Simple, Last Minute Mason Jar Gifts, by Faye Lessler

This piece was written by Faye Lessler and originally appeared on Sustaining Life, a blog about sustainability, vegan eating, and ethical fashion. Faye works for an ethical fashion accelerator in NYC, does freelance writing, and shares the most delicious recipes.

If you’re anything like me, you are still scrambling to finish off at least a few Christmas gifts – despite only having [a few] days before the deadline. As someone who actively avoids any and all holiday hubbub or excess that goes along with last-minute gift shopping, I have adopted a new strategy this year. Yep, you guessed it, I’m cooking up some holiday treats!

Not only is holiday shopping stressful and expensive, but it also comes with a lot of waste, excess, and mediocre gifts. By making edible gifts at home and packaging them in cute, reusable mason jars, I am happily avoiding all of that trash while ensuring that my gifts are both useful and enjoyable for everyone! These three edible treats are sure to please the loved ones on both of our gift lists this year. These treats and sustainable wrapping suggestions are cheap, easy, and can all be accomplished in one day. Now that is what I call an enjoyable holiday activity.

For The Home Cook: Rosemary Sea Salt

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 4 cups coarse sea salt
• 4 sprigs ( or tbsp) dried rosemary

DIRECTIONS:

1. Chop dried rosemary with a knife or pulse in a food processor.
2. Mix salt and rosemary together in a large mixing bowl.
3. Transfer to jars!

For The Snacker: Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 3 lbs of chocolate (semisweet, dark, white…)
• 1.5 tbsp peppermint extract
• a handful of candy canes (use more if you like more candy crunch)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Create a double boiler by bringing a large pot of water to a boil and setting a smaller pot or glass bowl inside. Don’t let the water get in the smaller vessel and don’t let it touch the sides or bottom of the larger pot.
2. If in large blocks, chop chocolate into smaller chunks.
3. Add chocolate and peppermint extract to the smaller vessel of your double boiler. Allow to melt while stirring.
4. Pour melted chocolate into a baking pan lined in parchment paper.
5. Crush candy canes and sprinkle over top of chocolate.
6. Spread evenly in baking pan and set in refrigerator for at least one hour. 
7. Chop into large chunks and transfer to jars!

Get 1 more recipe + instructions for making turmeric-dyed cards on Sustaining Life.