Gifts and Recipe Ideas

Here are a few suggestions:

• A loaf of bread or some fresh pastries tied to a cutting board, accompanied by a bread knife
• Tea or coffee blend in a bright canister, a decorative tea or coffee pot, or a tea or coffee cup
• Jams, jellies, and other spreads in a reusable container, with a spoon or spreader attached
• Anything wrapped in a tea towel or decorative themed piece of cloth
• Cookies in a flowerpot, lined with plastic wrap or different colored cheese cloths
• A baking pan with a couple of pre-packed bread mixes, and a set of oven mittens
• A variety of unusual shapes and types of cookies packed with their cutters and their recipes
• Packaged Cocoa, Cappuccino, or flavored teas with assorted flavored biscotti's in a basket
• A decorative bag with fruit drink mixes and snacks for kids

Soup in a Jar

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup red lentils or 1/4 cup split peas
• 2 Tablespoons dried onion, chopped or minced
• 1-1/2 Tablespoons chicken-flavored bouillon granules
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried dill weed
• 1/8 teaspoon ground celery
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 small bay leaf
• 1 cup uncooked medium egg noodles and/or 1 cup barley

Prepare for packaging

1. Layer ingredients in the order given in a glass jar.
2. Cover the lid with a round or square of fabric that is cut 2-1/2" larger in diameter than the top of the jar. Use different shaped pinking shears for different looks. You could also use a white or plain colored cloth and stamp different designs and colors on the fabric.
3. Fasten it with a rubber band and tie it with a pretty ribbon to cover up the rubber band.
4. Attach a gift tag greeting with the recipe that says "This makes about 10 cups of good, hot soup. Here's how to make it."

Soup in a Jar Recipe

Ingredients

• Soup in a Jar mix
• 8 cups water
• 1 package (10 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables
• 2 cups cooked, diced turkey or chicken

Preparation Steps

1. Boil the water in a large saucepan over high heat.
2. Stir in all the ingredients, except the frozen mixed vegetables and cooked turkey.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
4. Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and cooked turkey.
5. Cook 5 minutes longer or until noodles and vegetables are tender.

Snowballs in a Jar

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Prepare for packaging

1. Combine the confectioners' sugar and flour.
2. Place into a 1 quart canning jar.
3. Put the chopped pecans or walnuts on top and close the lid.
4. Attach a gift tag greeting that says "This makes about 24 Snowballs. Here's how to make them."

Snowballs in a Jar Recipe

• Snowballs in a Jar mix
• 3/4 cup shortening and 1/4 cup margarine
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla
• Confectioners' sugar

Preparation Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Grease cookie sheets.
3. Cream together 3/4 cup of shortening and 1/4 cup of margarine in a medium bowl.
4. Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla.
5. Add the entire contents of the jar, and mix well.
6. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place them on the prepared cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly browned.
8. Cool and roll in confectioners' sugar.