Give a Gift in a Jar with a Hot Rice Pack

I realize that there are lots and lots of "gifts in a jar" posted all over, but I think one of the very best is the Chicken Noodle Soup one. It would come in so handy to just have up in the cupboard for those times when you just don't feel well. And then you'd think of the person who gave it to you as a gift earlier on and say, "What a thoughtful gift!"  So why not make it for that friend this year that you are not sure what to get for a Christmas or birthday gift.  They would think of you later when they may have that cold or just want a nice hot quick meal!

Printable Label for Chicken Noodle Soup Jar

Here is how it is made:

Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar

Layered soup in a jar makes a super stand-alone gift any time. But combined in a “theme” gift basket they make an even more impressive gift in a jar presentation. Inexpensive ingredients and quick to assemble!

I made my first layered soup in a jar recipes for my Christmas gift baskets 10 years ago. This recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup, along with a jar of Minestrone Soup, were nestled in with a rice hot pack, crackers, pine cones, a Christmas ornament and homemade kahlua. All this in an orange crate wrapped in cellophane and tied with curling ribbon.  Ten years hence, and its still a classic gift.

This idea is also a great pick-me-up for a poorly friend. Pack in a crate or basket: a Rice Hot Pack, Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar, cough drops, Vicks vapor rub, and a good book.

And, of course, this is a great soup mix to have in the pantry for yourself, especially after Thanksgiving or Christmas, or whenever you have leftover chicken or turkey.

Ingredients:

¼ cup of red lentils
2 tbsp. dried onion flakes
1½ tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
½ tsp. dried dill weed or dill seed
1/8 tsp each celery seed and garlic powder
approximately 1 cup medium egg noodles
1 bay leaf.

Directions:
In a two-cup jar, layer from bottom in the order listed above, then seal the jar.
 
Include these instructions:
You can use our free printable to attach the recipe instructions to your jar gift or write your own with the following instructions:

Bring 8 cups of water to boil in large saucepan. Stir in jar of soup mix. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Discard bay leaf and stir in 1½ cups of frozen corn or mixed vegetables and 2 cups of cooked, diced chicken or turkey. Simmer for five minutes until vegetables are tender and chicken is heated through.

Okay, here is my opinion. If you are going to give this soup mix to someone, then give them at least a can of cooked, diced chicken too. It is already cooked and diced so it can be opened and dumped into the pan when the jar of soup mix is put in. No hassles! Make up a basket gift adding this jar of pre-made soup, a can of cooked, diced chicken, some cough drops, a hot rice pack, and possibly a good book to read. What a thoughtful gift for an ill person. 
Now if this is to be a birthday or maybe a holiday gift, then possibly skip the cough drops, but the rest will do! Be creative. Think of what that friend would love to see in that basket!

Hot Rice Pack - A How To:

If you wish to add the power of aromatherapy to your hot packs, you can add small amounts of herbs or a few drops of your favourite herbal essential oil to the rice before filling the packs. Lavender smells wonderful and has been used for centuries for its calming effect.

Handy Tip: Both rice hot pack variations can be used as hot packs by heating in the microwave, but they also make useful cold packs to ease sprains and strains when stored in the freezer.

Directions for the Original Rice Hot Pack: For those who would like to stick with the traditional rice pack project, which produces a 3' x 4.5" tube, divided into rice filled segments, here are the full directions:

Supplies: scrap of cotton fabric, 37"x 10"; thread; chalk; sewing machine; one cup measure; measuring tape; scissors; 6 cups of white rice (not instant).

It is SO much easier using washclothes. The easiest way to do this is to use a nice if not NEW washcloth. Fold it in half lengthwise and stitch the one end and whole side of it shut. Fill the open end with about 1 to 2 cups (as seems right to you) of RAW WHITE RICE. Then stitch that last end shut as well. 

Skills:
This is an easy to make beginner's sewing project. Ability to measure, cut, and sew rectangles with half inch seams.

What You Do:
Fold fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along the bottom and length using half inch seams. Turn tube right side out. Measure and mark with chalk, from bottom seam, every 6" along the length, ending a half inch from end. Pour one cup of rice into tube and sew across width at the first 6" mark, enclosing rice in a 6" x 4.5" rectangle. Repeat for remaining 5 cups of rice. Turn in a half inch from end, and sew very near the edge to close tube.

Include these instructions with your gift: "Rice Buddy Hot Pack/Cold Pack. Microwave for 3-5 minutes, until hot, and use as you would a hot water bottle. Great for easing aches and pains. For cold pack, store in the freezer."

Okay, now go make one and add it to the gift basket.  :)