Holiday Gifts From A Jar

Holiday Gifts From A Jar -- Jar-Assembly Tips:

Choose right size of container -- and make sure it has a tight-fitting lid to prevent spillage.

Most recipes call for 1-pint or 1-quart jars (wide-mouth jars are easier to fill and pack down).

You can save containers of these sizes throughout the year. Or, if you want to use more creative containers, visit a local crafts or container store. Be sure to wash all containers thoroughly before using them for food gifts.

Measure ingredients accurately -- and make sure any ingredients that need to be combined are well blended.

To fill jars with no mess -- transfer ingredients using a 1/4-cup measure or a wide-mouth funnel (or you can cut a hole in the bottom of a #2 coffee filter to create a "funnel").

Pack each layer down before adding next layer -- so all ingredients will fit in jar.

If layers are to packed down "firmly", use a flat-bottomed glass, tall spice jar, or long-handled ladle to press down the ingredients.

If a jar only needs to be packed lightly, tap the jar on table to settle the layer before adding the next one.

Pack in any order -- but, "powdery" ingredients, such as flour, cocoa or powdered sugar, should be placed on the bottom so they don't coat other ingredients.

Slightly coarser ingredients, such as granulated or brown sugar, come next.

Finally, ingredients consisting of larger pieces, such as oats, nuts, candies, cereals, or dried fruit, should be placed on top of other ingredients.

Seal the jar tightly, so the contents don't shift.

Canning jars with separate inner lid -- place decorative piece of fabric over jar lid before securing it with outer ring.

Jar with one-piece lid -- attach piece of fabric or tissue paper with double-sided tape.

For wide-mouth jar -- fabric or tissue paper should be 7 to 8 inches across. Trace a circle using a salad plate, for example.

Secure fabric by tying a ribbon, raffia, cord or additional strip of fabric around the lid.

Slip gift tag with recipe onto ribbon before tying a bow.