How would you like to avoid the shopping mall for this Christmas season? Giving unique food gifts this holiday season can be a fun creative outlet. Unique food gifts can range from a secret family recipe to roasted nuts, to a crowd-pleasing seasoning mix. Homemade medleys are always appreciated, and food gifts don’t only have to be baked goods!
Along with great fun, holidays can be a stressful time of year as well. The days are shorter and yet our to-do lists continue to grow. The last thing on our minds will be trekking to a crowded mall to shop for gifts. So why not stay home and make healthy DIY jars this year! In addition to being a fun afternoon to assemble, it also gives you a break from screens and crowds, and being creative can serve as a small self-care activity for yourself. The holidays can also be an expensive time for most people, and healthy DIY jars are a great way to cut costs.
Find the Perfect Healthy DIY Jar Gift for Your Loved Ones
Healthy DIY Jar for the Breakfast Lover
Photo credit Katie Morford MS RD
Cranberry Ginger Baked Oatmeal by Katie Morford MS RD on Mom’s Kitchen Handbook
This healthy DIY jar only requires a few handfuls of ingredients, spices and a bow on top! The lucky recipient of this jar will get to transform the ingredients into a warm wintery breakfast. Just add milk, eggs and a bake in the oven! People who eat breakfast regularly tend have better energy, to be more mindful of their food throughout the day,
Healthy DIY Jar for the Baker
Photo credit Kaitlin Eckstein
Pumpkin Cranberry Bread by Kaitlin Eckstein MPH RD LD from Rebecca Bitzer & Associates
Pumpkin season isn’t over just yet. Pumpkin Cranberry Bread makes for a perfect sweet treat, or slather some almond butter on a slice for breakfast on the run.
Photo credit Klara Knezevic RD LD CLT
Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies by Klara Knezevic RD LD CLT from Rebecca Bitzer & Associates
Forget the box mix, these brownies are delicious and make the perfect healthy DIY jar gift for the gluten-free chocolate lover in your life. Simply layer the following ingredients into a 1-quart mason jar. This recipe makes about 4, 1-quart mason jars.
For each jar, layer 1 cup + 2 tbsp gluten-free all purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 3/4 tsp salt, 2/3 cups brown sugar, 2/3 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa, and 1 cup of chocolate chips. When it’s time to bake, in a mixing bowl add 2 eggs, 1/4 cup water, 2/3 cup oil and 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix until just combined. Bake at 350 F for 35-40 minutes!
Healthy DIY Jar for the Home-Chef
Photo credit Kristin Jenkins
Salt-Free Seasoning Blends by Klara Knezevic RD LD CLT from Rebecca Bitzer & Associates
These salt-free seasonings are the perfect gift to give the home-chef in your family! Each of these blends offer fantastic flavor, from ranch seasoning to taco night.
Healthy DIY Jar for the Foodie
Photo credit Stephanie McKercher RDN
Blackberry Lemon & Rosemary Jam by Stephanie McKercher RDN on Grateful Grazer
Spread this delectable creation on toast, swirl it into oatmeal, or top a short bread cookie with this homemade jam! The different flavors layer together perfectly. It’s the perfect condiment to spice up a meal or snack. Try making this healthy DIY jar for the foodie in your life!
Healthy DIY Jar for the Pumpkin Lover
Photo credit Kaitlin Eckstein
Pumpkin Pie Bites by Kaitlin Eckstein MPH RD LD from Rebecca Bitzer & Associates
These delectable pumpkin pie bites are balanced with fiber and heart-healthy fats so a diabetes-friendly treat! These festive bites are the perfect gift for your family, friends, and co-workers! Kaitlin uses dates for her base for these pumpkin pie bites, which are a good source of calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc!
Photo credit Jennifer Hunt RDN
Pumpkin Butter by Jennifer Hunt RDN on Healthy Inspiration
Who says pumpkin stops with pumpkin spice seasoning? Gifting this homemade pumpkin butter can deliver a seasonal taste, but also all the vitamin E, magnesium, potassium, and B-vitamins that pumpkin has to offer! This healthy DIY jar is perfect for your loved one who can’t quite let go of Fall!
Healthy DIY Jar for the Simple Lover
Photo credit Heidi, The Healthy RD
Homemade Apple Sauce by Heidi on The Healthy RD.
We all have that family member who loves things simple! They don’t like a big fuss, especially with the food that they eat. These healthy DIY jars are perfect for them. The familiar flavor of apples and cinnamon will be comforting and craze-worthy, and who doesn’t love a hearty bean soup for chilly weeknights!
Photo credit Kaitlin Eckstein
Vegetarian 5-Bean Soup by Klara Knezevic RD LD CLT from Rebecca Bitzer & Associates
In each mason jar, layer 2/3 cup pinto beans, peas, northern beans, black beans, kidney beans. Easy peasy! We recommend packaging the seasoning blends in a separate zip lock bag, and then placing the bag in the mason jar. For the seasoning, combine paprika, dry mustard, sea salt, dried onion flakes, garlic powder, oregano, rosemary, bay leaf, and a bouillon cube. When it’s time for your giftee to cook, remove spice pack from mason jar and rinse beans and place in a large stock pot. Add water until beans are covered by 1 inch of water. Bring to boil over high heat, and let boil for 1 minute. Cover and let soak for 1 hour. Return beans to stock pot, add spice packet, tomatoes and water. Bring to boil over high heat, reduce to simmer, and cook for 1 1/2-2 hours. Cook until beans are very tender and soup is very thick.
Healthy DIY Jar for the Nut Lover
Photo credit Jennifer Hunt RDN
Diabetes-Friendly Sweet and Spicy Almonds by Jennifer Hunt RDN on Healthy Inspiration
Rosemary, Maple, and Cayenne Mixed Nuts by Stephanie Van’t Zelfden RDN on Hungry Nutrition
Chia Spiced Walnuts by Judy Barbe on LiveBest
The Perfect Jar for your Healthy DIY Jar Gifts
The next step is to find a jar that can fit your goodies! Try out Michaels for differing size jars with wide mouths so you can fit everything you need to make this unique gift. If you are making a bunch to give out to teachers, family members or coworkers check out Target or Walmart to purchase jars in bulk.
Photo credit Klare Knezevic RD LD CLT
Finally, sign and address your gift jar
The last step is to make up a decorative tag in order to explain how to best use your gift.
Check out how to make these healthy DIY jars on our Facebook Live episode with Registered Dietitians Klara and Kaitlin.
Here is the recap of our live cooking video of making low sodium seasoning jars.
Looking for more ideas of how to take care of yourself this holiday season? Reach out to us at 301-474-2499 or at admin@rbitzer.com to set up an appointment with on of our Registered Dietitians!
An award winning recipe developer, Dietitian Kaitlin’s mission is to empower others to reach their health goals by encouraging them to get back into the kitchen. Co-author of Nourished: 10 Ingredients to Happy, Healthy Eating and Cooking with Diabetes.
