Jar gifts are a wonderful, creative yet inexpensive ways to give gifts to family, friends and teachers. There are many wonderful recipes that can be made specifically designed for jars. These include soup mixes, spice mixes, cookie and other baked goods recipes, coffee and creamer recipes and so many more. These can be quite easy to make ahead of time, so you always have a gift you can grab whenever you need one, especially great for those last minute gift needs, or for the person who seems to have everything and is difficult to buy for.

Think also who the gift is from. If the gift is from a child for a grandparent, parent or teacher, decoupage the child's photo on the outside of the jar, then trim the edges of the photo with lace or some other finishing type of ribbon. The child could even paint a little something on the opposite side of the jar or his or her little handprint with paint.

You can use already decorated type jars, or standard canning jars. The most common sizes are the pint and quart sized jars, but baby jars are also great for smaller portion drink or spice type mix gifts.

You can use already decorated type jars, or standard canning jars. The most common sizes are the pint and quart sized jars, but baby jars are also great for smaller portion drink or spice type mix gifts.

Get creative also in the recipe instructions. Hang tags can be made either by hand, computer graphics or a label glued to the jar itself, but these can be customized to a central theme if desired. However you choose to do this, they will need the recipe's final instructions.

There are many delicious recipes that can be made specifically designed for jars. These include soup and bean mixes, spice mixes, cookie and other baked goods recipes, coffee and creamer recipes and so many more. These can be simple easy to make beforehand, so you always have a gift on hand when you need one especially great for those last minute gift ideas or for the person who has everything and is hard to buy for.

If the gift is from a child for a grandparent, parent or teacher, decoupage the child's photo on the outside of the jar, then trim the edges of the photo with lace or some other finishing type of ribbon. The child could even paint a little something on the opposite side of the jar.

Layer the ingredients for a decorative look. Place at the bottom layers the finest ingredients, like flour but be sure to mix in the baking sodas, salt, etc that's called for in the recipes. You can use a funnel if you'd like to help it stay orderly. If the flour dusts the rest of the jar, let it settle then gently wipe the jar with a paper towel before adding the rest of the layers. Brown sugar can be tamped down to save a bit of space.

You can accessorize your jar gifts by either gluing dried flowers, pinecones or whatever to the top of the jars as well. Or tie small items with ribbon or raffia to the jars. Common items that work well are measuring spoons, tiny whisks, cookie cutter, little garden tools, cinnamon bark, vanilla beans or any other small whimsical item you may find.

There are many beautiful ribbons and lace out that can be used in a variety of ways to be glued to the jar. Experiment with different textures, colors and ways of tying those to create fresh unique looks.

For a Victorian themed jar try a luscious tea mix or scone or other bakery recipe, gluing some lace around the rim of the jar, some small dried flowers on top or a tassel. Create a label or hang tag that looks like tea stained paper. For a western theme, try perhaps a bean soup recipe, wrap your jar in a bandanna, or use the bandanna itself as tied around the lid. Perhaps you can find a cowboy boot or hat graphic to decoupage on the jar itself, or paint one on.

What about the tea lover you know? Try some small baby jars filled with different flavored teas, cocoas and coffee mixes and put in a basket with a coffee mug and muffin or scone. Paint the jar lids coordinating colors to match the mug. Perhaps adding some gourmet tea bags and cinnamon sticks would be a nice touch as well. Let your creativity guide your senses.

There really is no end to the ideas a person can come up with, let your creativity flow and think also about who the gift is for to really make it especially for them.