Strictly speaking, this post would have been much more useful before the holiday season. But fortunately, you can swap out the color of the M&Ms to make this gift appropriate for any season.
Start with a 1 quart jar. I used a standard Mason jar, but you could definitely have some fun with all the different types of jars out there. As long as it’s a quart, you’re good to go. Layer the ingredients in this order, making sure to pack them down nice and tight. I used the blunt end of a vegetable peeler. You’ll be surprised by how compactly you have to pack everything in (especially the flour!). On my first attempt, I wasn’t able to get any pecans into the jar.
1-1/3 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup M&Ms
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3-1/2 cup pecans (I just put as many as I can fit in the top of the jar once all the other ingredients are in)
Add a cute ribbon and you’ve got yourself a gift. Easy, right? And a fun project while watching your favorite Christmas movie. Or bad reality TV. Whatever you prefer.
I LOVE the creativity of this gift. The jar that you gave me is still sitting on the countertop because it is SO DARN CUTE. But, I know that by the end of the week I will NEED to make this batch of cookies because the ingredients look delicious.
So, I was thinking that this type of gift would work for any occasion. For a new mom with a little baby, this gift could include candies and ribbon that are the color appropriate to the gender of the baby – pink for baby girl and blue for baby boy. Or a shower gift for your bridesmaids with colors specific to the wedding colors.
Very cool idea…..