cookies for christmas??

one of the things i have done in the past for gifts...circa last minute...is cookies in a jar!

fun and easy to make, plus who doesn't love the cute jar and fresh cookies as a gift, right??? here's a few of our fam fav's...right off of allrecipes.com {click the cookie title for the direct linky to the recipe}

{{raisin crunch cookie mix in a jar}}

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup raisins

1 1/4 cups flaked coconut

1 cup cornflakes cereal, crumbled

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

mixed with: 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon baking powder

Directions:

Layer the ingredients into a 1 quart canning jar in the order they are listed. Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredients. it will be a tight fit.

Attach a label with the following instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Empty the contents of the jar into a large bowl and use your hands to blend thoroughly.

Stir in 1/2 cup butter, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix until completely blended. You may need to use your hands. Roll dough into walnut sized balls and place them 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

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{{christmas cookies in a jar}}

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup quick-cooking oats

1 cup orange flavored dried cranberries

1 cup vanilla or white chips

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a 1-qt. glass jar, layer the sugar and brown sugar, packing well between each layer. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; spoon into jar. Top with oats, cranberries and chips. Cover and store in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

then add this note to each jar...

To prepare cookies: Pour cookie mix into a large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Beat in butter, egg and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Drop by the tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

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{{julia's best ever chocolate chip jar cookies}}

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup white sugar

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Directions:

Combine the flour, baking soda, white sugar, and the chocolate chips. Place 1/2 of the mixture in a clean quart sized glass jar, and pack firmly. Place the brown sugar on top, again packing firmly. Place the remaining flour mixture on top. Cover with a lid.

Attach an index card with the following directions:

Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In separate bowl combine 3/4 cup of butter, 1 1/2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture. Drop by tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

have fun making those gifts!

danyele @ a thorn among roses

cute and easy gifts

i'm not sure how it happened, but the last week of school is upon me and i have no teacher gifts ready...and not a lot of money to spend either.

my friend, amy, at living locurto, designs all kinds of fun stuff, but here's a fab last minute printable pack for all your quick store bought or handmade goodies!

how cute are they????

in this pack you get a sandwich bag label, a small gift bag, circle tags, and small gift tags. and all for $6...and you can use your own standard sealing bags and dice them up!

want more information and to see the whole pack? head on over to living locurto and check it out!
danyele @ a thorn among roses

from the heart valentine

i am not a big fan of valentine's day...because i want my hubs to love me like i deserve all year long. {i'm a love and cherish snob...so shoot me}. so the only way we do any "gifting" around these parts is in the homemade, and straight from the heart departments.

this year, i made hubs a love box that he can put on or in his desk at work. it's a little glimpse of my love for him...and it's a total cost of $1.25...but straight from the heart.

you need a container of some sort.

{i found the R container in the dollar spot at michael's but you can use anything you already have or re-purpose a gift box.}

paper and pen of choice

ribbon or twine

i used a piece of 12x12 scrapbook paper i had on hand {i have way too much on hand btw} and just started writing down in columns all the reasons i love hubs. some are funny, some are sweet, some are a little saucy, but all of them are heart felt.

after i was done filling up the paper, i cut each out and then folded it in half.

i wrote a little note on the lid...

and added the ribbon for presentation.

and viola...a super cute and easy valentine for hubs.

wanna see more of me and my fam...head on over to a thorn among roses.