Crafty Gifts for Teachers

The holidays are just around the corner and if you aren't careful you can spend a small fortune on gifts for all the important people in your life. Your child's teacher(s) are certainly important and you want to make sure to give them something special this holiday season to say "thanks" for all they do. However, there is no need to spend a fortune on teacher gifts.

I have taught for over fifteen years and the gifts given to me by students have always been very special no matter how small. The gifts that I have appreciated the most were the ones from the heart...gifts that were useful to me as a teacher or ones that a child made or helped make.

With that sentiment in mind, I was on a mission this year to find ideas for useful gifts that my 5 year old daughter could help me make for her teachers. After looking through some posts on Pinterest, we decided on two simple projects .My daughter was able to help with both. Here are the projects and simple instructions for each.

Personalized Clipboard

Supplies: basic clipboard, Mod Podge, scrapbook paper

Directions:

  1. Choose a piece of scrapbook paper and cut it out to match the size of the clipboard.
  2. Coat the clipboard with a thin layer of Mod Podge and the backside of the scrapbook paper as well.
  3. Place the scrapbook paper on the clipboard and press down firmly to get out any air bubbles.
  4. Let the clipboard dry.
  5. Optional: Add an initial clipped from another piece of scrapbook paper to the clipboard following steps 2-4.
  6. Apply a final coat of Mod Podge to the clipboards over the scrapbook paper to seal it.

Post-It Note Station

Supplies: 4x6 plastic photo frame, scrapbook paper, hot glue gun, Post-It notes, ribbon

Directions:

  1. Select a piece of scrapbook paper and cut it out to measure 4x6.
  2. Place the paper in the frame.
  3. Hot glue a Post-It note pad to the front of the photo frame in the center. Optional: hot glue smaller Post-It note pads to the back for more versatility.
  4. Make a bow with a piece of ribbon and glue it to the top corner of the frame.

These useful presents will put a smile on teacher's faces and give your kids a sense of pride in making something useful for their teacher(s).