15 Mason Jar Christmas Gifts That Look Expensive (But Aren't)

Looking for cute Christmas gift ideas on a budget? These DIY mason jar Christmas gifts are easy to make and look store-bought! Fill your jars with hot cocoa mix, cookies, or bath salts for festive, affordable gifts everyone will love.

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If you love giving thoughtful gifts without blowing your holiday budget, mason jar Christmas gifts are about to become your new favorite thing.

Whether you’re making gifts for friends, neighbors, or teachers, these mason jar Christmas gift ideas look expensive but cost just a few dollars to make.

Even if you’re new to DIY gifts, there are lots of easy ideas in this list.

And if you don’t want to make it yourself, I have included options to shop a ready-made version!

Grab some jars, crank up the Christmas music, and let’s get crafting!

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Sweet Treat Mason Jar Christmas Gifts

Nothing says “cozy Christmas” like a mason jar filled with layers of cocoa powder, sugar, mini marshmallows, and crushed candy canes.

It looks adorable, smells amazing, and makes the perfect quick Christmas gift for neighbors or teachers.

Add a festive tag with directions (“just add hot milk!”) and tie it up with a red ribbon.

For a little shortcut, you can use this.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Buy a similar hot chocolate gift set on Amazon

Stack layers of flour, brown sugar, oats, chocolate chips, and festive sprinkles for a Christmas cookie mix that’s almost too pretty to bake.

Include a handwritten recipe card so the recipient can just dump, stir, and bake their way to warm, fresh cookies.

Bonus: you can match the ribbon and tag to your cookie theme (peppermint, chocolate chip, or M&M).

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Put these Christmas cookies in a jar (Pretend they were from an old family recipe – Nestle Toulouse…)

Rich, fudgy, and festive…peppermint brownies in a jar are a holiday classic.

Layer brownie mix ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips) with crushed peppermint candies or Andes mints for a cheerful touch.

Tie on a candy cane and you’ve got an instant crowd-pleaser that looks way more expensive than it is.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Buy this decadent brownie mix on Amazon and put it in a jar (or just enjoy it yourself!)

Self-Care Mason Jar Gift Ideas

A few simple ingredients – sugar, coconut oil, and peppermint essential oil – turn into the dreamiest homemade body scrub.

It smells like candy canes and leaves skin super soft.

Spoon it into a small mason jar and sprinkle crushed candy cane bits on top. For a step-by-step recipe, see this post.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Buy a similar peppermint sugar scrub on Amazon

Mix Epsom salts with dried lavender buds and a few drops of lavender essential oil for an easy DIY spa moment.

It’s relaxing, pretty, and ridiculously cheap to make in bulk.

Tie on a scoop or small wooden spoon and label it “Holiday Stress Relief in a Jar.”

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Buy lavender bath salts and divide up into small jars to gift

Mason jars make perfect candle holders, especially for cozy winter scents like vanilla, pine, or cinnamon.

You can melt soy wax, add your favorite fragrance, and top with a sprinkle of dried herbs or glitter for an extra-festive look. (I love this Christmas glitter!)

They’re warm, pretty, and make any room feel instantly like Christmas.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it:

Homemade Foodie Gifts in a Jar

Start someone’s Christmas morning right with a jar of homemade pancake mix.

Layer flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon, then top with a festive label that says “Just add eggs and milk.”

You can even tie on a tiny bottle of maple syrup or a cinnamon stick for extra charm.

It’s simple, sweet, and looks like it came from a bougie kitchen shop.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Buy this festive pancake mix on Amazon

This holiday granola is crunchy, golden, and it’s a healthy way to enjoy Christmas flavors!

Combine oats, almonds, honey, orange zest, and dried cranberries.

Spoon into a mason jar and tie on a ribbon with a little tag that says “Merry & Crunchy.”

Perfect for breakfast lovers or as a Christmas gift for a neighbor.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it:

Make a few small jars of custom spice blends, like taco seasoning, cinnamon sugar, or Italian herb mix, and gift them as a cute little trio.

Add labels and maybe a mini wooden scoop for that farmhouse aesthetic.

Great for home cooks or anyone who loves a practical (but still adorable) present.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Buy this magnetic spice mix set on Amazon

Mason Jar Gift Ideas: Festive Drinks & Mixes

Give your favorite coffee lover this peppermint mocha mix!

Combine instant coffee, cocoa powder, sugar, and crushed candy canes for a festive flavor that tastes like Christmas in a cup.

Layer it beautifully in a mason jar, top with mini marshmallows, and add a tag that says “Just stir into hot milk or coffee.”

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Buy this festive peppermint mocha mix on Amazon

Warm spices with a touch of sweetness…chai mix is perfect for winter mornings.

Blend powdered milk, instant tea, sugar, and a mix of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom.

It smells amazing and looks so pretty layered in a clear jar.

Wrap it with twine and a cinnamon stick for rustic vibes.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Buy this Madagascar vanilla chai tea mix on Amazon

This mason jar Christmas gift idea feels fancy, but it’s so simple:

Just fill a mason jar with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.

Add a tag with directions for simmering it in red wine or apple cider for the ultimate holiday drink.

It will make your house smell like a Christmas market.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Buy a delicious done-for-you mulling spice mix

Rustic Decor Mason Jar Christmas Gifts

Turn a small mason jar into a magical little snow globe!

Add fake snow, a mini tree or figurine, and a sprinkle of glitter.

Flip it upside down (lid side down) for that classic snow globe look, or leave it right-side-up for a pretty decorative jar.

It’s nostalgic, easy, and perfect for anyone who loves a bit of Christmas sparkle.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: Buy this snow globe making kit on Amazon

This mason jar Christmas gift is super easy to make, and you’ll feel like you’re in a cozy mountain cabin with a lumberjack by your side (just my fantasy?).

Wrap twine or burlap around a mason jar, tuck in a sprig of pine or cinnamon stick, and place a tealight inside.

The glow is soft and cozy…it’s like hygge for your mantle.

Gift these homemade mini lanterns grouped together or gifted as a set of three.

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: This one just involves putting a tea light in a jar, so I can’t really make it much easier… here is a cheap and pretty pack of tealights!

Combine dried oranges, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and pine sprigs for a jar that smells like Christmas morning.

Label it “Simmer Pot in a Jar” and include directions to pour it into a saucepan with water and simmer.

It’s pretty and practical and a very frugal mason jar DIY gift too!

🛍️ If you don’t want to make it: This Christmas potpourri is so lovely!

Related post: Christmas Popcorn Mix: Basically Holiday Magic in a Bowl

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