I wanted to get this post up earlier to perhaps be of help to some people, but time and technology were against me. Β So today I am sharing with you what I did this year for Christmas gifts for my daughter’s teachers…and perhaps it will help you for end of the year gifts. π
Caitlyn has three teachers, so everything you see is this times three. Β I needed gift ideas that were handmade without being sewing. Β I just couldn’t do sewing this year. Actually, I think I’m finally admitting to myself that I don’t really care for sewing in December because I want to make all kinds of crafts for Christmas. Β I’m in craft mode! Β So a craftin’ I went!
I once again employed the numerous ideas of both Instagram input and Pinterest. Β Between the two sources I found enough inspiration for this year. Β Through Instagram, because I had asked about gift ideas, someone prompted me to the oh so cute idea that Vanessa Christenson of V and Co.Β came up with this year for her children’s teachers. Β The tote bags that are hand painted and lettered. I happily clicked her link to amazon to order a convenient pack of three tote bags (just the number I needed!) and used some paint pens I already had plus a sharpie and an old acrylic ruler to mark out these bags in about a half hour. Β Super cute idea and VERY doable. Β Dashed lines and calligraphy? That I can do.
Then for another part of the gift, the mug, I found inspiration from pinterest. Β I saw soooo many cute hand drawn mug ideas there and had intended to something completely different (the dotted initial style mugs if you are wondering). Β But I wasn’t happy with how mine were turning out. Β Ever the perfectionist, or at least the “I want to not be embarrassed to give these to my daughter’s teachers” mother, I found a design that was a little more “me” friendly. Β And so I ended up with snowmen and googly letters like I used to make in 7th grade. Perfect for the winter and preschool teachers.
Here is my inspiration picture and I read tons of tutorials online for the best way to make painted mugs. Β Personally I ended up using sharpie oil based paint markers, letting them dry for 24 hours and then baking them at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes.


I stuffed the mugs with chocolate, wrapped them in tissue paper, and placed them in personalized tote bags. Β I made the cards as well (I blogged about those earlier this month) and had Caitlyn write “Merry Christmas! Love, Caitlyn”. Β And I wish I had thought to grab a photo of that because her writing is comically and endearingly imperfect. Β Let’s just say that the concept of spacing her lettering is not one we agree on right now. Β She told me that she is doing it “her way”.
You reminded me of my kids with their spacing. It's always interesting to compare where I think a margin should be and where they create theirs. π
Very very sweet – thanks for sharing!
What beautiful, unique, and heartfelt gifts for deserving teachers! As a retired teacher I can promise you that homemade gifts are the most special. Thank you for all your work to show Caitlyn's teachers that they are appreciated! Merry Christmas to all of you!
I may have to do something like this for my granddaughter's teacher at Valentine's Day (only holiday I will be down there). I loved hand made gifts when I was a teacher…always so loved and cherished!