This year for teacher appreciation week we will be giving each teacher a “days of the week” pill box filled with little treats and sayings. I found the pill boxes at the dollar store.
You may download the sayings if you like –
(I didn’t use the “We are lucky to have you for a teacher” saying. It would go nicely with a lottery ticket!)
Fabric covered tacks fill one of the compartments to tell them they are sharp!
I used Jessica Jones’ fabulous instructions to make the fabric covered thumbtacks
Some purchased colorful clips fill the next compartment
Next up marble magnets
These are simple to make with glass gems (floral department at the craft store), E600 craft adhesive, a 3/4 inch hole punch, 3/4 inch magnets and decorative scrapbook paper, wrapping paper and or magazine scraps. First punch out a circle and glue it to the back of the glass gem. I removed air bubbles by moving paper in a circular motion to distribute glue evenly and then pressing hard. Allow to set. Next glue the magnet to the back of your papered gem. I found it necessary to sort my glass gems to find the largest ones with no scratches or imperfections. If your glass gems are smaller try using a 1/2 inch hole punch and 1/2 inch magnets.
A measuring tape tells our teacher that they really measure up
Change for the soda machine fills another compartment
Small little post-it notes (the kind for marking a page) just fit to say, “Just a note to let you know we think you are a wonderful teacher!”
Some mints to say thank you
Wrapped all up with a little gift tag that reads:
A daily gift for all you do,
Teaching my child each day through.
Making a difference without taking a rest,
As a teacher, you’re one of the best!
teacher-appreciation-gift-tag-for-pill-box
Hopefully our teachers will feel appreciated each day!
As a teacher of 10 years, I have to say that when any of my students bring me a gift, ANY gift I am soooo appreciative! 🙂 I teach high school, and as a rule students don’t tend to give as many gifts to their teachers, so each and every gift is a treasure! I absolutely love this idea!! Thanks for sharing it!
This is an adorable idea…and it’s funny to me that a teacher who thinks this is “cheap” or “cheesy” is also someone who never hears anything but complaints from parents…hmmmmm……Anyway, thanks for the idea, and I’m a teacher of 19 years; I would LOVE this 🙂
I frequent many blogs and have read many comments that I found to be in poor taste, but have never felt compelled to comment myself. Until now. I teach second and third grade and am appalled at some of the comments written by fellow teachers. Shame on them. No one should be made to feel bad about giving a gift of appreciation. Seriously? You are telling people how you want to be appreciated? Is that the message that you share with the children in your care? I’ve been teaching for 20 years and have opened more than my fair share of mugs and apple related gifts – each one delivered by a beaming child. Families are busy and stressed out – i welcome any token of appreciation. Let’s all be grateful for the tokens of kindness shown us.
I am a teacher who works in a school with 100% low income students – I would be happy to receive ANY gifts from my parents and students!
In my 6 years of teaching, I can count on one hand the number of gifts I’ve received, but there is no excuse for being ungrateful for any gift given by a child! This gift would not only take a lot of time and effort, it provides things that all teachers use on a daily basis and cute versions of them!
I would be proud to receive this from a child who had taken the time and effort to create simply for me!
Wow. I’ve been teaching for 18 years [high school] and am grateful for each and every gift I’ve ever received – especially the handmade ones.
I thought this idea was great and would use everything except the quarters [I’m an Aussie!]
Those who have made harsh comments about this gift are obviously spoiled and probably work in fee-paying schools where rich kids give them gift cards to exclusive boutiques.
Seriously, people, didn’t anyone ever teach you that if you can’t say anything nice [especially to a stranger] then just shut the hell up?!
Love that idea. I would love to get this box of appreciation! And I am so disciplined that I would really only open each day as it happens. I’m such a dork!!
This is so creative! I love it. Great tutorial too, I always appreciate pictures and downloadables. You’ve taken all of the work out of it. 🙂
I really love this idea. I taught for 10 years and I have been a stay at home mom for the last 10 years…so I have been on both sides of the classroom. I know my children’s teachers well enough to know that they would think this was a darling idea. If you think you have a teacher who is going through a rough year (financially or emotionally) maybe a parent could tailor the gift and lean more towards a grocery store gift card etc. But for the most part I can’t imagine too many teachers who woudln’t say…”wow…someone really put a lot of creative thought, time and energy into this whimsical gift.”
I have been a teacher for 16 years and I absolutely love this idea. You teachers who have posted negatively about this are RUDE. I receive joy from seeing my students’ faces every day. This gift would hands down make my day.
Cindy-keep those wonderful ideas coming! This craft took A LOT of thought so poo-pooh to the haters out there who criticize it. People read your blog to get wonderful ideas to share out of love. Period. If they don’t like what they read, then they should click the “x” button and go on. Whether you’re a teacher or not, any kind of gift should be appreciated. We should all be so lucky to get a macaroni necklace 🙂 Your blog is wonderful!
Hey Cindy! I just wanted to let you know that I featured this gift idea today on my blog! I’m doing a whole series of Teacher Appreciation Ideas and I thought this was so cute! I AM A TEACHER and I LOVED THE THOUGHT OF THIS!!!
So, great job!!
I’d love it if you stopped by my blog and had a look around! http://leightheo.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for all of your inspiration! Please, please, please keep it coming!
I just stumbled upon your site. Love this idea! I look forward to checking out the rest of your site!
“Teacher Appreciation” day is next week at my son’s school. I was planning on doing something fun and practical. After reading some of these responses from teachers … it may not be worth the effort. I might just send a note and gift card. I agree that one can only get so many mugs, but one can always put a plant, candy, toothbrushes or whatever in the mug. What I am saying is … gosh … how sad to feel this way. Life can be so hard as it is without enjoying the “little” things.
thank you for all the great ideas!
Okay! I like others am embarrassed to call myself a teacher after some of the comments written. What is your motivation people? Are you REALLY teaching to be “rewarded” with words or gifts? Come on. If someone gives you a gift, macaroni necklace, cute pill box craft, note on crumpled paper or otherwise…BE APPRECIATIVE! How about people donating to a charity or a book to the local library if you feel the NEED to be given something for your exemplary work (that’s sarcasm). I say carry on OH CRAFTY ONE! These are cute and shame on others for poo-pooing it. That is ridiculous!
As a teacher myself, I can say a gift like this would tug at my heartstrings. Ellie, much of what you say abot writing notes and heartfelt sentiments to a teacher is correct — there is never a substitution for hearing and reading those words of gratitude. But the time it takes to put together a sweet gift like this is clearly filled with a lot of love and thought. ANY teacher who truly has her heart in her job would see this. That’s what Teacher Appreciation week is all about — it’s not about receiving gift cards and certificates. It’s about realizing how much what you do means to so many families.