End of Year Teacher Gifts

Yesterday was the last day of school for the boys!  YEA!!!!!!!!!!  Summer break!  I made end of the year gifts for the teachers.  My theme was "You really 'nailed' it as a teacher!"  So they got mani/pedi stuff for their nails.  I think it is appropriate since it is summer and sandal weather.  They may be going to the beach for their summer break and want their nails to look nice.

This is what I included in each packet:  a small bottle of nail polish (summer colors), a small hand lotion, toe separators, an orange stick (cuticle pusher), and a 3 way file/buffer.

One of my sons has a man for a teacher and I didn't think that he would want stuff for manis/pedis.  So, sticking to the theme, he got a hammer.

Here they are all bagged up.  I made a tag that said "You really nailed it as a teacher" and tied one around the top of each bag.

I hope they enjoy their mani/pedi supplies this summer.

Teacher Appreciation

This is the last day of Teacher Appreciation Week.  My kids wanted to take their teachers something (since I have 3 in school - 2 are in middle school and have multiple teachers - I can only do so much).  Yes, we did 10 pair of scissors.

I saw this idea on Crap I've Made and Char has an excellent tutorial.

I purchased my scissors from Hobby Lobby and they were made a little different from the scissors that Char used.  Not a big deal, just a little more work.  Char said that she got her scissors at Dollar Tree - I went there later to look for some and I found a pretty good selection - they are easier to decorate and less expensive too.  I now have several that I am going to keep on hand for a later use (see last paragraph).

I am pleased with how they turned out.  My 2 oldest boys helped with it.  It's too big of a job for little kids.  They seemed to be proud of the scissors.

The tag says "You are a cut above the rest."  What teacher doesn't need scissors?  And since they are so different - hopefully they will be returned if borrowed (although they are so cute - they might not be).

I really like the black handled scissors with apples (my son used it for his only man teacher).

This would be a great gift for scrapbookers, crafters or anyone that uses scissors (and don't most people at some time or another?).  They have so many scrapbook papers out there that you can fit anyone's personality (just choose a small print).  I love scrapbook paper - I use it for so many things that aren't even related to scrapbooking.  (It makes good origami paper among other things.)

End of the Year Teacher Gift

Our school year is finally over. This is what I did for 1 set of teachers (Lee had 4 teachers, Champ had 4 teachers and Anthony had 1 teacher). [Anthony's teacher we did a gift as a class - all the Kindergarten kids in her class and their parents got together and got her something together. Champ had extenuating circumstances and several of his teachers were out the last week and he had subs - so we didn't do anything for his teachers.]

Since Lee wanted to do something and I have 3 boys in school (makes quite a few teachers) I couldn't do too much for them (there isn't enough money in the budget for what they deserve), but we wanted to do something anyway.

A mom in our MOPS group researched the web and came up with several teacher gift ideas and made samples and set up a table to show us - fantastic idead. I really liked this idea (among others), thought it was really cute and quick and easy enough to do several at the last minute. She found the idea here. The printable is free too.

There was something strange when I printed mine out. It said it would print out in a 5 X 7 size, but printed out in an 8 X 10 size instead. Oh, well, the teachers just got a JUMBO thank you.



I took a picture before Lee signed his name to all of them.

A Tiny Green Gift

Remember these tiny shamrocks? Well, I found an Irish blessing, typed it up and cut it out. Pasted it on green construction paper and pinned the shamrock to it. Anthony gave one to his teacher and her student teacher. (Yes, we did it this week because we have spring break next week and won't be in school.)

"Tote"ally Terrific Teacher

O.k. I have had all kinds of ideas for Anthony's teacher this year, but my timing has been all wrong (at least I've had a plan - I usually have good intentions, but wait until the last minute and don't get anything accomplished).

I had a plan for Teacher Appreciation Week and gave it to her early (didn't have too, but it went so well with the theme - now I still have to come up with something for Teacher Appreciation Week). I had an idea for Christmas (more about that later on in this post), but found out Anthony's teacher's birthday is Saturday of this week. So she will be getting her Christmas present for her birthday instead of Christmas (and now I've got to come up with something for Christmas).

Background info...
The school's mascot is a 'bee' image and has green and gold for their colors. Anyway, it is very hard to find any thing with a bee that is in green and gold, but very easy to find bees with black and gold colors. So that's what I went with.

I made Anthony's teacher a tote bag (you know, for grade books, papers to be graded, etc.). I used a black fabric with a white polka dot. I embroidered her name in a yellow-gold.


I lined the bag with a yellow fabric that has bees on it.


It's not too big, but not too small. I made the handles long enough to go over her shoulder (you know that teachers have enough to carry already) so it might free up her hands. I used a black nylon webbing for the handles (should hold up really well).

Teacher's Gift

This week Anthony's class is studying the letter "A" and they are using apples as their theme. I had actually started this project before school starts and was going to save it for teacher appreciation, but decided to give it to Anthony's teacher this week (since my theme was apples also).

I made a reusable lunch tote with an apple print with navy background on front and back and then for interest, I used navy and tan gingham for the sides (and the inside lining). I embroidered the teacher's name on it in white.

Then I decided to fill the bag with apple items. I got some hand soap from Bath & Body Works (apple scented), I found some apple print typing paper (not shown), a book of prayers for teachers (the cover has an apple on it), I crocheted an apple slice tawashi and an spiral apple tawashi and a regular dishcloth to match the tawashis, I added the apple that I crocheted here, some stickers with apples and pencils and A+'s, and some post cards with apples (the front of the post card said 'A Note from Your Teacher').

Anthony took it to his teacher today (the first day back from fall break).