Bake it yourself; I'll Can it and Wrap it
"I'm going to Fleet Farm. I need canning jars."
"Mom, you have a case of canning jars in the basement!"
"No, I used them up!"
"Can't you wait?"
"No, they'll be on sale now. And the real canners will buy them out if I don't hurry."
The truth comes out: My name is Daisy, and I don't can.
I grow the vegetables.
I cook the vegetables.
I freeze the sauces and soups.
But I don't can.
So why on Earth do I need canning jars?
For Gifts in a Jar, of course!!
I received a gift like this several years ago and I just loved the concept. I invested in two Jar books, one for cookies and one for bars, and I've given some of these every Christmas. It's just the dry ingredients, layered nicely to look artistic, with the recipe attached. People always enjoy them. I enjoy picking out the recipes, making sure I have the right ingredients, and then putting the jars together. Wrapping is simple, too. I use a fair amount of (reusable) tissue to cushion the jar, then put it in a (reusable or reused) gift bag. It takes time, and time is precious. But time is also a gift, and this is one way I can show my coworkers I appreciate all they time they spend on the students we share.
So back to the beginning. Did I make it to Fleet Farm in time to get a case of quart-sized canning jars? Yes and no. I got the jars, but they were all out of wide-mouth. I had to buy the standard size. Wide-mouth is easier for packing in flour and sugar and chocolate chips and raisins. Next year I'll get there earlier to beat the rush.
This post was not sponsored by Gifts in a Jar, but here's the link if you'd like the books. I see they've expanded beyond the cookies and bars that I usually give. The blog blast is, however, based on a topic suggested by Klutz, publishers of activity and craft books, and the omnipresent Parent Bloggers Network.
I think I'll browse the other blog blasts and sigh in envy at those bloggers with actual crafty talents.
Stumble It!
"Mom, you have a case of canning jars in the basement!"
"No, I used them up!"
"Can't you wait?"
"No, they'll be on sale now. And the real canners will buy them out if I don't hurry."
The truth comes out: My name is Daisy, and I don't can.
I grow the vegetables.
I cook the vegetables.
I freeze the sauces and soups.
But I don't can.
So why on Earth do I need canning jars?
For Gifts in a Jar, of course!!
I received a gift like this several years ago and I just loved the concept. I invested in two Jar books, one for cookies and one for bars, and I've given some of these every Christmas. It's just the dry ingredients, layered nicely to look artistic, with the recipe attached. People always enjoy them. I enjoy picking out the recipes, making sure I have the right ingredients, and then putting the jars together. Wrapping is simple, too. I use a fair amount of (reusable) tissue to cushion the jar, then put it in a (reusable or reused) gift bag. It takes time, and time is precious. But time is also a gift, and this is one way I can show my coworkers I appreciate all they time they spend on the students we share.
So back to the beginning. Did I make it to Fleet Farm in time to get a case of quart-sized canning jars? Yes and no. I got the jars, but they were all out of wide-mouth. I had to buy the standard size. Wide-mouth is easier for packing in flour and sugar and chocolate chips and raisins. Next year I'll get there earlier to beat the rush.
This post was not sponsored by Gifts in a Jar, but here's the link if you'd like the books. I see they've expanded beyond the cookies and bars that I usually give. The blog blast is, however, based on a topic suggested by Klutz, publishers of activity and craft books, and the omnipresent Parent Bloggers Network.
I think I'll browse the other blog blasts and sigh in envy at those bloggers with actual crafty talents.
Labels: blog blast, holidays, it's not easy being green, it's the economy
Stumble It!
posted @6:00 AM
6 Comments:
This is a great idea I never thought of it, although I have received gifts in a jar, never gave thought of how it got in there. I have an idea for you, when I was garage saleing I saw a lot of wide mouth canning jars for sale, most looked unused and very cheap, just thought I would pass it along, have a good day.
The new "Taste of Home Cooking School" edition has a ton of gift in a jar recipes in it, if you're scoping out new ones. :)
I did sugar cookie mixes at friend's baby shower and tied a raffia ribbon to hold the recipe and a silver teddy bear cookie cutter. Everyone really like them.
Also, I swear by the canning funnel. It makes your regular jar a wide mouth. This is especially helpful when canning jelly.
You could buy and buy for me at the holidays, and nothing would impress me as much as goodies in a jar. I mean, homemade goodies packaged by the maker. How awesome! And the time it takes to do it seems the greatest gift of all. Great warm post, thanks! I'm in the holiday spirit now!
Jeanne
www.ecolabelfundraising.com
What a cool idea! Thanks for visiting my blog! It means alot. :)
I got one of those once and took me forever to finally make it, but yummy. We got to go to an HP party where they had those and all this cool stuff to decorate the jars. Thanks for commenting over at my blog. Cool idea about the teacher as a parent. There is actually quite a bit of effort to involve the spanish speaking parents, but there is very far to go.
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