That is usually the time when I scream and realize that I only have 30 more crafting days to create all my homemade goodies for the year.  Having that list prepared in January and tucked safely away in my ideas cupboard, makes that time of year so much easier and much less stressful.

So, if you are like me and want a few crafts to tuck away to bring out next Christmas or even throughout the year, then you may want to tuck this craft away.  I find that this is an excellent way to create wonderfully home-baked goods without having to do any of the baking.  It can be a great craft to do with kids but it can also be an excellent craft and gift to do on your own.

What you need:

• Jars:  You can use just about any type of jar you want.  I like to use the jars with the hinged lid but regular mason jars are perfectly fine.
• Decorations:  This can range from ribbon to silk flowers.  If you have a child helping make the jars, why not allow him to draw a picture and then tape it to the front of the jar.  The key is to decorate them the way that you want to.  The jars can be beautiful but a lot of the “wow” in this craft is how you fill the jar.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of flour
• 3/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of white sugar
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1/2 tsp of baking soda
• 1 to 2 cups of M & M’s (This really depends on how chocolaty that you want your cookies to be.  I prefer to go with the 1 cup but I know my kids prefer having 2 cups so we often compromise at 1 and a half cups.)

Directions:

1. Before you do anything else, make sure that you thoroughly wash the jars.  Do not fill them until they are completely dry though.
2. While you are waiting for the cookies to dry, why not start preparing the decorative elements.  If your child will be providing the art, simply sit her down with markers and paper and let her create.  If you are decorating, use a hot glue gun to attach the various element.  For things that need to go on the lid, I would recommend waiting until the jar is filled and closed.
3. Now that you have your jar ready and waiting, it is time to start layering the jar.  To do this, it is important to do this as follows to create a layered look:

• 1 cup of flour with the baking soda and salt on the bottom
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of white sugar
• Half of the M&M’s
• 1/4 cup of the brown sugar
• 1 cup of flour
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• Remaining M&M’s

When the jars are filled, you can close them and finish the last little details. The last thing that you will want to do is print off a label that finishes the recipe. So in this case, the label should say:

“Cookies in a Jar:

To finish off this wonderful recipe, you will need 1 egg, 3/4 cups of butter and 1 tsp of vanilla.  Combine all the ingredients together, including the ones found in this jar.  Once it is thoroughly mixed, drop small balls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cookies are golden.”

All the best,

Sirena Van Schaik

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