Pumpkin Pancake Mix in a Jar: The Easiest DIY Gift for Neighbors & Friends 🎃🥞

Okay, let’s be real for a sec—when fall rolls around, everyone is secretly waiting for two things: pumpkin spice everything and that cozy, neighborly vibe 🍂✨. And if you’ve ever thought, “Ugh, what do I even give my neighbors, teachers, or friends that isn’t super expensive but still feels thoughtful?”—girl, I’ve got you.

Enter: Pumpkin Pancake Mix in a Jar 🎃🥞. It’s cozy, it’s budget-friendly, and it literally screams “I’m the Pinteresty neighbor you secretly always wanted.” The best part? You can make these jars in batches—so you knock out like 10 gifts at once without breaking a sweat. 🙌

All you need are a few pantry staples, a cute mason jar (these mason jars with lids are my go-to 💕), and some twine or ribbon (seriously, how adorable are these rustic twine rolls for under $10?!). Boom. Instant fall magic. ✨

And hey, don’t forget to treat yourself, too. You’re about to make the fluffiest, coziest pumpkin pancakes of your life—so grab a non-stick griddle or even these pumpkin-shaped pancake molds and join the party. 🥰 This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Why Pumpkin Pancake Mix Makes the Perfect DIY Gift 🎁

So here’s the thing—you could run to Target and grab another candle (we’ve all done it 🙈), but there’s something next-level about giving a gift that feels handmade, cozy, and straight from the heart. Pumpkin pancake mix is basically the fall trifecta:

✨ It’s seasonal AF — Who doesn’t want to wake up to pumpkin pancakes on a crisp October morning? Pair it with a cute fall mug and you just won gift-giving.

✨ Budget-friendly but bougie vibes — Flour, sugar, and spices don’t cost much, but layered in a jar with a bow? It looks like you shopped at some artisanal boutique. (Pro tip: snag this pumpkin spice blend so you don’t have to buy 5 separate jars of spices!)

✨ Family-approved — From picky kids to brunch-loving adults, pancakes = instant crowd-pleaser. Imagine gifting this with a cute mini whisk tied to the jar—hello, cutest gift ever.

✨ Batch-friendly — One quick mixing session and boom, you’ve got enough gifts for your neighbors, your kids’ teachers, and that friend who always hosts wine night. Pair with these gift tag printables so you can write out the cooking instructions in style.

And honestly? This gift is so good you’ll want to stash a jar (or three) in your own pantry. 😉

Picture This: A little basket filled with pumpkin pancake jars, tied with plaid ribbons, maybe a cinnamon stick tucked in, sitting by your front door waiting for you to play “pumpkin fairy” to your neighborhood. 🧡

How to Make Pumpkin Pancake Mix in a Jar 🎃🥞

Alright, bestie—grab your coffee, throw on your cozy sweater, and let’s make some pancake magic. This is one of those “if you can scoop and stir, you can do it” projects. Promise. 💁‍♀️✨

What You’ll Need:

• All-purpose flour (basic but necessary, boo 👩‍🍳)

• Sugar (or swap in coconut sugar if you’re feelin’ fancy)

• Baking powder

• Pumpkin pie spice (snag this pumpkin spice blend and thank me later 🍂)

• Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves (if you want to mix your own spice magic)

• Powdered milk (optional but keeps it super convenient for the gift receiver)

• A pinch of salt 🧂

• Cute mason jars (these wide-mouth mason jars are honestly the easiest to fill)

Step 1: Mix or Layer

You’ve got two options here:

✨ Layer it up — Go full Pinterest vibes by layering flour, sugar, and spices like a little pumpkin-striped sand art. It looks super chic in the jar and your neighbors will be like, “OMG you’re so creative.” (Pro tip: use a jar funnel to avoid flour explosions on your counter 😂).

✨ Mix it all together — If you’re more practical than Pinterest, just whisk everything together in a big bowl and scoop it in. Either way, the pancakes taste delish. 🥞

Step 2: Fill & Seal

Spoon the mix into your mason jar, tap it down gently, then twist the lid on tight. These leak-proof mason lids are sooo much better than the cheap ones that rust after two uses.

Step 3: Decorate Like a Pro 🎀

Here’s where the magic happens:

• Tie some fall-themed ribbon or rustic twine around the jar.

• Add a cute cinnamon stick or mini wooden spoon for that “Pinterest-level neighbor” effect.

• Slip on a pre-made printable gift tag with cooking directions. (Seriously, these save so much time.)

Step 4: Attach the Recipe

Don’t forget this part, babe! On your tag, write:

“To make: Whisk 1 cup mix with 1 egg, ¾ cup milk (or almond milk), and ¼ cup pumpkin purée. Cook on a buttered skillet until golden brown. Serve with syrup + love. 🧡”

(Pro tip: Pop this on a fall recipe card set instead of plain paper and it’ll look sooo professional.)

