DIY Appreciation Gifts for School, Work, or Friends
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My kids start school on Monday. ~takes a deep breath~ and while it will be a big day for them (and me!) it is also a big day for their teacher’s as well. Did you realize that when our kids are in school, their teachers spend more time with them during their waking hours than we do? I know we all appreciate the love and dedication they put into their jobs. I really like to bake things, but with a lot of schools no longer allowing that, I thought I’d bring you a few inexpensive thank you gifts just to show your appreciation.
These gifts are great year round, for a holiday, teacher appreciation week, first day of school, or my favorite : the no-special-reason gift. They are also great for coworkers, friends, or just anytime someone you know could use a little perking up.
Lets start with the easiest, and the only printable I’m offering that is teacher specific:
This is an updated spin on the apple (but apples are still great!). I think this one is my new favorite and of course, the least expensive. While you’re out shopping for school supplies, pick up a box of breakfast bars and print out this sheet to be ready with thoughtful little gifts to make that first day a little easier for your child’s teacher. This wrapper fits perfectly on a breakfast, granola, or snack bar. Just print the label, trim the ends a bit, and tape around your bar. See the end of this post to print these wrapper labels.
Jar Gifts
In this post I’m doing two different things with pint jars but you are limited only by your own imagination! I also have two labels to print that will work with a multitude of jar fillings and are great to use for any recipient.
Survival Kit
I asked the teachers on the Southern Plate Facebook page what they’d like to have for a welcome back gift and many of them said things like breakfast bars, drink mixes, etc, because they get so busy with the kids that they forget or simply don’t have time to eat. This is an all in one survival kit that you can easily customize.
My jar includes a granola type bar, breakfast bar, two drink mixes for bottled water, and a few peppermints. I’ve got two sets of labels to choose from below, if you’d like to print the ones I am using.
Who doesn’t need chocolate?
This is another cute little idea. Fill a jar with chocolates and attach one of the labels below to the inside of the lid. You can use any type of chocolate you like, or even their favorite candy. This is also a great “Thinking of you” gift for co-workers, moms, anyone you can think of!
For the fabric, I just traced a saucer onto some fabric and then cut out the circle.
Print my labels by clicking below. Place the jar ring around the label and trace a circle as a cutting guide.
Click here for “Sanity Preserves” Labels
Click here for “In Case Of Emergency” Labels
Click here for Teacher Bar Wrapper Labels
No matter what you decide to do or who you decide to give a “thinking of you” gift to, give it with a warm heart and it will be well received!
“What we do for ourselves dies with us.
What we do for others and the world remains.”
~Albert Pine. Submit your quote here.
Christy I know this is an older post but on teacher appreciation week i do simple things each day like 1. I attach a dumdum sucker and a roll of smarties to an index card with a note that says’ “Because of you i am a smartie and not a dumdum” 2, i put graham crackers, chocolate bars, and a couple of marshmallows in a zip bag with a note that says The world needs “s’more” teachers like you, 3. I attached a packet of drink mix to a bottle of water with a note that says “thank you for quenching my thirst for knowledge! 4. a box of mints with a note that says, “You were “MINT” to teach” 5.A snack size zip with Hersheys hugs and kisses 6. a package of lifesavers with the note ” that says in our children lives you are a lifesaver”’ 7.package of sunflower seeds with a note that says ” You plant the seeds of knowledge in our children. 8. an eraser with a note that says “Make no mistake you are an amazing teacher” 9. a take 5 candy bar with a note that says “take 5 you deserve the break.” 10. extra gum with a note that says “Thank you for going the extra mile to teach our children. This is just a few I hope it helps some one. the teachers have always loved the little thank you’s each thing is nothing very expensive
Christy, I’m a retired teacher/administrator and understand the concerns about the glass jars. I do however love glass jars and have them in many sizes in my kitchen for storage. It’s wonderful that you will be with your children their first day. I applaud you for that. Even if children know their classmates it’s a transition back to school and can be intimidating at times. If anyone wants to send the gifts to teachers/staff etc. and want their children to be able to take them on their own (because giving to others is a wonderful lesson) why not visit the dollar store and take a couple of different sized canning lids with you and see if they fit and just buy the plastic. I agree the peanut butter jars are a great idea but if you need several it would take a while to collect them. These are also a great idea for Valentines Day for giving to fellow students…just fill the jar with the treat you want to give.. make your Valentine the size that will fit on a jar lid (on top of some appropriate material. Pop the ring on the lid and tighten. The little squatty looking jars would be plenty good for a size for Valentine Treats. Actually Halloween is just around the corner… anyway…It’s a wonderful idea Christy!!
Christy needs a big hug – she inspires us all with her kindness, thoughtful ideas, and reminders about what life’s really all about. Thanks, Christy .. and {{{{{{ChristyHugs}}}}}} coming your way!
What great ideas! And I love the added one about tacks, post-its, and clips for the teachers, too. We always struggle with what to give to teachers at Christmas, and this idea works great! I’ll be cutting out the supplies, and the grandchildren will love doing this, when they come over next time to visit!
Thanks, Christy!
you always have great ideals.
Thank you so much Linda!!
I have a friend dealing with new computer software at work, I felt she needed something. This is a perfect idea. Thank you
TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY
TODAY IS A GIFT
THAT’S WHY ITS CALL THE PRESENT
GIVE YOUR TROUBLES TO GOD
HE’LL BE UP ALL NIGHT ANYWAY