We’re delighted to share these wonderfully creative Christmas gift ideas featuring reused glass jars, created by top Instagram influencer Kate Jones @my_plastic_free_home.
I love making gifts during the festive season. They’re always well received and feel like a little bit of love has been poured into each one, capturing the true spirit of Christmas.
So, what’s my favourite way to store these gifts, you may ask? In glass jars, naturally, of all shapes and sizes. Glass isn’t just pretty; it’s durable, reusable, and a perfect way to show that a gift has been thoughtfully created. I’m reusing everything from upcycled treat jars to an old toothpaste jar—because why not breathe new life into something old?
Below, you’ll find the recipes for these thoughtful gifts, so you can make them yourself and share a little handmade joy with your loved ones this Christmas.
1. Chocolate chip cookie mix
200g all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
¾ teaspoon salt
100g chocolate chips
100g brown sugar
50g granulated sugar
To make your jar for gifting:
Combine the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a bowl and place the mixture at the bottom of a 1-quart jar. Then add the rest of your ingredients layer by layer until they have reached the top. Seal the lid and attach your recipe on a gift label with instructions.
Recipe instructions to write on gift tag:
“Just add 100g margarine and 1 large egg”
Preheat your oven to 375F
In a bowl, beat your butter or margarine, egg and vanilla essence until soft and creamy
Add your cookie mix to the bowl and mix well
Drop a heaped tablespoon onto a reusable baking mat for each cookie
Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown
Allow to cool and enjoy!
2. Festive Hot Chocolate Jar mix
100g granulated sugar (or coconut sugar for a healthier version)
100g unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
100g grated dark chocolate
Optional:
1 tablespoon mixed spice
To make your jar for gifting:
Add your ingredients a few tablespoons at a time so that they layer in the jar. If adding mixed spice to your mixture, add a teaspoon every few layers to make sure it is evenly distributed. Seal the lid and attach your recipe on a gift label with instructions.
Recipe instructions:
Mix all the ingredients together in the jar when you are ready to use
Add 2-3 heaped teaspoons to a mug
Top with hot milk of your choice
Enjoy!
3. Simmer pot mix
6 dried orange slices
2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon whole cloves
3 whole star anise
1 teaspoon cardamom pods
1 teaspoon allspice
To make your Jar for Gifting:
Add the spice to the bottom of your jar and then layer all of the other ingredients on top. Seal and attach your recipe on a gift label with instructions.
Recipe Instructions:
Add to a large pan and fill halfway with boiling water
Bring to the boil and allow to simmer and fill the room with a warming Christmas fragrance. Do not allow to boil dry!
Store in the refrigerator and use up to 3 times before composting
4. Floral Bath Salts
These floral bath salts are a beautiful way to relax and unwind. The fragrance is uplifting, and the ingredients help to soften your skin and soothe your body.
To make one large jar (approx. 500g):
400 g Epsom salt
50 g baking soda
2 tablespoon lavender flowers
2 tablespoon rose petals
1 g lavender essential oil
1 g geranium essential oil
1 g bergamot essential oil
1 g chamomile essential oil
Method:
1. Mix the Epsom salts and bicarbonate of soda in a bowl and add the essential oils. Then layer all of your ingredients in the jar. Seal the jar and attach your recipe on a gift label with instructions.
Recipe Instructions:
Add 2-3 cups for a deeply relaxing bath
5. Rose infused sugar scrub
This beautiful scrub is made with caster sugar so really gentle + the butters and oils are super moisturising. This recipe is best gifted in small quantities as its shelf life is not as long as the other products and should be stored in the fridge.
To make one small jar (50ml):
20 g coconut oil
10 g sweet almond oil
15 g caster sugar
1 teaspoon ground rose petals
0.5 g geranium essential oil (optional)
0.5 g lavender essential oil (optional)
Method:
1. In a bowl, add the coconut oil and sweet almond oil and gently melt using the *double boiler method until liquid.
2. Place the liquid mixture in the fridge and allow to cool until it begins to solidify. This should take approximately 1 hour.
3. Add the caster sugar and ground rose petals, then whisk until light and fluffy.
4. If including, add the essential oil and return to the fridge for a few minutes to cool.
5. Whisk again for approximately 30 seconds and transfer to a clean, sterile container.
*double boiler is simply placing a bowl over a larger pot of simmering water, which allows for indirect, gentle heat. Place your ingredients into the bowl to gently melt.
Seal the jar and attach your recipe on a gift label with instructions.
Recipe Instructions:
Rub into warm, damp skin in circular motions to smooth and polish your skin. Rinse with warm water.
Store in fridge and use within two weeks.
6. Soothing Bath Melts
These are such gorgeous gifts to make and always well received. The butters and oils in this recipe are rich in vitamins A, D, K and E, which all contribute to overall skin health. Your bath melts are even working for your skin whilst you bathe, and you’ll step out of the bath feeling super nourished.
They would make a beautiful gift too!
Ingredients to make 9 bath melts:
65 g cocoa butter
27 g sweet almond oil
2g rose petals
1 g vitamin E oil
1 g mandarin essential oil (optional)
1 g rosemary essential oil (optional)
Method:
1. Gently melt the cocoa butter and sweet almond oil until it is a liquid consistency using the *double boiler method
2. Take off the heat and place in the refrigerator
3. When the mixture has cooled to below 105°F (40°C), add the rose petals, vitamin E oil, and essential oils if including
4. This should take 10 to 15 minutes to cool
5. Pour into silicone moulds of your choice. I like to use small moulds that are approximately 4 centimetre’s (1½ inches) wide and 1 centimetre (½ inch) deep.
6. Place in the fridge to set
7. Store in an airtight container. These should last for 3 months
8. Add to a jar and attach your recipe on a gift label with instructions.
*double boiler is simply placing a bowl over a larger pot of simmering water, which allows for indirect, gentle heat. Place your ingredients into the bowl to gently melt.
Recipe Instructions:
Drop a bath melt into warm bathwater for a deeply soothing bath.
There’s a lot of joy in making gifts, especially when you can reuse something as beautiful and practical as a glass jar. They are endlessly reusable, 100% recyclable
and give your homemade creations a little extra character. Whether you’re layering cookie mix or crafting bath salts, glass jars make the perfect container. Plus, it feels good to know you’re creating something thoughtful without adding to the pile of holiday waste (our gift to the planet).
Here’s to a season full of creativity, cozy moments, and a little bit of homemade magic!
