​Christmas recipes in Jars

Christmas is just around the corner! So why not have some fun making Christmas recipes in glass jars for all of those last-minute thank-you gifts, and to give the kids something to do during the holidays?

Christmas recipes in jars are such a great option because they only need glass jam jars for presentation and most of us tend to have at least a few around the home that can be recycled. And of course, you'll find a huge range in stock at Wares of Knutsford too; perfect if you're planning ahead for the busy holiday season or considering a kitchen storage upgrade for the new year.

Here are some of our favourite Christmas recipes in glass jars, which are easy to make, affordable and great for the whole family to have fun with.

Mulled wine kit

Nothing says Christmas like mulled wine, and you can use small glass jars to store a homemade combination of mulled wine spices, ready to warm in a pan with a bottle of red wine, or a non-alcoholic equivalent. Simply combine cinnamon sticks, star anise, nutmeg, a peppercorn or two and a handful of cloves in small glass jam jars and secure them with the lid to protect the spices. Place in a wicker basket with your chosen bottle of the good stuff, and why not add a traditional cinnamon studded orange decorated with red ribbon too? These smell amazing and are such a lovely gift. Here's a tutorial: https://www.spicemountain.co.uk/recipe/pomander-2/#:~:text=Mix%20the%20orris%20root%20powder,An%20airing%20cupboard%20is%20ideal.

You can find wicker baskets for sale at Wares of Knutsford. These are very popular with our customers who like to make their own gifts, and they look beautiful too!

Christmas M&M cookie jars

This gorgeous little Christmas recipe makes the perfect gift for budding bakers. You stack up your ingredients, finish with a colourful layer of festive M&Ms and add your chosen printable to make a decorative label. These are quick and easy to put together with a few glass jam jars, ribbons and labels, and they're fun and unique gifts too: https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/mason-jar-gift-mm-christmas-cookies-free-printable/.

Preserved chestnuts in a jar

Preserves always look beautiful, and these chestnuts, preserved in whisky no less, are a little different. You'll have fun preparing these, and they will intrigue guests as a stable for the winter pantry. Check out this recipe: https://www.martainthejar.com/gifts/how-to-preserve-chestnut-homemade-gift/.

Last minute mincemeat

If you're organised, you may have made your mincemeat weeks or months in advance, but you can also create a truly delicious mincemeat in just a few minutes and then allow it to keep flavouring over the days before Christmas. This quick recipe uses dried fruit, spices and sugar, with brandy, almonds and cooking apples to make a wonderfully fragrant mincemeat that will be welcomed by everyone for Christmas. Why not add some recipe suggestions? https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/10-minute-mincemeat.

Sourdough Starter Kit

If you have a baker as a friend, then why not gift them a sourdough starter kit in glass jars? Again, these are quirky gifts that are also useful. If you already have a successful sourdough starter, you could even provide a serving of it in a small glass jar and add instructions on how to feed it and keep it alive. Some experienced bakers keep their starters going for years, and they develop an almost legendary quality of flavour, taste and health benefits. Again, this would make a lovely anchor for a themed gift, in a wicker basket with a sourdough inspiration book and some baking essentials: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/sourdough-starter-kit.

Christmas Chocolate Chip granola

If you can't eat chocolate chip granola at Christmas, then when can you? This is a great project for glass jars because you can customise the ingredients to suit the recipient. Got a nut lover? Add extra. White chocolate fan? Go for white chocolate chips instead of milk. Load up your glass jars and prepare to delight a lucky someone with this delectable treat. Use a ribbon to tie a cute spoon to the jar and invite your recipient to add milk and go! Here's a great recipe: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/edible-christmas-gifts-in-jars/.

Creative decorating with glass jam jars

Remember that you can do so much to decorate your Christmas recipe and jam jar projects, simply with fabric, ribbon, Sharpie pens (or equivalents) and stickers. Kids will love making little handmade gifts using small glass jars and they can really go to town on their decorative touches and labels. If you choose non-metallic card labels too, you'll help your recycling efforts. After all, glass jars are already kind to the environment so you're choosing a gift that is eco-friendly as well as thoughtfully made.

We'll be shipping orders from Wares of Knutsford for the next few days and we're busier than ever, especially as our customers love to stock up for those last-minute projects! Enjoy great prices on a huge range of glass bottles and jars, low cost and fast delivery and superb service from the team at Wares of Knutsford. And yes, we're just as excited about Christmas as our customers are!