9 Gifts In A Jar You Still Have Plenty Of Time To Make

Move over gift baskets, because there’s a new easy gift in town… the gift JAR! A few years ago I wrote a post about simple gifts that you can assemble and give in a glass jar. That post became wildly popular! Much more so than I ever would have anticipated, and it continues to make the rounds on Pinterest around Christmastime every year! So I decided it was time to do a follow-up to my original “Gifts in a Jar” post, with all-new ideas to keep the inspiration flowing. (And just in case you missed the original post, you can check it out at the link below.)

The vital component of a great gift in a jar, unsurprisingly, is the jar itself. My very favorite jars for gifting are the 1-gallon and 2-gallon glass jars by Anchor Hocking, which I bought at Walmart a few years ago for $10. I LOVE these jars, because they’re pretty inexpensive and SO versatile. (For instance, I use one of the 2-gallon jars as a container for my homemade powdered laundry detergent recipe! It looks pretty in my laundry room, and it’s easy to tell when I need to make a new batch.) Any large glass jar you can find will work just fine, though!

As for what to put inside the jar… the possibilities are virtually endless! Today I’ll be sharing 9 different ideas for themed gifts-in-a-jar, but feel free to use these ideas to get your own creative juices flowing. (And when you do come up with your own genius idea for a gift in a jar, share it with us in a comment at the bottom of this post!) 🙂

9 (More) Ideas For Gifts In A Jar

1. Christmas Morning Cocoa

This jar includes everything you’d need to make dressed-up hot cocoa (or coffee) for a crowd! I included hot cocoa mix (but you could do coffee if you prefer), as well as candy canes, mini marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, and cookie straws.

2. Pancake Breakfast

This jar has everything you need to whip up a delicious pancake breakfast. I included my favorite pancake mix, a bottle of high-quality syrup, a cute whisk, and a new hot pad.

3. For The Handyman (Or Woman!)

This jar is packed with tools and handy knick-knacks. If you have a particular person in your life who you call when you need help fixing something, this jar would be perfect for them! I included Command hooks, a measuring tape, multitools, extension cords, and a pair of work gloves.

4. Relaxation Station

If you know someone who could use a relaxing night off, give them the gift of relaxation! In this jar, I included some ultra-soft wash cloths, scented bath bombs, a loofah, some bath salts, rejuvenating rose water, and of course, chocolate!

5. Game Night

A jar full of card games and board games is perfect for your ultra-competitive friends and family. 😉 You can find smaller games for just a few dollars at stores like Target & Walmart (check your local dollar store too!) so you can pack the jar full of new games without breaking the bank.

6. Chili Dinner

Who wouldn’t love a cozy bowl of chili on a frigid winter night? Many chili recipes call for canned beans, etc, so you can give someone everything they need to whip up a batch of chili as a delicious gift in a jar! I included everything you’d need to make The Pioneer Woman’s Seven Can Chili, including canned tomatoes, beans, corn, and more. Delish!

7. College Survival Kit

Students typically need all the help they can get, so get them a gift full of college student staples! I included notebooks, pens, energy drinks, instant noodles, and some cute dorm decor.

8. Road Warrior

This is the perfect gift for the person in your life who is always on the go. I included auto glass cleaning wipes, a nice sponge for washing the car, and a handy USB car charger. (And some candy for snacking, of course!)

9. For Gamers And Binge-Watchers

Here’s a jar that’s perfect for anyone who loves video games, movies, or TV shows. I included some microwave popcorn, a new video game (swap for a TV series box set or new movie as necessary), a cozy blanket, and a few fun toys.