaintances, and a nice extra to throw into a gift basket for extended family.
I like both giving and receiving homemade goodies and bath stuff, whether those things are in mason jars, tins, or what-have-you. I make homemade truffles and other chocolate goodies as Christmas gifts, and I’ve given mason jars of Jewish mother chicken soup (well, the stuff was Jewish woman chicken soup, I suppose–I haven’t had any children yet), cinnamon chocolate paste, etc. As far as I can tell, people have liked my gifts. The truffles and bonbons, at least, seem to disappear pretty darn fast.
Giving homemade stuff like this is infinitely better than buying something. The amount of effort you have to put into it shows that you gave some thought to things. It’s a gift they can “cash in” at their own choosing. It’s a really great idea.
I don’t know your coworkers, but will they know what to do with curds? 'Cuz I don’t.
Giving homemade stuff like this is infinitely better than buying something. The amount of effort you have to put into it shows that you gave some thought to things. It’s a gift they can “cash in” at their own choosing. It’s a really great idea.
I don’t know your coworkers, but will they know what to do with curds? 'Cuz I don’t.
I’m making homemade CDs this year. I’ve found out the music they like and I’m making custom CDs for my sisters and friends. Designing the labels and CD cases and everything. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had getting Christmas presents together. And no crowds.
Yeah, homemade stuff is OK by me. It wouldn’t be Christmas in our family without some canned pears from the tree in my Mom’s yard, or a bottle of ‘chili sauce’ (really a watered-down tomato chutney) from the Official Family Recipe.
I do my own cards as well, although it would actually be cheaper if I just bought them.
I like the mason jars; simple, inexpensive, but useful and they show you care. Great for those of us with more time than cash. Excellent especially as new-baby gifts, for when you just can’t spend more than 5 minutes on dinner. My personal favorite is the rainbow bean soup: jar of 5 different beans, baggie of spices, and can of crushed tomatoes. Makes truly yummy bean soup (not recommended for the new mom, as it makes baby cry). I’m happy to post the recipe if anyone wants.
My ma used to give all of us mason jars of preserved fruits and vegetables, but since she hadn’t learned to can until she was in her 60’s and she wasn’t always “on the ball” (if you know what I mean) we only used them for decorating the kitchen.
They made a lovely display of potential botulism.
One year, mom made jars of trail mix, custom-mixed by her to various family members’ tastes. It was, I thouĝt, a nice gift, and they were fun to make, too.
