| Time is money, and right now you don't have | | | | dress that's headed for the rag bag.To turn your |
| either the time or the money to answer the call | | | | favorite cookie recipe into "Gifts in a Jar," just |
| of the shopping mall at Christmas. The only way | | | | make sure the total of dry ingredients is 1 quart |
| you can show your friends love, peace on earth, | | | | (1 l) or less. You may have to cut your current |
| goodwill towards men is by shopping at Macy's, so | | | | recipe by half or one third to get the correct |
| you think.It's a safe bet that the Three Kings | | | | amount of dry ingredients but it will work. |
| didn't buy the gold, | | | | Remember to adjust the amounts of wet |
| frankincense and myrrh given to Jesus Christ in | | | | ingredients needed when writing out your |
| the manger from | | | | directions to place on the jar. Or, rather than |
| Macy's or Pottery Barn.This year you, too, can | | | | cutting your recipe, you can use the larger |
| give frankincense and myrrh of the tasty | | | | 2-quart (2 l) mason jars, and if there is any space |
| kind. The best part is, the ingredients come from | | | | left at the top of the jar, pack it tightly with |
| your neighborhood grocery store or even your | | | | tissue paper or add a few extra raisins and a |
| own kitchen. The Three Kings used ornate | | | | sprinkle of oatmeal--this adds pizzazz!Your |
| containers, but you can make do with an | | | | thoughtful, personal gift will delight everyone on |
| inexpensive 1-quart mason | | | | your list |
| jar to hold your "sand art" cookies, or "Gifts in a | | | | and save you money when you make "Gifts in a |
| Jar."What do you need to make "Gifts in a Jar"? | | | | Jar." Besides, you'll no doubt get invited to eat the |
| Let's take, for example, the ingredients for | | | | cookies---when was the last time a sweater from |
| chocolate chip cookies: flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, | | | | Macy's gave you that kind of sweet |
| salt and baking soda, granulated sugar, brown | | | | rewards?Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies in a Jar1 |
| sugar, oatmeal and raisins. All of these are | | | | cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour |
| available for under $5 at your local grocery store. | | | | 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cinnamon |
| If you buy in bulk, you'll save more time and | | | | 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) ground nutmeg |
| money---just make sure to create your "Gifts in | | | | 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda |
| a Jar" as soon as possible before you plan on | | | | 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) salt |
| giving them. The ingredients have a shelf life of 3 | | | | 1/2 cup (125 ml) granulated sugar |
| months in most cases, so use fresh | | | | 3/4 cup (175 ml) dark brown sugar, firmly |
| ingredients.Layer the dry ingredients in the order | | | | packed |
| listed above, alternating | | | | 2 cups (500 ml) quick cooking oatmeal |
| light and dark-colored ingredients for that "art" | | | | 3/4 cup (175 ml) raisinsSift together flour, ground |
| effect. Your | | | | cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking soda and salt, |
| recipient supplies the moist ingredients, and you | | | | then place in the bottom of a 1-quart (1 l) glass |
| can attach your | | | | mason jar. Tamp down the flour mixture so it is |
| favorite recipe or the Oatmeal Raisin Spice | | | | packed in firmly. Add the rest of the ingredients in |
| Cookies in a Jar recipe, printed on fancy paper | | | | the order given, making sure to pack down each |
| (such as the kind you'd find inexpensively at | | | | layer firmly before adding the |
| Kinko's) with a decorative font from your | | | | next. Screw the lid on the jar. Attach the |
| computer, and tied to the jar with pretty ribbon | | | | following directions:Oatmeal Raisin Spice |
| or raffia (inexpensive at craft and sewing shops). | | | | CookiesNote: Store this jar in a cool, dark place |
| Cover the top of the jar with a circle of pretty | | | | for up to 3 months before using. |
| fabric---maybe from a tablecloth, curtains or a | | | | |