Picture This: You in your kitchen, jars lined up assembly-line style, fall candle burning in the background, tying the last ribbon and thinking, “Wow, I am officially that crafty, cozy neighbor.” 🍂✨

Creative Ways to Decorate Your Jars 🎁🍂

Okay, gorgeous, the hard part is done! Now comes the really fun stuff - making your jar look absolutely irresistible! Because let's be real - we eat with our eyes first, and we gift with our hearts, but the presentation? That's what gets the "OMG, you MADE this?!" reaction we're totally here for! 😉

1. The Classic Rustic Charm 🍂
This is my go-to, never-fail, always adorable look! All you need is that Natural Jute Twine Roll I told you about! Simply tie a pretty bow around the lid - that's it! For an extra touch, tuck a small faux leaf or a cinnamon stick into the bow. It smells amazing and looks straight out of a magazine!

Pro Tip: Grab this Assorted Fall Leaf Pack to really make your bows pop with color! 🍁

2. The Fabric Lid Topper
Remember how I mentioned putting fabric under the ring? Let's do it! This is seriously the EASIEST way to make your jar look expensive and handmade. Just cut a circle of any festive fabric (think plaids, fall prints, or even burlap!), place it over the mouth of the jar, and screw the ring on over it. SO cute and it takes 2 seconds!

This 12-Pack of Assorted Fall Fabric is perfect because you get all the patterns without having to buy yards of each!

3. The Gift Basket Bonanza 🧺
Want to really go all out? Create the ultimate cozy morning kit! Place your beautiful jar in a Decorative Wicker Basket and add:

• A cute "Pumpkin Everything" Mug

• A bag of Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Coffee

• A Mini Bottle of Maple Syrup

• And maybe even a Super Soft Kitchen Towel Set

I mean, could you IMAGINE receiving this?! You'd be someone's favorite person forever! 😍

4. The Personal Touch 🏷️
Don't forget to attach your FREE printable tag! It not only looks adorable but tells your friend exactly what to do. Punch a hole in the corner and tie it on with your jute twine. I designed it to have a "To:" and "From:" section so it doubles as a gift tag!

Picture This: A whole row of jars on your counter, each one decorated differently—rustic, glam, playful—all nestled in a big basket with pinecones and tiny pumpkins scattered around. Insta-worthy? 100%. 📸✨

Who to Gift Pumpkin Pancake Mix To 🎀🥞

Okay, so you’ve got your jars looking all Pinterest-pretty… now the big question: who’s getting one? Honestly, this mix is so versatile it works for basically everyone on your list (and let’s be real, you might “accidentally” keep a jar or two for yourself 👀).

• 🏡 Neighbors — Leave on their porch with a note. Pair with mini syrup bottles for major points.

• 🍎 Teachers — Add a fall towel + pumpkin spice coffee sampler = morning made.

• 👯 Friends — Gift basket with fuzzy socks + pumpkin candle. Cozy goals.

• 🍷 Hostess — Skip the wine, bring this with autumn napkins or a mini cast iron skillet.

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Families — Tie on pumpkin cookie cutters for the kids = instant pancake party.

Picture This: You walking around like the “pumpkin fairy,” dropping jars off at porches, handing one to your BFF, slipping one in your kid’s teacher’s bag. Thoughtful and effortless. ✨

Extra Tips & Variations ✨

• 🌾 Gluten-Free: Use a 1-to-1 GF flour blend. No one will know.

• 🌱 Vegan: Skip powdered milk + add a vegan swaps card.

• 🍫 Sweet Add-Ons: Tie on a baggie of chocolate chips or pecans.

• 🍁 Cozy Combo Gift: Bundle with a fall mug, coffee sampler, and maple syrup.

• 🧡 Batch It Out: Make 10 jars in an hour. Use bulk mason jars to save cash.

Picture This: Your kitchen table covered in jars, ribbons, chocolate chips, and twine—like Santa’s workshop but make it pumpkin chic. 🎃✨

final thoughts

See? Told ya this was going to be the easiest DIY gift ever. 🎃 Whether you’re dropping one on a neighbor’s porch, sliding it into a teacher’s tote, or keeping a secret stash for Sunday brunch (because duh, you deserve it too 🥞), this Pumpkin Pancake Mix in a Jar is fall gift-giving done right.

It’s thoughtful without being stressful, budget-friendly without looking cheap, and—let’s be real—it makes you look like the crafty Pinterest goddess of the block. 👏

So grab your mason jars, stock up on pumpkin spice blend, tie it all up with adorable twine + tags, and let’s make this fall a little sweeter, one pancake at a time. 🧡

PS: Don’t forget to make an extra jar for yourself—you’ll thank me when your kitchen smells like cinnamon, nutmeg, and pure happiness on a chilly morning. ✨

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