Name: DIY Christmas Cookie Mix in a Jar
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; ¾ teaspoon baking soda; ¾ teaspoon salt; ½ cup packed brown sugar; ½ cup white sugar; 1 ½ cups rolled oats; 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips; 1 cup holiday-colored M&Ms (red & green look festive, but you can swap for other colors)

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There’s something magical about Christmas gifts that come straight from the heart and even better when they’re homemade but stress-free. This DIY Christmas cookie mix in a Jar checks all the boxes. It’s cute, cozy, easy to whip up, and makes the perfect holiday present for teachers, neighbors, coworkers, friends, or even to sell at a Christmas market. You’re essentially gifting a shortcut to warm, gooey cookies fresh from the oven and let’s be honest, who wouldn’t love that?

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What You’ll Need

To create these beautiful layered cookie jars, gather:

Quart-size mason jars with lids
Funnel (for clean layers)
Festive fabric squares ribbon, or twine
Holiday gift tags (handwritten or printable)

Dry ingredients for each jar:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
1 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup holiday-colored M&Ms (red & green look festive, but you can swap for other colors)

How to Assemble

Wash and thoroughly dry jars to avoid moisture.
Layer ingredients in this order: flour (mixed with baking soda + salt), oats, brown sugar, white sugar, chocolate chips, and finally M&Ms.
Use the back of a spoon to gently press each layer so it sits snugly.
Seal tightly with a lid.
Decorate with ribbon, twine, or a small fabric square over the lid.
Attach your tag with baking instructions (see below).

Baking Tag Instructions

On your gift tag, write clear legible something like:

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, cream together ¾ cup softened butter, 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add the contents of the jar and stir until combined. Drop spoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes. Cool slightly and enjoy!

Gifting Ideas

These jars shine in every kind of holiday setting:

Teachers & Coworkers: Wrap with festive ribbon and slip in a candy cane for a finishing touch.
Family & Friends: Tuck them into gift baskets with cocoa packets or holiday teas.
Craft Fairs & Etsy Shops: Batch out jars in bulk and stick to a theme red/green candies for Christmas, silver/gold sprinkles for an elegant vibe. Add custom labels with your name or shop logo for a professional look.

Selling Tips for Markets

If you’re turning this into a holiday side hustle:

Presentation matters: Use crates, baskets, fairy lights, and greenery to make your display cozy and inviting.
Bundle Deals: Offer 3 jars for $25 or 2 for $18 to encourage multiple sales.
Gift-Ready Appeal: Highlight that these are ready to give with tags and bows already done.

christmas peppermint cookie mix in a jar — **Get the Full Instructions and Recipe Here**

Variations to Try

One of the joys of making cookie mix jars is how customizable they are. With just a few swaps, you can create jars that fit any holiday, theme, or personal taste. Here are some fun variations:

Peppermint Twist: Replace M&Ms with crushed peppermint candies for a wintry, refreshing flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
Birthday Sprinkle Fun: Use colorful sprinkles instead of candies to make the mix perfect for birthdays or kids’ parties.
Easter Sweetness: Swap in pastel M&Ms or candy-coated chocolates for a springtime gift.
Autumn Harvest: Add dried cranberries and white chocolate chips for a cozy fall flavor.
Nutty Crunch: Stir in chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for a little extra texture.

Storage and Shelf Life

The beauty of cookie mix jars is that they’re just as practical as they are pretty. If sealed tightly, these jars can last for up to 3 months at room temperature. Be sure to store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or humidity so the ingredients stay fresh and the layers remain crisp and colorful.

For best results, remind recipients to bake within 6–8 weeks if you’ve added candies like M&Ms or crushed peppermint, since the colors may start to fade over time. Jars with just oats, flour, and chocolate chips can last a little longer.

To Finish

One of the best things about DIY cookie mix jars is how adaptable they are. You can swap the candies to match different holidays or personalize them for the person you’re gifting. Crushed peppermint candies give them a wintry flair, pastel M&Ms work beautifully for Easter, and rainbow sprinkles make them a year-round birthday treat. It’s such a simple idea, but it carries a lot of heart. Every jar feels like a hug in a container a way of saying, “I thought of you.” Whether given on its own or tucked into a basket, this gift always brings a smile.

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