Teachers are wonderful human beings. They are the ones who instill in our children the tools to move forward in life. They are the ones who spend many hours per day with our precious gems

As the year draws to a close, I am sharing some teacher gift ideas you may want to consider for your favorite educator!!!

Oven Mitt Bag

Fill an oven mitt with goodies from classroom supplies like scissors and pencils to treats you know she may like. Then add a tag which says, “I have to ad-MITT you’re a great teacher.” Tie it all up with a pretty ribbon.

Personalized Wall Clock (for the more ambitious, but it’s so cute!!!)

You will need a computer, card stock, and a basic wall clock. You can design your clock face on Microsoft Word or use this template. (http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/clocks/clock/template.shtml)

Print it out on 8 ½ by 11 cardstock cutting an 8 inch circle around the center of your design. Use a small screwdriver to remove the screws on the back of the clock and trim the hour and minute hands with wire cutters to make them 1½ inches long and 2½ inches long. Set the clock hands aside.

Place the cardstock circle on top of the clock and carefully poke a hole for the center—this is so you can reattach the hands. Place small school supplies of your choice, such as broken crayons, pencil sharpeners, and erasers, paperclips, binders, etc. around the clock where the numbers would typically go and hot glue them in place Reassemble the clock, clean the glass, and your teacher will absolutely love it.

Pencil Monogram

On Microsoft Word, type the letter you want to highlight at 600 font. Then change it to outline by clicking the Format tab and select “convert to outline.” Print it on a piece of 8 x 10 piece of cardstock to use as your outline to glue. Take colored or plain pencils and sharpen them to different lengths. Glue them to the outline, filling them in to create your letter. Pop into a frame. This really looks great when finished.

Teacher “ade” Lemonade Cup

Purchase a plastic to go straw cup and some single-serve drink mixes including lemonade.

Print up cute sayings on paper or cardboard. Put a slit into them to attach to the straw after putting the cap on the cup filled with drink mixes. You can write something like: “Thanks for quenching my thirst for knowledge” or “Thanks for being a great ‘ade’ for our class.”

Summer Relaxation Bucket

Get cheap buckets from the dollar store. Write the recipient’s name on the front with a colorful marker or paint pen. Put in flip flops, magazines, suntan lotion. You can even have the kids sign the flip flops as a memento of the kids from that year!!!

Crayon Cup

Buy a cheap wired pencil holder from the dollar store. Make sure the height is that of a crayon.

Glue crayons around the perimeter covering the entire front. Fill with anything of your choice. This is a very cute useful gift.

Hand Lotion Gift

Buy two or three hand lotions and tie together with ribbon. Write a note that says,

“Hands down you’re the best teacher around.”

Plant Gift

Give a plant and write a note that says, “Thanks for helping me grow.”

Tea Gift

Put some teabags into an empty plastic water bottle or mug and write, “Thanks for being a Tea-Rific teacher.”

Desk Note Cards

Buy a set of fun note cards in a discount store. Print out a tag that says, “’Take Note,’ you are one of my favorite teachers. Thanks for a great year.”

Gail Hochman has been a Fair Lawn resident for over 30 years and has been blessed with many grandchildren.

By Gail Hochman