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Easy Homemade Teacher Gifts

Updated on May 8, 2014
BNadyn profile image

Bernadyn is a writer, blogger, and social media influencer. She writes for various publications while writing for her own blog.

Teacher Appreciation

My little boy's kindergarten year is almost over. I cannot believe how just last fall he entered his new school - we were both nervous, anxious and excited. He has grown so much these past several months, has learned a lot and experienced so many new things. He has developed so well, more than I expected, in what seems to me, such a short amount of time. His academic, emotional and social skills have expanded and I know a large amount of that are thanks to the teachers who nurture him five days out of the week at his school.

I want to show his teachers and mentors how much we appreciate them in our child's life. If you have a young child, too, here are some easy, crafty homemade gifts you can help your child to make as a gift for his teacher. I know my son will be so proud to help create a special present to give his teacher. I hope these ideas can help you, as well!

Crafty Homemade Gifts for Teachers

So many ways to show teachers you are grateful.  Kids will have fun having a hand in making a gift for their special teacher.
So many ways to show teachers you are grateful. Kids will have fun having a hand in making a gift for their special teacher. | Source

Hanging Wall Bookmark Teacher Decor

A little homemade wall decoration for a teacher's class room.
A little homemade wall decoration for a teacher's class room. | Source

A + Teacher

Your favorite teacher can display this hanging wall bookmark in his or her classroom. We used one side of a cereal box, scrapbook paper, ribbon, bottle caps, a jar lid and some faux pearl beads to create this.

  1. First, cut half of one side of a cereal box and wrap it with scrapbook paper. This scrapbook paper is the design of a cork board, so I thought it went well with the class room theme. You can find scrapbook paper that looks like a chalkboard or notebook paper for good class room designs.
  2. Next, attach the ribbon at the top, using hot glue to glue it at the back. You can also tie it by punching in holes with a hole puncher and tying the ribbon through the loops.
  3. I used black construction paper to fill the insides of the bottle caps and jar lid. Place letter stickers inside to write the message of your choice. We decided to go with, "A + Teacher."
  4. Hot glue the lids to the paper.
  5. Add extra embellishments to outline the sides, such as faux pearls, lace, buttons, etc.
  6. Carefully place this in a box that fits it nicely without damaging it. You can gift this to the teacher along with a handmade card from the student or new desk supplies.


"For a Tea-rific Teacher"

Personalize a glass mug using glass paint.  Use a stencil to trace with if you don't want to use free hand.  I added the dots with the eraser tip of a pencil.  Attach a tag that says, "For a Tea-rific Teacher."
Personalize a glass mug using glass paint. Use a stencil to trace with if you don't want to use free hand. I added the dots with the eraser tip of a pencil. Attach a tag that says, "For a Tea-rific Teacher." | Source

"Thanks a Latte for Teaching Me"

Use a permanent marker like a Sharpie to write a message on the mug.  I used a stencil for this, as well.  I attached a red apple tag that I drew and cut myself and wrote, "A + Teacher" or you can write, "Thanks a latte for teaching me."
Use a permanent marker like a Sharpie to write a message on the mug. I used a stencil for this, as well. I attached a red apple tag that I drew and cut myself and wrote, "A + Teacher" or you can write, "Thanks a latte for teaching me." | Source

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Personalized Mugs and Cups for Teacher Gifts

Who doesn't like a personalized coffee or tea mug? Is your teacher a coffee or tea lover? Most teachers need that boost of caffeine to teach those young minds! Personalize a mug and fill it with goodies, including:

  • Brand new pencils, pens, highlighters, markers, scissors, etc.
  • A box of tea or bag of coffee
  • A gift card to a coffee shop or a store so they can buy more tea, coffee or school supplies
  • Treats to go along with their drink, like scones or biscotti

You can also let your child use different colored Sharpies to draw or write their own picture or message on the mug. Bake it in the oven afterward at 350 degrees for about ten minutes so it won't wash off later.

