I know it’s only October but this is the time of year I start thinking about DIY gifts for the Christmas season.  Usually these type of gifts take some thoughtful planning & time to create.  I’d rather get these completed before the crazy Christmas rush that starts the day after Thanksgiving.  If you like this DIY be sure to head over to another budget friendly Christmas DIY gift I posted: DIY Garden Seed Gifts.

I’m really excited to share this easy DIY gift that isn’t a complete time or budget suck!  I’ve done all the hard work for you by color coordinating a beautiful handmade gift.  Better still….this DIY gift is completely universal!  You can give this gift package away to pretty much anyone who likes to eat food!  Here are just a few people I’m knocking off my list:

• Neighbor gift
• Girlfriend gift
• Boyfriend gift
• Teacher gift
• Co-worker gift
• Bachelor gift
• Family gift
• Eccentric, distant relatives who already own everything they need type gift!

Just look how beautiful this simple DIY turned out!

What would make this DIY Gift even better?  A FREE PRINTABLE LABEL!  Just print out our free printable labels onto card stock and place them under the sealing ring of the jar lid!  Everything coordinates perfectly! Check it out:

Maple Syrup Gift Supply List:

Here is a list of what you’ll need with shopping links to the carefully color coordinated pieces that I used in this handmade gift.  My plan is to gift the jar of bacon-whiskey infused syrup with the cute striped piggy tea towel & olive wood spoon.  What goes better with bacon-whiskey maple syrup than a piggy tea towel?  I tucked a small espresso spoon (for spooning the maple syrup out) behind the ribbon for a final touch.

• Ball Quilted Crystal 4 Ounce Jars OR Ball Quilted Crystal 12 Ounce Jars
• 4 Inch Espresso Spoons
• Threshold Gray Stripe Kitchen Towel
• Offray Monochromatic Stripe Ribbon in Grey
• Olive Wood Spoon
• 100% Real Maple Syrup
• Pure Madagascar Vanilla
• Scotch Double Sided Removable Tape
• Top Shelf Whiskey of your Choice (Such as Templeton Rye Whiskey or Jamison Whiskey)
• FREE PRINTABLE Jar Lid Label

For this gift in a jar there are two potential options for jar gifts that fit the size of the recipe:

1. Fill smaller Ball quilted crystal 4 ounce jars (containing about two servings of maple syrup).  The syrup recipe below will fill about 3, 4 ounce quilted jars.

2. Fill larger 12 ounce Ball quilted jars (that contain about 6 servings).  The maple syrup recipe below will fill 1, 12 ounce Ball quilted jar.

This quick and easy recipe takes its inspiration from whiskey barrel aged maple syrup I’ve purchased in the past. I wanted to create something similar at home for less.  This make at home version costs less than half of what I was paying for the cask aged syrup.

Important Notes About this Recipe:

This recipe makes just over a cup of finished syrup.  The amount varies a little with the amount of cooking time.  If you want a rich flavored syrup that does not have a STRONG whiskey flavor I recommend that you simmer the syrup for 15 minutes.  If you want a STRONG whiskey flavor then I recommend that you simmer the syrup for only 10 mins.  Be sure to take some tastes along the way and stop the cooking process when you feel you’ve reached the desired flavor.  I wouldn’t exceed 15 minutes of cooking time because you will cook off too much of the whiskey.

I recommend that you use 100% grade A maple syrup and Pure Madagascar vanilla for maximum flavor.  I’ve found that Target’s Archer Farms Maple Syrup has the best value if you’re making a large amount.  Watkins Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract is my go to vanilla.  I’ve yet to find a vanilla extract that can compete with the flavor.

Okay, gather up your supplies & ingredients and lets get started!

{Decorate Jars for Gifting}

Wrap Double Sided Tape Around Jar (to Hold Ribbon in Place)

Wrap Striped Ribbon Around Top of Jar & Double Sided Tape

Tie Two Knots and Trim Ends of Ribbon

Tuck Espresso Spoon Behind Double Knot

Voila!  The Very Beautiful Finished Product!

I’m so delighted how this turned out!  All the colors work so well together….from the ribbon to the piggy tea towel to the olive wood spoon.  I know I would love getting such a well thought out gift!  I’d love to hear or see your DIY Christmas projects…I hope our handmade gift has inspired you to try making something special for the people in your life this Christmas!

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{Don’t Forget to Pin this Whiskey Maple Syrup Recipe!}