maleficent

I do a lot of "jar" type gifts -- mainly coffee mixes -- but I've also done spice mixes or rubs as well.

You can get cups pretty cheap at dollar stores, and the ingredients are pretty easy to find...

Cappuccino Mocha Mix
Makes 2 1/2 cups of mix
6 heaping tablespoons of instant espresso
3 heaping tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 1/4 cups powdered nondairy creamer
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tbs ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

In a blender, combine espresso coffee powder, cocoa, nondairy creamer, sugar and cinnamon.

Now here's where Martha comes in -- take a clean glass jar and dump the mixture in it - -making a pretty cover for the lid, or dump into small single serve plastic bags with a label on it.

For the gift label: For each cup of cappuccino, measure 3 tablespoons of mixture into a coffee mug and stir in 8 oz of boiling water. Enjoy!

You could add on some peppermints, or something creative...

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Simply the Best Hot Cocoa

3 cups instant nonfat dry milk
1 bag chocolate baking chips (use semi-sweet, milk chocolate, white chocolate, mint chocolate, whatever works for you (the book I got this out of years ago, also suggested using peanut butter or butterscotch, that didn't sound quite so good to me)
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows (optional)

Put half of the dry milk in a blender or food processor, add half the chips, and whirl until finely ground. Do not continue mixing after finely ground or the mixture may clump. Pour mixture into a bowl and repeat to grind remaining milk and chips. Stir in marshmallows.

Spoon into a jar and cover tightly. Can be stored airtight for up to 6 months

For the gift label: For each serving, place 3 heaping tablespoons) of mix into a mug and add 6 ounces boiling water and stir until well combined.

You can get really creative with gifts like this - I have a bunch more recipes like this -- that I've used as gifts over the years - including various spice mixtures - it's kind of a fun easy way to be creative...

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