Monday, February 7, 2011

More Teacher Gifts

If you’ve been here before, you know I’m not all too excited about the teacher gifts we must give throughout the year. You know, the ones that have to be clever and useful and clever and useful? A couple of years ago, I made these but I was looking for something a little different this year.

teacher gift

You ever been to Michaels after Christmas? Hello! Lots of little trinkets for mere change. Change, I tell ya! I found these little recipe boxes for .40 cents a piece. I sat on ‘em for a couple months (not literally—that would be unnecessary) until I could figure out what I wanted to do with them.

recipe box

I searched through my scrapbook supplies to see if I could Valentine these up a bit. It is my firm belief that pretty packaging can fool the recipient into thinking they got a really great gift. That’s what I do. I fool.

Valentine gift

Since these pretty boxes currently sit empty, I’m hoping my belief stands strong.

Valentine's teacher gift

I’ve got some plans brewing for what will go inside. As soon as I figure that out, I’ll let you see! Regardless, it’s a pretty cute presentation for .40 cents, no?

teacher gifts

With a change of the tag(s), the boxes go from Valentiney to every day-y. Clever? Check. Useful? Check. Empty and pointless? Check check. Don’t you worry…I’ll figure something out.Teacher Valentine gift

I am currently perusing through 335 links from Show and Share Day. Say what?? I’m seeing some fanTAStic projects, and I can’t wait to highlight some of them. I’ll be back!

24 comments:

Hazel said...

I'm in the UK and teachers presents for Valentines day is not something that's reached us. Yet.

The boxes look fab though, and I like the fact they're not too pink and Valentine-y so they can be used at other times of the year. Good thinking!

luckymama said...

I really like your blog and think your projects are great. I wanted to let you know though, today when I read about the teacher gifts I was a little taken aback by the words "I'm not all too excited about the teacher gifts we must give throughout the year". I am a teacher, and just wanted you to know that there is no need to send anything. I'm not sure where you got the idea that you MUST send something. We do our jobs. We get paid. It is not a necessity to give gifts as well. That is a choice some parents make. If you don't like to send gifts to your kids' teachers, then you shouldn't. If you are giving a gift out of obligation, then it probably is something you could stop doing. No one is going to treat your kids badly because they didn't walk in with a present. I hope my words don't come across as harsh. They aren't meant to be. I'll still be checking in on your blog because I think your ideas are great. Have a Happy Valentine's Day.
Michelle

KLM said...

I have never thought of giving presents to teachers on Vday... what cute ideas though! :)

Kelli W said...

Those boxes are adorable! I need to work on teachers' gifts, but first we have to finish the kiddos Valentines for their classmates!!

Le said...

These little soap bottles are just the cutest...fabulous idea:)

Molly @ A New Nest said...

As a teacher, I want to second what luckymama said. You don't HAVE to give gifts for holidays. Admittedly I teach high school and gifts are few and far between for high school teachers, but I would never EXPECT a gift from my students (or their parents/families).

I won't lie, it's nice to know you're appreciated, but a gift every holiday is a bit much. Maybe just Christmas OR during Teacher Appreciation Week (which falls in April or May?).

Regardless, a little suggestion from a teacher as far as what to put in the box - snacks. Especially something that will hold up for a while that the teacher can hold on to until that rumble in your stomach arises. Those little Crystal Light tubes for bottles of water are GREAT and things like Quaker Chewy bars for a pick-me-up at the end of the day and when staying late to grade work. There's usually a microwave in the building, so popcorn is also nice to have on hand.

Just a thought - the boxes look adorable.

Rachelle said...

Love 'em. Everyone needs more cute boxes and baskets in their life if you ask me. :) But, I will say those hand sanitizers still make me all warm and fuzzy.. I just love them.

Hope you and your Mom are doing good! Thinking about ya. xo

Rachelle

Anonymous said...

FABULOUS idea! Love it! Can't wait to see what you come up with to put inside! :)

Chris said...

Hi Michelle,

I tried to respond in an e-mail, but you don't make it available. I wanted to let you know that I am also a teacher. Therefore, your worry about my intentions are really unwarranted. It was simply a joke about how my district works. Please feel free to e-mail me if you want to discuss it further. It certainly wasn't meant to offend.

Sharon @ Decorating is bliss said...

Chris, I love your teacher gift ideas and the fact that you are a teacher gives you the advantage of seeing the gifts from both sides of the fence. Keep up the good work...everybody needs a cute box to put stuff in!

I hope your mom is doing better!
Sharon

Sarah said...

you are just presh! I love your writing style and super cute posts :)

stellaandgray.blogspot.com

~Mommy+Me~ said...

Very cute! I have an idea for what to put in them. One year for my daughter's teacher I did a teacher survival kit. I put things like antibacterial gel, chocolate, mints, post it notes, etc. I picked up things that were fairly inexpensive at places like the dollar store or Big Lots.

Unknown said...

Adorable. Will be featuring on my blog tomorrow if that's okay!

willowbird35 said...

I only did a teacher gift at Christmas when my children were really young (like kindergarten - second grade). I never gave gifts for every holiday either. That would get too expensive. Plus, it taxes my brain to come up with something that often. I was raised to write thank you notes for everything (birthday gifts, christmas gifts, etc.). If I were a teacher, I'd get tired of writing the thank you notes! LOL... seriously... I bet if you didn't give a gift, the teacher wouldn't mind at all. - Karen

Connie said...

Love, LOVE the boxes! We've decided to bake & decorate sugar cookies this year. I've come across the perfect recipe for sugar cookies as proof by having to bake 4 batches over the weekend because the tropps keep eating them!

. said...

I love the boxes!! I can't wait to see what you decide to put in them.

I also think that cute presentation and wrapping make a gift seem more impressive that it probably is on it's own. :)

Melinda said...

The boxes look great!

Great ideas from the others.

Melinda

Nesha said...

Absolutely great ideas! And by the way, I am a teacher, and I say, "KEEP THE GIFTS COMING!"
There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with being appreciated by your students. My heart is always warmed when a student brings me a trinket, a card, a coffee mug...it means that THOUGHT of you. And it is nice to be THOUGHT of, no matter what your profession. I totally understand where you are coming from...Keep it real, girl!

Ann said...

Those boxes looks so cute...
Actually, I am looking for something to give my son's teachers. I'm still gonna look in your blog for other ideas:)
Thanks...

Unknown said...

I hope your mom is doing well!! As a teacher I totally appreciate gifts ; o ) I made the hand sanitizer bottles last year and may do that again this year for my kid's teachers.

Comeca Jones said...

Sooo sweet

Comeca Jones said...

Sooo sweet

Unknown said...

very cute and for .40 it's great! you could put some of your favorite recipes inside? or some blank thank you's they could use. just a thought! have a great week! susan

Richella Parham said...

These are great, Chris! I just love it when you give Teacher Gift advice. I figure that, since you're a teacher, you'd know what a teacher would like. And your projects are always DOable! I appreciate your sharing your great ideas with us.

As for those recipe boxes? Darling. Can't wait to see what you do with them! I was just thinking this would be a great gift for a new bride, especially if it were filled with good recipes.

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