I haven't ever really been on the giving end of presents (I know, sad?), but this year, I decided that I would make more of an effort to spread good cheer more among friends of mine so I decided to find a cheap and easy way to do that! Now, regardless what people say, no Instructable is really 'easy', you know, you still have to put effort into finding materials and labor, but thankfully, most of these materials can be found during the holiday season and at your local grocery store!

What I chose to make was a jar of hot chocolate mix (marshmallows included). The requirements list wasn't that exhausting which is what I liked about the idea.

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 x salsa jar or glass jar
1 x good colored spray paint
1 x large bowl
1 x powder measuring cup
1 x teaspoon
1 x napkin (unless if you rip one)
1 x hot glue gun with sticks
1 x pair of scissors
1 x roll of festive ribbon
1 x bottle of Goo-Gone
1 x roll of masking tape

FOR INGREDIENTS:
Instant Milk
Powdered Sugar
Cocoa Powder
Cornstarch
Iodized Salt
Mini Marshmallows

WARNING: this Instructable has a tendency to conjure a powdery mess in your kitchen!
But hey! That's no excuse to not spread good cheer!

Step 1: The Bottle

This step takes a relatively long time (unless if you have a bottomless pit for a stomach like me). So basically, go out and buy 1 glass bottle of whatever; in my case, I bought salsa. Completely devour everything in the bottle, then rinse in out and scrape the label off. Use the Goo Gone that you bought and remove the sticky residue left by the label. Once everything is rinsed and shining, send it through the dishwasher just to be safe!

CONCISE STEPS:
1. Buy glass jar.
2. Eat stuff in glass jar.
3. Rinse jar.
4. Scrape label off and remove with Goo Gone.
5. Send through dish washer.

I tried taking the label residue off without Goo Gone and I failed super miserably, so I went out and bought some and it totally came off in a jiffy! It was crazy the results, so I totally recommend going out and getting some before you start this project!

Step 2: The Lid

Yes, you can use the same lid (you kinda have too), but you'll have to make it look pretty! Start off by giving it a good scrub, dry it off, and once it's all clean, mask off the inside to prevent bad things from happening! Pick your favorite spray paint color and shoot! Remember, always use a well ventilated area, and apply the paint in thin coatings! In this case, you want A LOT of thin layers to get the best quality.

CONCISE STEPS:
1. Thoroughly wash the lid.
2. Dry the lid.
3. Mask off the inside of the lid. (IMPORTANT)
4. Find a good spray paint, and shoot! (apply thin layers!)
5. Wait to dry. (this may take some time!)

The spray paint I used was RUST-OLEUM Hammered metal, and it turned out better than I could have asked for!

Step 3: Hot Recipe

This is a really easy recipe for what it's worth (1 million dollars!). So, you will need one ultimate cook book full of amazing-ness that only your mother could read, but in case you don't have one of those, I do!

RECIPE:
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Cup Cocoa
2 1/2 Cups Powdered Milk
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Teaspoons Cornstarch

Now, this being a ratio, these values always apply no matter how much you want to make!

In addition to all this, you will need one giant bowl (in my case), a dry measuring cup, and a teaspoon.

Step 4: The Mix

You can add the ingredients in any way that you want, but I just put them into the mix in order. So once everything's in, stir the mix until it looks the same throughout. I then added the marshmallows, and stirred some more! After it's the same throughout, pour the mixture into your clean jar.

CONCISE STEPS:
1. Collect all ingredients.
2. put the following ingredients into the bowl: Powdered Sugar
Cocoa
Powdered Milk
Salt
Cornstarch
3. Stir the ingredients.
4. Add the mini marshmallows.
5. Stir some more!
6. TASTE TEST [SUPER IMPORTANT]
7. Pour the mixture into your clean jar until it's as full as you want.
8. Wipe down your newly full jar.

Now, as to not be wasteful with my excess mixture, I put the excess in a tupperware container for later use!

Step 5: Decorate the Jar

Yes, your jar may look beautiful now, but in order to get into the festive spirit, your should further decorate your jar with random stuff! Want Christmas trees? Make Christmas trees! This is the part where you let your creative imagination flow!
(but for those of you who hit a stump, here's what I did!)
I took a festive napkin, cut a thin part of it off, and screwed on the lid on top of it. I cut off the excess napkin to my desired length. I then, hot glued a golden ribbon around my jar, wrapping in twice. Looking for and even more festive look, I cut some ribbon to my desired width and length, then tied it in a bow around the gold ribbon.

CONCISE STEPS:
1. Cut a thin part of your festive napkin.
2. Screw lid on top of it and trim to desired length.
3. Hot glue a second ribbon going around the jar.
4. Tie a thin ribbon around the bigger one in a bow.

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 x festive napkin
1 x pair of scissors
1 x hot glue gun with sticks
2 x different width and color ribbons

(make sure you don't seal the lid shut during this process)

Step 6: Greeting!

This step can be as simple or as complex as you want! I just went with a little note card! Just include how to make their drink and a little holiday greeting!
(mine was a 2 water to 1 mixture)
(also, to make it warm/hot, I microwaved the mug for around 45 seconds)
ITEMS NEEDED:
1 x greeting card
1 x a pen?

Yeah, since that list took oh so long to make, I am exhausted. On that note, go out, be safe, and make yourself a Chocolaty Christmas!