Making Christmas Blessings Snack Mix Gift Jars

photo by linnybinnypix
Guest blogger Terra Hangen, coauthor of the book, Scrapbook Of Christmas Firsts: Stories To Warm Your Heart And Tips To Simplify Your Holiday, will be providing ideas for us as families to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. You'll find her articles here each Tuesday through Christmas week. I encourage you to buy her heartwarming book through amazon.com, an act which will help support the TGMT ministry.

The holidays are a time to emphasize with your children how much joy is in giving. Your kiddos will have fun making and sampling this Christmas snack gift. Karen Robbins includes her family’s recipe for this in our book, and I enclose my own recipe here.

Save glass pint jars and lids throughout the year or buy a set of canning jars. Make Christmas Blessings Snack Mix, which requires no cooking, and is ideal to give to teachers, neighbors and friends. This is a gift that looks pretty in addition to being tasty.

Each pint jar will hold two cups, so buy ingredients according to the number of jars you want to give away.

• Red and green M&Ms will form one layer.
• Yogurt covered peanuts or raisins another layer, which creates a contrasting white frostiness.
• Craisins have a dark red color and can be a layer.
• Small pretzels, which look like arms folded in prayer.
• Honey roasted peanuts, or raw almonds, or any favorite nuts.
• Honey Nut Cheerios or Bugles.

This kitchen activity includes lessons in hygiene (hand washing), measuring, pouring and creating the layers, and decorating the jars.

Before your children fill the jars, write an instruction on a self stick label that says, “Empty into bowl, mix and enjoy.” Decorate the lids with Christmas stickers, ribbons, and jingle bells.

While they are creating these gift jars, ask your children if they can think of anyone who might be lonely or sad this Christmas who would like to receive this gift. Encourage them to hand deliver this gift, which is doubly appreciated by people who are not close friends, but going through difficult times.

For Karen’s gift jar recipe, and for many cookie recipes, see our book A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts and visit our blog http://scrapbookofchristmasfirsts.blogspot.com

Wouldn't you agree that the ideas Terra presents from A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts really help make Christmas a Christ-centered holiday (like it's supposed to be)? Purchase your copy through my Amazon link. Purchase several copies as gifts!


Related Articles:
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Christmas King Cake
20 Ways To Celebrate Your Child's Baptism