How will you celebrate Christmas this year? With limited gatherings along with festivities taking a turn toward social distancing, gift-giving may become one of several holiday challenges. Adding to that, the budgets of many have tightened leaving the want to give battling with financial struggles. Even though obstacles of 2020 try to block the way, the blessings and magic of Christmas can’t be contained. When you mix the reason we celebrate along with warm homes, loving hearts, and kitchens filled with the heavenly aroma of fresh-baked cookies {pause for a moment} I think we can all say we have a lot to be thankful for.

Did I mention cookies? Who doesn’t think of this tasty tradition during the holidays? Christmas cookies originated centuries ago. As it is today, many cultures from days past held Christmas as a special time of visiting our dearest friends and family. Gift-giving was a big deal too, although quite a bit different from shopping at malls and giving gift cards. Gifts from eras long ago were often fruits of the givers’ labor. Christmas gifts were a bit more challenging because during winter the ground was cold and hard so there were no crops to share. That left only hand made items and sweet treats. Cookies were a popular item that could be made in large amounts and shared with anyone, from family to simple acquaintances.

Though cookies vary in different parts of the world, they share a universal language! While we are practicing social distancing, we can still share fun and sweet memories with friends and loved ones. We can also visit other cultures while staying at home. Let’s take an inexpensive trip around the world in a cookie jar while giving a gift filled with warm, lasting memories. A cookie that can be shared now and experienced in kitchens and homes throughout the Christmas season and beyond. Keep in mind that only the dry ingredients can go in the gift jar. We’ve included the day-of ingredients as well as the baking instructions for you to print and attach to your lovely cookie gift jar! Add some festive twine, maybe a cookie-cutter, or an ornament, and there you’ll have the cutest cookie jar gift!

Related: 15 Ways to Save on Holiday Presents This Year

Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies are an Amish cookie tradition that was perfected by Protestant settlers from Germany.

Ingredients for the jar

• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 1/2 cups of flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions for assembling your jar

• Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
• Funnel the cookie mix into a mason jar.
• Print and attach the ingredients and the recipe (listed below) for baking day to the jar.

Ingredients needed for baking day

• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• Jar of the cookie mix

Directions for baking day

• To one jar of Sugar Cookie Mix,
• Add butter, vanilla, sour cream, and an egg.
• Mix all of your ingredients in a large bowl.
• Roll your cookie dough out on a floured surface.
• Use the cookie cutter to cut out cookie shapes and place them on a cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350° F for 10-12 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and allow them to cool before decorating.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

These sweet and spiced cookies were originally brought to the United States by English, Scottish and Dutch immigrants.

Ingredients for the jar

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 1/2 cups of white sugar

Instructions for assembling your jar

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, cream of tartar, and sugar and stir with a whisk.
• Funnel the cookie mix into a mason jar.
• Print and attach the ingredients and the recipe (listed below) for baking day to the jar.

Ingredients needed for baking day

• 1 cup of butter
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
• The cookie mix

Directions for baking day

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• In a large bowl, cream 1 cup of butter and 2 eggs.
• Pour in the snickerdoodle mix, and stir until a dough forms.
• In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.
• Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, roll the balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Cookies should be light brown.
• Cool on wire racks and enjoy!

Triple Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Originating in England, oatmeal cookies have been around since the 1800s. However, it is believed they were created after the oatcake which soldiers used to carry with them for a quick boost of energy during battle.

This is a gluten-free version for those who can’t eat wheat flour.


Ingredients for the jar

• 1 1/4 cups Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free baking mix or all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free rolled oats
• One 12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips or 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup white chocolate chips, and 1/4 cup peanut butter chips.

Instructions for assembling your jar

• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set flour mixture aside.
• Whisk together the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Set sugar mixture aside.
• Funnel a layer of the flour mixture into the jar first.
• Next, funnel the sugar mixture on top of the flour mixture layer.
• Layer the gluten-free oats.
• Layer the chocolate chips according to preference.
• Continue layering until the jar is full.
• Print and attach the ingredients and the recipe (listed below) for baking day to the jar.

Ingredients needed for baking day

• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• The cookie mix

Directions for baking day

• Place rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350° F.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, egg, and vanilla until well blended.
• Add the cookie mix and mix well, breaking up any clumps.
• Drop the dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 1 1/2 inches between each ball of dough.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until light golden brown.
• Remove from oven, let cool, and enjoy!

Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread Men are a highly recognizable holiday classic since the 16th century. It is rumored that Queen Elizabeth commissioned them to represent her favorite people in her court!

Ingredients for the jar

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 cup packed brown sugar

Instructions for assembling your jar

• Mix 2 cups of the flour with the baking soda and baking powder for the flour mixture.
• Mix the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour with the ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice for the spice mixture.
• Spoon or funnel the flour mixture and spice mixture in an alternating layer pattern.
• Pack firmly between layers.
• Place a circle of gingerbread printed fabric between the lid and rim.
• Tie a gingerbread man cookie cutter onto the jar with a ribbon.
• Print and attach the ingredients and the recipe (listed below) for baking day to the jar.

Ingredients needed for baking day

• 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• The cookie mix

Directions for baking day

• Empty contents of jar into a large mixing bowl.
• Stir to blend together.
• Mix in 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine, 3/4 cup molasses, and 1 slightly beaten egg.
• The dough will be very stiff, so you may need to use your hands. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350° F
• Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.
• Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
• Place cookies on a lightly greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven.
• Decorate as desired.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The good old chocolate chip cookie was invented in America in Whitman, Massachusetts in 1938! That’s something we can all be proud of!

Ingredients for the jar

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions for assembling your jar

• Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
• Place mixture in a 1-quart jar.
• Now for the tip to getting your mix to look “pretty,” use the back of a spoon to pack the flour mixture down around the outside of the jar.
• Add the brown sugar next using the same method to pack it down in the jar.
• Finish by adding the sugar and top with the chocolate chips.
• Print and attach the ingredients and the recipe (listed below) for baking day to the jar.

Ingredients needed for baking day

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• The cookie mix

Directions for baking day

• Preheat oven to 375° F.
• Beat butter, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl until blended.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and sugars. Stir to mix well.
• Add dry mixture to wet and mix well.
• Drop by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.
• Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool.

Related: Watch: SALTY & SWEET Peanut Butter Rocky Road Bars Holiday Recipe!