Q: I've decided to make granola for friends and family this Christmas, in part to simplify the holiday. But I'm not sure what to do about packaging. I'm loath to put my organic treats in plastic tubs or bags, but I want the granola to stay somewhat fresh and money is tight. Any ideas?

Sent by Rebecca

Editor:Rebecca, our biggest suggestion is quart-sized glass Mason jars, which, as you may be able to tell, we like for storing all kinds of things.

They're also easy to dress up and decorate, like the ones pictured above from AfricanKelli's Flickr set. You can see a lot more of her projects and homemade gifts in her Jars of Renewal set here:

• Jars of Renewal at Flickr

Glass jars like these are recyclable, pretty, and airtight. They'll keep the granola fresh. They also just feel more weighty and substantial than plastic packaging. We love reusing these for storage and for casual arrangements of flowers.

They are also inexpensive; you can find them for less than a dollar a jar at some hardware stores and dollar stores.

• Buy quart canning jars: Wide Mouth Quart Mason Jars, $14.55 for a dozen at Amazon

Shipping will cost you, though; we would suggest buying these at any hardware store or even a grocery store.

One other idea is packing granola into wax paper bags, and then into decorated brown paper sacks, like the ones pictured above from Martha Stewart and our own post last December. Here are more suggestions for using bags to package food.

• Good Product: Natural Value Unbleached Wax Paper Bags
• Un-Gift Guide 2007: Old-Fashioned Candy Goodie Bags

Here are our favorite granola recipes:

• Granola with Almonds, Apricots, Cranberries, and Pineapple
• Basic Granola Formula
• Bittersweet Granola
• Homemade Granola

What else? What other ideas do you have for packing gifts like granola? And do you have photos to share? Link them up!

(Images: Flickr member africankelli licensed for use under Creative Commons; Martha Stewart; Amazon.com; Martha Stewart)