Gift in a Jar – Mulling Spices for Hot Apple Cider
When making your holiday shopping list, don’t forget the spices! Not just for baking or your holiday dishes, spices make great gifts in a jar. This mulled apple cider recipe is perfect for the holiday season, chilly autumn days, or as a warm treat for any occasion. It’s a simple yet heartfelt way to show someone you care.
Consumable gifts are a great low waste options any time of the year. Who doesn’t like food?! Or a free jar? Over the years I have done baking mixes, soups, coffee, tea blends, and infused olive oils. Most ingredients can be sourced in bulk or even grown in your outdoor space. Gifts in jars are inexpensive, but do take time. I think that is why I like them so much – they are made with intention and given with love. Plus, the jar can be reused or repurposed, promoting sustainable practices and reducing waste!
Some Tips For Giving a Gift in a Jar
- Use a wide mouth jar! Sometimes you need to get your fist or a pestle in there and smush stuff down to make it all fit.
- Check your math. Add up the dry ingredients in your recipe and choose your jar size accordingly.
- Check your math again! Scale up the dry goods you need based on the number of jars you are making. Relive the middle school trauma of multiplying fractions. This way you don’t run out of sugar or end up with 5 extra pounds of oats.
- Head to the bulk section. I like to get ingredients for this kind of project in jars because I can accurately gauge the amount. I got everything I needed for this project at my local bulk store, including the jar!
- Set up an assembly line, one ingredient at a time for all the jars. A jar funnel is your special helper!
- You can jazz up the lid with scrap fabric, craft paper, leftover yarn, etc.
- Attach a tag with baking/cooking/using instructions. (I typically never put who it’s from on the tag. It might not be the recipient’s jam, but they are free to regift it that way if they like.)
Mulling Spices for Hot Apple Cider
Mulled apple cider is a family favourite! Put together bulk spices and dried fruits in a jar as a small gift for a friend, neighbour, teacher, or colleague. You’ll want to save this recipe!
In a jam jar combine:
- 5-8 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tbsp whole allspice
- 1-2 whole nutmeg
- 10-15 cloves
- 2-3 star anise
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Attach a tag with these directions:
- Bring 1L of apple cider and mulling spices to boil over medium heat.
- Simmer for 1 hour on low heat.
- Serve warm in a cute mug with a cookie or two!
Gift giving doesn’t have to be complicated or wasteful. With this delightful gift in a jar, you can spread warmth and cheer this season. Simply gather your ingredients, get creative with your trimmings, and share the warmth of mulled apple cider with those you cherish!
