What Teachers Really Want for Teacher Appreciation

I’ve recently been looking at teacher appreciation ideas, and the consensus when you ask teachers what they really want as a teacher appreciation gift, they say gift cards.

It makes sense, because any teacher who has been teaching for very long probably has more than their fill of teacher related art and gifts, and gifts of junk food aren’t always appreciated (and with dietary restrictions might not even be something the teacher can eat).

If you can find out their favorite coffee shop or even just give them a gift card to Target or Wal-mart so they can choose to buy something special for themselves where they are already shopping, it’s sure to be appreciated.

That said, you don’t have to just hand them a gift card. You can make it a little more fun with a creative presentation, such as making an origami envelope (here’s a tutorial from Origami Spirit) or another kind of gift card holder like these from Make and Takes. Add some drama by putting it in an origami gift box; find instructions at The Spruce.

You could also have your child make some art to present to the teacher related to something they did in class or just a thank you for being a great teacher.

Another great thing you can do is not just give a gift card but include a note of thanks, sharing what it has meant for your child to have that teacher. A written note is great, but it’s also wonderful to send an email and copy their direct supervisor, especially if you have specific praise about how that teacher went above and beyond for your kid.

These are easy things to do last-minute for teacher appreciation or the last day of school, which is great because who needs more to do this time of year?

[Photo: Make and Takes.]

Last month I shared a collection of beach crafts that used items from the beach like seashells and sand. This month’s collection is all about beach animals and things you might see at the beach that don’t require beachy materials to make. In fact you’ve probably got what you need to make most of these beach crafts in your house already.

How about paper plates? With a paper plate you can make this cute watercolor seashell from The Educator’s Spin on It, or an adorable seagull like this one from Glued to My Crafts.

Add some white beans and you can make paper plate sand dollars like Crafts by Amanda. Or use a paper plate as a frame for a sweet beach scene like this crab and turtle one from Artsy Craftsy Mom, which includes a downloadable template and instructions to make it super easy.

Or grab a paper plate and some bubble wrap to make a jellyfish like this one from Happy Toddler Playtime. If you have paper bowls instead of plates, you can also make a jellyfish from one of those, like Natural Beach Living did.

Use your stash of craft sticks and googly eyes to make crabs, fish, sharks and more with this craft idea from The Keeper of the Cheerios.

I love this little crab made with a cardboard tube from Hunny I’m Home. With this same idea I’ll bet you could make lots of different creatures.

Grab some construction paper to make the loopy tentacles on this watercolor jellyfish from Craftsy Hacks. Or make a stained glass jellyfish like this one from Life Anchored.

Make easy puffy paint to make these fun fluffy starfish from I Heart Crafty Things, or use cupcake liners to make cute little crabs (also from I Heart Crafty Things).

Turn an old pool noodle into some super cute fish with this tutorial from Happy Toddler Playtime.

And if you’ve got some leftover yarn lying around, make pompoms and turn them into turtles like these from Craftsy Hacks. (And check out my post on different ways to make pompoms if you need a refresher!)

Have you read?

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