It's great to be able to shop and buy the perfect gift for someone, but there are times when the budget simply won't allow it. That's when a lot of us begin searching for ways to make our own gifts that are neat and inexpensive. One thing that people can make is gifts in a jar. The variety is limited only by your imagination, the ingredients list can be tailored according to need, and the presentation is often quite appealing.

*Types of Gifts in a Jar: You can put almost anything in jars. Craft supplies, gardening kits, one-dish meals, and great desserts all fit in jars for gift giving that is easy to make and fun to receive.

^Layer beads, string, and jewelry clasp to make a fine gift for someone who loves working with their hands.

^ Spend a season preparing your own nutrient rich soil from compost. Pile it in a jar and decorate with a packet of easy to grow herbs and a garden spade.

^Fill a jar with pasta. Add in a homemade bag of dry seasoning mix and preprinted instructions that tell what liquids to add to make the perfect sauce. Decorate with a kitchen washcloth and wooden spoon.

^Layer all the dry ingredients for your favorite dessert in a jar. Include instructions for adding wet ingredients and decorate.

*Important Do's of Gifts in a Jar: There are some things that are required when you prepare gifts in a jar. They allow people to actually use the gift you give, as opposed to keeping it for display purposes only.

^Do plan your presentation. If you are giving beads, take some time to arrange them by color, using the string for added dimension.

^Do use a big enough jar. The size of the jar matters. You want one that is not too big or too small.

^Do include clear instructions to finish the project you present in your jar.

^Do protect things from dampness. If you make a gardening jar, keep the seeds dry in an airtight baggy.

^Do attach all things securely so that nothing gets lost.

*Save Money Making Gifts in a Jar: You can save a lot of money by giving gifts in a jar. Here are a few tricks to help you expand your gift giving, while staying in your budget.

^Buy ingredients in bulk. If you know you're going to need 20 gifts, buy the ingredients for those gifts in large quantities to receive a greater discount on them.

^Purchase jars and decorations at the dollar store.

^Design and print your own label and instruction cards.

These are only a handful of ideas for making gifts in a jar. You are limited only by your imagination, and almost any idea can be made within your budget if you plan accordingly. Giving gifts is great fun, and it's even better when you can give a really nice gift, even though you're closely watching your pennies. So have a little fun, get creative, and enjoy giving personalized gifts in jars.

Learn more about this author, M. J. Joachim.
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