Teacher Appreciation Week always sneaks up on me, so I’ve gathered five budget friendly and easy DIY gifts that you can throw together in 20 minutes or less. These supplies are locally available at Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Jo-Ann's, Dollar Tree, Walmart and Target, as well. I also created free printable gift tags that you can download at my Three Little Monkeys Studio blog (see sources below).
Gardening Gift
If your teacher has a green thumb, have your children help you pick out and fill a pot or container with gardening supplies. Dollar Tree’s and Target’s dollar bins are great places to find cute and inexpensive gardening supplies. I purchased all of these items at Dollar Tree for $7. Add packets of seeds, gloves, gardening supplies and maybe some sunscreen or a balm, and then finish with a fun chalkboard “Teachers plant the seeds of tomorrow” gift tag with a sweet note from your child on the back and a bit of ribbon for a finishing touch.
“A Big Heart” Art Print
For a really budget friendly gift, frame a meaningful poem or quote. This “It takes a big heart to help shape little minds” print is from my blog. I printed it on my home printer on card stock and then framed it in a dollar store frame that I painted with some white spray paint. Have your child sign the back of the frame for a personal gift.
A Tea-riffic Gift
If your child’s teacher has a favorite beverage, such as sun tea or lemonade, pack a cute drink container with the favorite items. This cute Mason jar-style cup was just $1 at Dollar Tree. Put some crinkle paper in the bottom that is the same color as the favorite beverage, pack with tea bags, packets of lemonade, etc. Add a cute tag and a bit of ribbon. In keeping with the tea theme of this gift, I added a “You are a tea-riffic teacher!” gift tag that looks like a tea bag. Just add a sweet note from your child on the back. You could even tuck in a gift card.
Gold Dipped Succulents
Succulents make wonderful gifts, because they require so little maintenance. To make these trendy gold-dipped pots, start with a long piece of tape, and press the middle section of tape down first about an inch from the bottom of the pot. As you work your way around the pot pressing the ends down from the middle, the tape will gradually go on at an angle since the pot is wider at the top than the bottom. Once your pot is taped, have your child help you paint the bottom portion of the pot in gold metallic paint that works on clay. Once dry, peel your tape off and pot your succulent. Let your child sign his name on the “Thank you for helping me grow” gift tag and tie it on with a ribbon or tie the tag onto a gold swizzle stick (pictured). The tag even has instructions for caring for the succulent on the bottom. Makes a fun and stylish gift.
Bee Basket
Every teacher deserves some pampering, so why not throw together a basket of themed beauty products? In this basket, Burt’s Bees honey products form the basis of the theme. I placed them in a wood berry basket, wrapped them with ribbon and added a free printable tag that says “You will always bee my favorite teacher” with a space to add your child’s name.
I hope these ideas inspire you to put together some fun and personal gifts!
Sources
- Mason jar cup, frame, crinkle paper, flower, garden supplies - Dollar Tree
- Succulents and terra cotta pots - Suburban Lawn & Garden
- Gold paint, ribbon - Hobby Lobby
- Burt’s Bees products - Walmart
- Free printable gift tags and art print - Three Little Monkeys Studio
- http://www.ThreeLittleMonkeysStudio.com/five-easy-teacher-appreciation-gift-ideas
Gretchen Brittain is a local stationery designer, party stylist and mom to her three young children (monkeys) who are a constant source of inspiration. Visit her at www.ThreeLittleMonkeysStudio.com for all things party!