By Megan Groh, Hy-Vee Dietitian

Nothing says the Christmas season more than giving.

According to an article posted by Berkeley College, giving can help increase the strength of your community.  This research points out that it increases health in people who are ill and elderly.  However, shopping is not always the easiest task and can be very stressful.

Hy-Vee can provide you with all the supplies you need to give that special gift for a friend, co-worker or family member. Join us on Dec. 12 or Dec. 14 for one of our Holly Jolly Gift Workshops.

You will create and take home three gifts in a jar. For more information on this class, visit our Facebook page.

If you can’t make it to our class, try our holly jolly jar gift ideas and be the favorite this season.

In a mason jar…

•Add a variety of herbal tea bags

•Add the recipient’s favorite coffee bean

•Add all the dry ingredients for a tasty pancake mix

•Add seasonal popcorn with dried fruit for a festive trail mix

•Add the recipient’s favorite make-up, lip balm and lipstick

•Add dry ingredients for favorite oatmeal recipes

Decorate the top of your jar with a festive Christmas fabric and tie a ribbon around the top of the jar that includes a tag to state whom the gift is to and from.  Remember to include instructions for completing the recipe. You can even add a fun Christmas bow to give extra appeal to your holly jolly jar gift.

Blueberry-Pecan Pancake Mix

Serves 8 (two 3-inch) pancakes each

All you need

Dry mix

•1 cup Hy-Vee all-purpose flour

•1/2 cup Hy-Vee whole wheat flour

•1/2 cup Hy-Vee dried blueberries

•1/2 cup finely chopped Hy-Vee pecans, toasted

•3 tbsp Hy-Vee light brown sugar

•2 tsp baking powder

•1 tsp Hy-Vee ground cinnamon

•1/2 tsp salt

Wet ingredients

•2 large eggs

•Whites of 2 large eggs

•1 1/2 cups nonfat buttermilk

•2 tbsp canola oil

All you do

To make dry mix: Whisk all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, blueberries, pecans, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.

If giving as a jar gift, decorate the top of the jar and fix instructions below to the lid.

To make pancakes: Whisk eggs, egg whites, buttermilk and oil in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry mix; add wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Use about 1/4 cup batter for each pancake.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 259 calories, 10g fat, 1g saturated fat, 54mg cholesterol, 356mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 8g protein.

Source: adapted from Eating Well, Inc.