Looking for a Recipe for "Gifts from a Jar to Give as Christmas Gifts!!!!

Here's one I liked from Martha Stuart: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/homemade-hot-chocolate

BUT! Then I saw this project for hot chocolate on a stick and thought it looked so very cool that I'm going to do that instead: http://giverslog.com/?p=3290

Ingredients

* 6 1/2 cups powdered milk
* 1 (5 ounce) package non-instant chocolate pudding mix
* 1 cup powdered chocolate drink mix
* 1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
* 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine powdered milk, chocolate pudding mix, chocolate drink mix powder, creamer, confectioners' sugar, and cocoa. Divide the mixture between two 1 quart jars. Seal, and decorate as desired. These can be stored in a dry area for up to 3 months.
2. Attach a tag with the following instructions: Hot Cocoa: Dissolve 1/3 cup cocoa mix in 1 cup boiling water.

Hope this helps! ~ L.

Hey H.,

I use to do this for my children's teachers too--the kids are older now (younger two are 18 and 15) but they still like to give this gift.

For my hot chocolate jars, I used the layering technique. It was real pretty and made the receiver "oooh" and "aaaaahhh" when it was given to them.

Here's the receipe that I've used and have gotten GREAT reviews--thank you cards sent from teachers to my kids during their Christmas break--so you know that it MUST have made an impression!! I got this receipe from tipnut.com

You may alter this any way you like...
Just remember to LAYER the ingredients---doesn't matter what order--you are just wanting there to be a contrast of colors.

Homemade Spiced Mocha Mix
Ingredients:

1 cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup non-dairy powdered creamer
1/4 cup instant coffee
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Directions:
Layer in clear jar and give these directions to receiver:

Mix all ingredients together. Use approximately 1/4 cup mix per 1 cup boiling/hot water.

S. J./Millbrook, AL

I used a hot chocolate but it wasn't in a jar. I got the frosting piping bags and filled with hot cocoa(found in the cake department). I put a ziplock baggie with mini marshmallows on top of that and a few mini chocolate chips on top of that. It makes it look like an ice cream cone. I twisty tied the top and put a touch of ribbon around it. I attached a note that told how to make a cup of the stuff at a time. I bought the large bulk can of hot chocolate, 1 bag of marshmallows, 1 package of piping bags, and used chocolate chips I already had. This was fairly inexpensive and made 12 gifts. I hope this helps. God bless.

You really got a lot of neat ideas from other responders. Just to throw in another idea... I always go to allrecipes.com. They have so many great ideas for recipes and people can rate the recipe and give useful advise. I've noticed several jar gifts on there already for cookies and other things. Good luck H., I'm sure you'll find the perfect gifts!

I have a recipe that you put in layers in a pint sized Mason jar. You fill the jar in the order of the ingredients.

1/8 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 cup powdered milk, 1/8 cup malted milk powder, 1/4 cup cocoa, pinch of salt, 3/4 cup powdered coffee creamer, 1/3 cup Domino's Brownulated sugar (it pours easily) Using a funnel add each ingrediant to the jar. Tap the jar and use a wooded spoon to pack them in layers as you add each ingredient. Add a card that says - To prepare: Thoroughly mix the contents of the jar. And add 3 heaping teaspoons mix to 3/4 cup boiling water.

Have fun making your jars!!

Hot Chocolate Mix

32 oz Hersheys mix (powdered mix for chocolate milk)

10 C. Powdered milk (25.6 oz)

1 lb. Powdered sugar

1 11 oz. jar coffee creamer.

mix and use 1/3 C. mixture to 1 C. hot water.

We use to put it all in double-bagged brown grocery bags, fold over the top, and shake it like crazy to get it mixed.

H.,
I don't know of any hot chocolate recipies right off, but I would reccommend checking out allrecipies.com. They usually have recipies for everything under the sun. They may even have some other ideas that you like for the jar gifts better than hot chocolate. I hope this helps!
S.