Handmade Holidays: Adorning Gifts in Jars

This post concludes my series on handmade holiday gifts.  Previous weeks included instructions for making hand-rolled beeswax candles, hot cocoa mix, and spice rub.  A list of other possible gifts in jars is at the bottom of the post.

I believe that giving a homemade or home canned gift in a mason jar is a true expression of love.  A homemade jam contains peak of the season flavors and the gift of time spent preserving.  Custom spice, cocoa, or baking mixes show genuine consideration for the individual.

To elevate the gift beyond everyday pantry fare, proper wrapping is in order.

First, label the lid to ensure the recipient knows what they are getting.  I like to use my Brother Personal Labeler Machine to denote the contents and date/instructions as applicable. Writing neatly with a permanent marker works fine too.

Because the tops aren't all that pretty, cover them with something beautiful. Old maps and books make a cute topping, especially when you can match the paper to something unique about giftee. I used a discarded Tennessee map to create the top and gift tag cover for the spice rub I'm giving to a certain brother in law who now lives in Murfreesboro.

Fabric covers can be made from scraps or fat quarters bought at the craft store. Use pinking shears to cut the edges of a square or circle just a bit larger than the lid. Slip the metal ring over the top and you have a cute cover.

Tie a piece of raffia, ribbon, or twine around the ring. Attach a paper or cardboard gift tag to identify the recipient and giver. I adore the country chic letterpress gift tags from Igloo Letterpress pictured at left.

A big bow on top would be another lovely adornment. Condo Blues and How About Orange have step by step instructions for making your own from newsprint or magazine pages.

How do you adorn homemade gifts?

Other handmade food gift ideas: Liqueur Fruit Jam (apple pie, peach, or strawberry) Applesauce a loaf of bread (no-knead or cranberry) Sugared cranberries

Handmade Holidays: Dad's Spice Rub

Last week I shared how to make hand-rolled beeswax candles. This week I offer recipes for this spice rub and cocoa mix. The series concludes next Monday with ideas for perfectly packaging your handmade gifts.

My parent's kitchen counter always has a crock of this spice rub alongside the baking canisters. Dad uses this rub for large cuts of meat he later smokes and as a topping for grilled salmon. Because of the sugar content, this rub will flame if used over high direct heat.

When mixed up, this spice mix has an auburn color that looks lovely in a jar topped with a coordinating holiday fabric or an old map as pictured here. Tweak the spices a little, add a label with a catchy title, and you have a tasty gift sure to be appreciated by any cooks on your list.

Dad's Spice Rub from Where There's Smoke, There's Flavor by Richard Langer fills one half pint jar

2/3 cup dark brown sugar 1/4 cup paprika 2 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon ground cayenne (adjust heat here) 1 tablespoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon ground white pepper 2 teaspoons ground coriander 1 teaspoon salt

1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. 2. Store in a sealed container at room temperature. 3. Uses: coat meat with a layer of spice mix and grill or use as a dry rub for larger cuts of meat.

Other handmade food gift ideas: Liqueur Fruit Jam (apple, peach, or strawberry) Applesauce a loaf of bread (no-knead or cranberry) Sugared cranberries

Added to Hearth and Soul blog hop.

Handmade Holidays: Rolled Beeswax Candles

Are you making handmade gifts this year?  We are! Hand-rolled beeswax candles will make an appearance in several gift baskets.  They are simple enough that Lillian can make a passable candle and they burn cleanly with only the slightest honey scent.

We order bulk beeswax sheets from Knorr Beeswax for $43 (shipped) for twenty 8x16 inch sheets and wick. It comes in a variety of colors and is very high quality in our experience.

To roll, lay out an art mat (aka old plastic placemat) on which to work.  An old pair of scissors works well to cut the sheets to size.  We use half a sheet (8x8) for a standard dinner candlestick.  A half sheet cut on the diagonal makes a taper.  For a pillar, roll the entire 8x16 inch sheet or cut to the height you wish.

Place the wick at one edge of the wax.  Roll slowly and tightly, keeping the bottom edge aligned.  Wax rolls best on a warm day and can be warmed slightly with a hair dryer if it is crumbling.

Lillian likes to use mini cookie cutters to cut decorations for the candles.

An adult must press the cookie cutters through the wax as it is very difficult to cut cleanly.  I press with my full weight and slide the cutter back and forth against the cutting mat to be sure the wax cuts all the way through.

Once we discovered handmade beeswax candles a few years ago, we fell in love. We roll them for everyday use and special occasions. Two years ago, we helped Lil paint terra cotta pot bases and make pillars to give as a set for Xmas. She insists on making hand-rolled custom birthday candles.

For gift giving, I like to tie two dinner or taper candles together with a bit of raffia or ribbon before wrapping or tucking them into a gift basket.

Please excuse the uncovered cans in the basket. A post on prettying up home canned goods is coming soon!

What are you making for holiday gifts this year?