Have you ever wondered about…adding a handmade touch to teacher gifts?
This month, I am featuring and celebrating the teachers who will be leading workshops at my Maker Retreat in September. Which got me thinking about all of the other teachers who deserve recognition this time of the year (well, really ALL times of the year!).
All of a sudden the end of the school year is upon us and it’s time to show some love and appreciation for these unsung heroes of our everyday lives, shaping young minds and doling out wisdom like confetti. And let’s get real, teachers DO NOT want a salt dough wall hanging with an imprint of your kid’s hand. I always try to make sure I am giving teachers something they will like and could really use, such as a gift card for a coffee shop or bookstore. But it can be really fun to include something with a little personalized, handmade touch along with the gift, so it’s time to put on our creative caps and think outside the (gift) box. Why settle for a generic gift when you can sprinkle a little DIY magic into their world?
At WonderSpace, we’re all about celebrating the art of crafting and making, and what better way to spread the love than through handmade gifts for those who teach? We also know that life is busy and hectic and most of us do not have tons of spare time to devote to DIY. So, we’ve rounded up some easy and quick projects for teacher gifts that can be done with minimal supplies and often with items you have already laying around the house.
All of the following projects are great for kids and adults alike. Younger kids will require adult supervision for most of these, but there is definitely ample opportunity to get those little hands involved.
Personalized Tote Bags: Teachers are notorious for carting around a plethora of papers, books, and supplies. A sturdy, one-of-a-kind tote bag is both practical and stylish. I made this quick and simple tutorial for a paint-stamped tote bag, complete with a personalized touch. This would pair really well with a gift certificate to a local bookstore (my personal favorite–Third Place Books in Seward Park, Seattle!)
Customized Mugs and Tumblers: Because let’s face it, caffeine is the lifeblood of any educator. Special enamel paint or enamel paint pens are a great way to decorate ceramic or powder-coated steel mugs and tumblers. Once the item is heated in the oven for 30 minutes, the paint is permanent! Delicious and DIY has a great blog post on upgrading a simple white mug (grab one at the Dollar Store!) into something that a teacher would be proud to have sitting on their desk. Alongside this, you could gift a bag of your favorite coffee beans or a gift card to a local coffee shop.
Potato Stamping: Did you know that you can make professional looking block printed items with carved potatoes? It’s true! Check out WonderSpace’s tutorial on how to easily do this, and create a set of drawstring bags, perfect for reusable produce bags. Anything that reduces waste (and looks cute while doing it!) is a win in our book. And they would make a great gift for any teacher because everyone’s gotta grocery shop! You could find out if there is a farmers market near where the recipient lives and see if they offer gift certificates. Or a grocery card would be great here too so they can fill those bags with some fruit and veggies.
Paper Flowers: I am absolutely in love with these roses made from dyed coffee filters. The DIY magician behind these is Sibia Torres Padilla who posts super creative, sustainable and cost-friendly crafting tutorials on her Instagram page @sibster. Everything she does is so creative and special, but I especially love these flowers. You could gift these coffee filter flowers to a teacher along with a coffee shop gift card to stick with the caffeine theme!
Bookmarks: These pressed flower bookmarks from Entertain the Idea are so beautiful in their simplicity. Kids can really get involved by assisting with the placement of the flowers. This is another great DIY that could accompany a bookstore gift card.
Terrariums or Succulent Gardens: Bring a little bit of nature into the classroom with a mini terrarium or succulent garden. Not only are they easy to care for, but they also add a pop of greenery to any space. I love this cute little video from PBS kids that shows how to make a terrarium garden with a child! This DIY would be great alongside a gift card to a home improvement or local hardware store. I know I can always find useful items these places!
Those are just a few ideas to get those creative juices flowing! None of these projects will take much longer than an hour, and they all will add that little something extra to a gift for the teacher in your life.
Teachers devote their time, energy, and passion to shaping the future generation, and they deserve all the appreciation in the world. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, break out the craft supplies, and show them just how much they mean to us.
P.S. If you end up making any of these DIY gifts, we’d love to see your creations! Tag us on Instagram @wonderspaceworkshops and spread the handmade love.