"Thanks for Helping Me Grow This Year"

A small pot of flowers is a great gift for a teacher to place on their desk or take home.  Trace your child's hand to make paper petals for a flower and add paper leaves.  Glue them on a popsicle stick, bamboo skewer or straw for the stem.
A small pot of flowers is a great gift for a teacher to place on their desk or take home. Trace your child's hand to make paper petals for a flower and add paper leaves. Glue them on a popsicle stick, bamboo skewer or straw for the stem. | Source

"Thanks for the Helping Hand This Year"

A plate with a child's hand print is a wonderful way to show the teacher you appreciate their helping hand in your child's education.
A plate with a child's hand print is a wonderful way to show the teacher you appreciate their helping hand in your child's education. | Source

"Hands Down, You're the Best Teacher Around"

My son made this plate last year in preschool. This is a nice gift to display in the home, office or classroom.

Have the child dip their entire hand in paint and carefully place the hand on a plate. Allow to dry. Add a plate stand to this gift to let the plate stand. You can write the child's name and year on the plate or include the message, "Hands down, you're the best teacher around."


"Sweets for a Sweet Teacher"

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Bake up some sweets if it's not against school policy to give as teacher gifts.  You can buy store-bought treats, too or just put ingredients to the recipe and attach directions on how to bake it.  Add tag with sweet message!An easy sweet and salty gift that kids will have fun making are chocolate-covered popcorn for a poppin' teacher.  Let them help drizzle melted chocolate (like candy melts) over popped popcorn.
Bake up some sweets if it's not against school policy to give as teacher gifts.  You can buy store-bought treats, too or just put ingredients to the recipe and attach directions on how to bake it.  Add tag with sweet message!
Bake up some sweets if it's not against school policy to give as teacher gifts. You can buy store-bought treats, too or just put ingredients to the recipe and attach directions on how to bake it. Add tag with sweet message! | Source
An easy sweet and salty gift that kids will have fun making are chocolate-covered popcorn for a poppin' teacher.  Let them help drizzle melted chocolate (like candy melts) over popped popcorn.
An easy sweet and salty gift that kids will have fun making are chocolate-covered popcorn for a poppin' teacher. Let them help drizzle melted chocolate (like candy melts) over popped popcorn. | Source

More Easy Gift Ideas for Teachers from Students

Write a letter to teacher of favorite things they learned
Write a poem about teacher
Write a special moment that child remembers from the school year
Write a short story about teacher
Write some reasons why teacher is special
Write a song about teacher
Draw a picture of teacher and student
Make a flip book about teacher or favorite moments in the school year

Homemade Magazine or File Holder Gift

Partially cut down one side of the box, then, back up on that line toward the other side using a diagonal cut.  Do the same on the other side.  Wrap with wrapping paper.  Fill with notepads, stationery paper or books.
Partially cut down one side of the box, then, back up on that line toward the other side using a diagonal cut. Do the same on the other side. Wrap with wrapping paper. Fill with notepads, stationery paper or books. | Source

"A Can of Love"

Have your child draw a small picture for the teacher or use art work they created in their art class. This is even sweeter if the gift is for the art teacher. We wrapped blue construction paper around the can, then glued the picture of the rainbow my son made in art class. Fill the can with love! You can include brand new desk or art supplies.

Gift a Heartfelt Can Filled with New Supplies

A can with child's artwork and some new desk or art supplies will be a welcome gift to any teacher.
A can with child's artwork and some new desk or art supplies will be a welcome gift to any teacher. | Source

Video on Teachers Writing a Letter to Themselves

Teacher Appreciation Week

As the school year draws to a close and since this week is Teacher Appreciation Week, it is the perfect time to show the teachers in your lives how much they are appreciated. They are role models, mentors and guides in our children's lives. A gift, whether store-bought or homemade lets them know their efforts, patience and love for your children are truly appreciated.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all the teachers out there!


©BNadyn 2014

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