diy gift idea hot cocoa mix in a jar

Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar

I love making homemade gifts during the holidays. Not only is it more personal than something store-bought, but it’s a budget saver as well.  One of my favorite quickie gifts to make is hot cocoa mix.  With mason jars being all the rage, this gift in a jar is the perfect neighbor or teacher gift for the holidays!

Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar Supplies:

  • 4 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 4 tbsp sugar
  • 8 tbsp powdered milk
  • 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
  • 16 oz pint sized mason jar (I used a wide mouth jar)
  • sandwich bag
  • scrap fabric
  • ribbon

homemade cocoa mix ingredients

Combine powdered milk, sugar, and cocoa mix in a large bowl until well blended. Pour mix into a mason jar. If necessary, wipe down the inside of the jar to remove any mix residue on the top half of the jar.

cocoa gift in jar

Add marshmallows and chocolate chips to the sandwich bag.  Squeeze all excess air out of the bag and twist to form a “ball” of marshmallows.

packaging cocoa jar gift

Carefully place the marshmallow bag on top of the cocoa mixture with the excess plastic at the top so the lid will conceal it.  Be sure to add your bag slowly so that you don’t cause the cocoa mix to spill.

mason jar topper diy

Cover the mason jar top with fabric. It’s a fast and easy way to make the packaging look a little more “fancy!” Simply cut a piece of scrap fabric slightly larger than your top.

making mason jar topper

Place the fabric and top on the jar and use the canning ring to secure it in place.  Tie a ribbon around the top to finish it off! Gift with the instructions to add 3 tbsp to 8oz of hot water.

how to make hot cocoa in jar

Do you like to make homemade gifts as well? What are your favorite DIY gifts to make or receive?

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Last minute DIY gift idea: hot cocoa in a jar! | Pretty Handy Girl

peanut butter pumpkin dip recipe

Hey there, it’s Melissa from The Happier Homemaker back again and I have something I think you’re going to love this month. I love to cook and I especially love creating fun new recipes in the fall-everything about autumn is so inspiring!

It seems that when September rolls around I start trying to add pumpkin to everything-like my Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte or  Pumpkin Pie Pancakes!  This tasty fruit dip is the perfect combination of pumpkin flavor with classic peanut butter satisfaction. Serve this peanut butter pumpkin dip with sliced fruit, cinnamon sugar chips, or spread on a muffin or toast for a perfect fall treat.

Ingredients: Read more

Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup | Pretty Handy Girl

Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup | Pretty Handy Girl

Did you know that Costco has chicken burgers that taste really good in soup? You read that right! Amylu Chicken Burgers are sold in Costco and they are super yummy and easy to cut up and throw into this hearty and healthy soup.

Last fall, I got a killer cold. When I’m sick I crave Chicken Noodle Soup. Raise your hand if you grew up on Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup? It was the soup my Mom gave me anytime I was ill. As an adult, I usually make my own so I can add more veggies and control the sodium. But, I still love those little squares of processed chicken in the Campbell’s version. (Am I a freak?!)

Anyway, I hadn’t been to the grocery store in a while and our fridge was almost empty. Luckily I had just enough ingredients to throw together in a pot and make this yummy Gluten Free Chicken Noodle Soup. My good friend gave me two Amylu burgers to try (because buying a Costco quantity of something you’ve never tried before is brave) and they were still sitting in the fridge. I was hesitant to try them, but in a pinch I had to use what I had on hand to make my chicken noodle soup.

I was overwhelmingly ecstatic by the results! The chicken burgers were perfectly seasoned for the soup. But, best of all, it had the same texture as those little squares in the Campbell’s version! I vowed to write down the recipe and share it with you, so here it is: Read more

Best Corn Salsa Recipe | Pretty Handy Girl

Best Corn Salsa Recipe | Pretty Handy Girl

Y’all, I have THE BEST Corn Salsa Recipe ever! It is amazing as a side dish, especially with Spice-rubbed salmon. But, it’s also delicious for dipping chips into. Serve this at your next picnic and watch it disappear.

Ingredients: Read more

Spice-Rubbed Salmon Recipe | Pretty Handy Girl

Spice-Rubbed Salmon Recipe | Pretty Handy Girl

Summertime is here and I’ve been in the mood for our favorite salmon recipe! Spice-Rubbed Salmon is the perfect meal for a hot summer evening. The spices cook to a sweet and spicy crust over deliciously flaky and healthy salmon.

Normally, I’d throw the fish on the grill, but it seems like every night this week our grilling weather has been dampened by a big fat booming thunderstorm. After letting the fish marinade for several hours, I wasn’t about to scrap our dinner plans. Instead I threw the fish in the oven. I know…I know, but cooking fish stinks up the whole house. As a brand ambassador for Filtrete, I want to introduce you to the Filtrete Odor Reduction Filter with activated carbon:

odor-reduction-filter

Feel free to cook fish indoors all month long! This baby helps remove the fish odors so the bad smell doesn’t keep circulating through your home .. It also works remarkably well on reducing  the smell of wet dog…{ahem} certain Handy Dog who likes to get into the creek!

But enough about odors, get ready to rock your tastebuds with this recipe. It’s seriously the best Spice-Rubbed Salmon I’ve ever had!

Ingredients: Read more