GiftsInAJar

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Combine flour, baking soda, white sugar, and the chocolate chips. Place 1/2 of the mixture in a clean quart sized glass jar, and pack firmly. Place the brown sugar on top, again packing firmly. Place the remaining flour mixture on top. Cover with a lid.

Attach an index card with the following directions:

Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In separate bowl combine 3/4 cup of butter, 1 1/2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture. Drop by tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Makes 2 dozen.

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2 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa (not Dutch process)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix all the ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

Attach this to the Jar:

Double-Fudge Brownies
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
4 eggs
1 package Double-Fudge Brownie Mix

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 12 by 9 inch pan. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the Double-Fudge Brownie Mix & continue to beat the mixture until it is smooth. Spread the mixture into the greased pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

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1 3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes
1 1/2 cups dry milk
2 tablespoons instant chicken bouillon
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon Soul seasoning or seasoning salt
Optional: 1/4 cup cheese powder

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Place in jar and seal.

Attach To Jar:

Place 1/2 cup mix in soup bowl and add 1 cup boiling water. Stir until smooth.

Variations: add ham and/or cheese to soup as desired or sprinkle some imitation bacon bits over the top.

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3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups white sugar

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In a 1 quart large mouth jar, layer the sugar on the bottom and the flour mixture on top.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Empty the contents of the jar into a large bowl. Cut in 1 cup of softened butter until the mixture is crumbly. In a separate bowl, beat 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract until light and fluffy. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Cover bowl and chill for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart onto cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until
edges begin to brown.

You can decorate them with sugar before baking of frost after baking. Makes 2 dozen.

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2 tbsp. Instant Bacon Bits
1 tsp. Instant Beef Bouillon
1 tbsp. Instant Minced Onion
1/8 tsp. Minced Garlic

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl; blend well. Spoon mixture onto a 6-inch square of aluminum foil and fold to make airtight.

Label as Bacon-Flavored Dip Mix. Store in a cool, dry place and use within 6 months. Makes 1 package (about 3 tbsp.) of mix.

To make Bacon Flavored Dip: Combine 1 cup of sour cream and 1 package of mix. Chill at least 1 hour before serving. Makes about 1 cup of dip.

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1(2-lb.) box of Nestle Quik
1 (16 oz.) jar CoffeeMate
1(1 lb.) box powdered sugar
1 (8-oz.) box dry milk

Mix all ingredients together well. Store in airtight container. Use 3 to 4 heaping tablespoons of mix per cup of boiling water.

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1/4 C. Powdered Creamer
1/3 C. Sugar
1/4 C. Instant Coffee
2 T. Powdered Baking Cocoa
2 hard Peppermint candies

Process in a blender on liquify until well blended. Store in an air tight container. Use by tablespoonfuls according to taste. Spoon in cup and add hot water.

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I know this isn't a gift in a jar, but I just finished reading it, and it's fantastic, so I thought it worth mentioning here.

Sometimes the very best gifts are the simple ones, even just spending time with those who mean so much to you. This brand new ebook has 82 wonderful ideas for bringing the true meaning of Christmas back to your Holiday season.

From sharing memories of Christmases past, to simple Holiday party ideas, to creating new traditions, there are plenty of ways for you to show you care without spending a lot of money.

I especially loved idea #9 - giving a homemade coupon book to family, friends and neighbors that they can redeem throughout the year for your services such as babysitting or washing their car.

And idea #11 is a wonderful way to throw an inexpensive Holiday Party - a potluck, with a twist.

Many of these ideas can be adapted for occasions other than Christmas, too. Just use your imagination and you'll come up with unique birthday and other holiday ideas.

You can get a copy of "Creative Ways to Gift Your Love" and give your family and friends gifts from the heart this Holiday Season.

This isn't a Gift in a Jar either, but it's just as simple to make... a gift basket! Like Gifts in a Jar, gift baskets are made especially for the recipient and they can be made for any occasion.

For more information on making Gift Baskets click here.