Teacher Appreciation Week is the first full week in May – do you have your teacher’s gift yet? If you need an inexpensive teacher gift that looks amazing and will be totally useful, this dollar store teacher gift idea is perfect.
I love finding clever ways to say thank you. Let me show you everything you need to know about Teacher Appreciation Week.
Dollar Store Teacher Gift
Gifts Teachers Can Use
I used to teach Jr. High. Loved it, but struggled to smile sincerely during teacher appreciation week after opening up my 32nd ‘#1 teacher mug’. Okay maybe not 32 of them, but I got my fair share of them. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful because I know it’s the thought that counts and getting a kind gift from a teenager is pretty impressive.
Anyways, I was trying to think of something for my daughter’s teacher that could be found at the dollar store and wouldn’t be taken to the teacher’s lounge and ‘accidentally’ left there.
So how about a teacher appreciation organizer…a cute classy organizer that would be fun and functional to have on a desk.
How to Make This Dollar STore Teacher Gift:
It is easier than you think to turn dollar store vases into expensive-looking containers for office supplies!
I started out with 4 square glass ‘pots’ or vases. They were in the vase section not the mugs and glass section of the dollar store…BTW
Have you ever used the reverse of vinyl? It works as a pretty snazzy stencil. No exact-o knife needed! Using your Cricut choose your font and…perfection! Cut out your vinyl and pull the back part off (as shown). Place it where you want the letters to be etched.
I used the etchall etching cream. Say that 5 times fast. You only use a little bit, so grab a few friends and do it together! The instructions say to use gloves…I am showing you the gloves…they weren’t on my hands apparently.
With a paintbrush glob some in the vinyl letter openings. Don’t get it on any other part of the glass.
Wait for 15 minutes. Run the glass under water removing all of the glob and then pull off the vinyl. It will look really clear and I thought I did it wrong until it dried. Do you see the letter ‘e’? That one is dry. The other letters are still wet and harder to see…until they dry.
PENCILS!
Add ribbon and pencils and pens to complete this dollar store teacher gift set.
The middle one says clips and I did one that says candy. So…Pens, paper, clips, and candy, but the pictures looked cuter with just the three.
These teacher appreciation gifts would be fast and thrifty to make for your kid’s teachers. My daughter is very excited to give hers to her teacher!
SUpplies needed to make this Teacher Gift:
Just in case you can’t make it to the local dollar store I compiled a list of supplies you can order online to make this incredible teacher gift. With the options shared here, you will be able to make at least two sets of four desk organizers. (Affiliate links are included in this section)
- Cricut
- Square vase (2.36″ x 2.36″)
- Etch All – Etching Creme
- ORACAL Oramask 813 Low-Tack Stencil Vinyl Roll Bundle
- Gloves
- Paintbrush
- No. 2 pencils
- Pens
- Clips
- Ribbon
More Inexpensive Teacher Gifts
The gals from HowDoesShe? and are so thrilled to share one of their favorite Teacher Appreciation crafts with you! For more crafts, recipes, decor ideas, organization tips, and more be sure to pay them a visit.
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This is such a cute idea and my kids loved making them!
This is a great idea! I used to use etching cream and then totally forgot about it! I am definitely going to try this for the teachers this year!
Love these ideas of small gifts for our teachers without breaking the bank!
Love this project! Makes the most perfect gift. So useful.
Cindy:
Your Teacher etched containers are a great idea. I always like to receive useful gifts. Especially a hand made one. Don’t you just love the Dollar Store glassware???? I also like their mirror coaster tiles to etch.
Thank you for using etchall.
Many of your comments/questions seem to come from “how to make the stencils”…about reverse vinyl and where to get the etchall. I would appreciate if you would refer them to our site for information on making and using the stencils and getting the creme.
I know this is an old project but with school coming up it is great for right now. I would like to put it on our web site and have you as the designer. Also, I would like to send you an endorsement. Where/how????
God bless….Barbee……<
this awesome! thanks for sharing this gift idea. love those pencil jars
Love, love, love it! I just do not know where to find vinyl letters?
You can purchase any of the vinyl letters as a stick on already stenciled shaped at any of your local craft stores. I had purchased some over the summer for another craft project I was working on and plan on using them with this one. My only question is where can you purchase the etchall etching cream at?
what a great idea…would love to try it but I’m afraid I’m a bit lost as to the instructions as well
I agree, excellent idea. I think I will use it as christmas gifts for the individuals I work with (business setting.) Can I get more information on the Vinyl part?
I think she may have used a cricut machine or something similar?
I saw this on your website and thought it would be something the teachers would love. I did not know it would be so difficult to find the etchall cream or the stentils. Maybe you could be alittle clearer as to where thease products can be purchased.
Thanks,
Sharon