Create-Celebrate-Explore

Teacher Gift: A Helping Hand

It's Friday, which means we are at the end of Teacher Appreciation Week at school.  Today's letter is 'H', which was for homemade gifts.

I like to follow rules to a certain extent, but let's face it, most of my gifts throughout the week were homemade to one degree or another.

So for 'H' I decided to lend a 'Helping Hand'.  The class have reading buddies at a local middle school, and the teacher asked me to come up with a fun craft project using lollipops that the kids could make and give to their reading buddies to thank them for spending so much time reading with them throughout the school year.

So I made these superhero lollipops:

And then I spent some time in the classroom teaching the kids how to make one for each of their reading buddies.

They were really simple to make.

Teacher Gift: Classroom Supplies Cake

Today's Teacher Appreciation Week letter is 'C'. It was suggested that this be for candy or chocolate, but unless you know your child's teacher really well I would avoid giving candy or chocolate as they may have allergies, or simply might not like sugary treats.

Instead, I opted to go sugar-free with our gift today.

I asked the kids which items they use most in class and which ones they thought the teacher was running low of.  Aside from the items I used above they also suggested colored pencils and Elmer's glue sticks.

The inside of the cake is three storage containers in assorted sizes.

Teacher Gift: Apple Gift Card Holder

I'm feeling a little like Sesame Street this week.

Today's letter (and teacher appreciation gift) is 'A' for apple. 

I made a fun gift card holder into the shape of an apple.

Teacher Gift: Pencil Vase

Today's teacher appreciation week gift begins with the letter 'E' for educational.  We were asked to provide school supplies to the teacher if possible. 

I was inspired by this post from Happy Clippings that I had seen floating around Pinterest.

Miss M and I went to Staples and she showed me the pencils they use for writing in the classroom.  We picked up a box of 48 for under $6.

Teacher Gift: Apple Bag

The kids are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week at school this week. Just like last year, they are celebrating with the word TEACH. So throughout this week I'll be sharing what we gave to the teacher each day.

Today is 'T' for Thank you.

We decided on a simple burlap bag filled with apples for today's gift. We wrapped cord around it and stamped the words

Delicious Pairings: A Last-Minute Gift Idea

Looking for a delicious treat to surprise a neighbor, teacher, or friend this holiday season?  Try a delicious pairing of Starbucks Holiday Blend and Walmart's 'The Bakery' baked goods.  Don't forget to buy some for yourself too, the coffee and bakery item really do make a delicious pair, and a perfect brunch.

In a small tray, basket, or box add a package of Starbucks Holiday Blend coffee, with a re-usable travel mug, a gift box containing a yummy treat such as The Bakery Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls, and a napkin.

Wrap your cinnamon roll in a sheet of wax paper, place inside a gift box and tie with baker's twine.  Add a hand-knit coffee cozy to the travel mug for a more personal touch.

Tutorial: Knit Travel Mug Cozy

Materials

• Yarn in 2 colors.  I used Impeccable Loops & Thread yarn in True Gray and Aqua
• Size 4 needles
• Large darning needle and regular sewing needle
• Embroidery thread
• 2 buttons

To make:

1. Cast on 50 stitches using color 1.
2. Begin by using stockinette stitch (knit first row, purl second row, repeat) for the first 4 rows.
3. Change to color 2.
4. Continue in stockinette stitch until color 2 measures approximately 2 inches, end with a purl row.
5. Switch back to color 1.
6. Repeat as for the beginning of the coffee cozy using stockinette stitch for 4 rows.
7. Cast off.
8. Turn the coffee cozy to the reverse side.  Place your needle through one of the stitches just below color 1, and about 2 stitches in.  Cast on 20 stitches.  Cast off.  Using the large darning needle, attach the end to the coffee cozy to make a loop. 
9. Repeat above underneath the first loop.
10. Sew two buttons onto the other side of the coffee cozy (on the right side)
11. Tie up all of the loose ends.

Next time  you are at Walmart look for the Delicious Pairings signage which offers recommendations for pairing Starbucks coffee with The Bakery items, unfortunately the signage wasn't available in my store, but you will know it when you see it.

 

Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™. #CBias #SocialFabric #DeliciousPairings