In continuation with our “frugal holiday” theme, this crafty gift idea comes from DTBD reader Jen in  Los Angeles.  Although I don’t  have the best memory, I never forget a great gift.  Last year for the holidays Jen gave me a jar with all the ingredients to make a super delicious batch of hot chocolate.  It was half art, half culinary heaven.

It was layers of:

cocoa powder
powdered sugar
powdered milk
marshmallows
and chocolate flakes

It looked kinda like those sand art bottles you made in grade school.   Although I had seen these types of gifts in stores before, it never crossed my mind to make them at home.  All I had to do was shake my gift jar up, add water and put it in a pot.  GENIUS!  I made the best hot chocolate ever!

In the same vein, here are other great “gifts in a bottle” concoctions.  Try adding a handwritten note of why you love the dish so much to make it extra special.

-Homemade chicken noodle soup in a jar – mmm, toasty!
-Brownies in a jar – with whatever little extras you want to add – real cute!
-Mac and cheese in a jar – oohhhhh!

Remember, use dry ingredients!  Let them know on the handwritten label if they need to add eggs, butter, etc.

Please share any cool recipe ideas you might have in the comments section, and accompanying pics would be hella fun!  It’s starting to look like a frugal holiday season!