Fantastic Ways to Celebrate the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL... class treats, teacher gift idea, and my favourite traditions

The last day of school is an important milestone, and it's definitely something to be celebrated. Today, I have some fantastic ways to mark the occassion. I have ideas for inexpensive treats kids can share with their classmates, a unique (and useful) teacher gift idea, and two of my favourite last day of school traditions.

Class Treats - Kids spend a lot of time with their classmates, so it's nice to bring them treats on the last day.

How cute are these stainless steel sraws with the cute tags I designed? You can also use the "silly straws" you can get at the dollar store.

To download the tags I designed: click on one of the pictures below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a 4x6 photo.

Then, use an x-acto knife to cut slits, and insert the straw.

Another fun option is to package up ice cream cones with "splash balls". It's adorable, right? You can pair it with a "I had a BALL having you in my class" tag or a "Have a SWEET summer" tag.

To download the tags I designed: click on one of the photos below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

These tags are also cute paired with individually packaged homemade cookies.

Freezies are also perfect for summer, and they are adorable when you add the cute tag I designed.

To download the tag I designed: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print like a regular 4x6 photo.

Teacher Gift - Kids love to bring their teachers something they made on the last day of school, and this is a great idea. Use the recipe here to fill a jar with cookie mix. Then, add the tag I designed. Cute, right?

To download the tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Traditions - I've never really given my kids "grading gifts". Instead, when they were little, they got books to read over the summer. Then, when they got older, we started doing gift cards. We always have a "gift card day" during the summer where we drive around town redeeming gift cards, and it's a lot of fun.

We also have a tradition of going for ice cream on the last day of school. Check out the fun photos (below) of my boys over the years.

AND my absolute FAVORITE tradition is making "finish lines" for my boys to run through every year. I just use a roll of paper and some sharpies.

Here's our FIRST one... when my oldest was in grade primary. This year, he graduations high school. I have no idea where the time goes!

Here's the one I made for my boys last year. I love a tradition, don't you?

Check out the video I made (below) for more details and a closer look at all these ideas.

How do you celebrate the last day of school? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Cookie Jar Teacher Gifts... with free printable gift tags

I love the idea of kids making gifts for their teachers, don't you? What is better than a handmade gift and card from a child? This is a tasty alternative to candles and mugs! Keep reading because today I am sharing the recipe and instructions for making this adorable cookie mix in a jar.

1) You'll need to start with a clean 1L mason jars.

2) Then, you'll need to layer the ingredients below (patting down each layer before adding the next one):

First layer: 1 3/4 cups flour, 3/4 tsp baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon salt
Second layer: 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
Third layer: 1/2 white sugar
Fourth layer: 1 1/2 cups quality, semi-sweet chocolate chips

To make the process easy: use a wide-mouthed funnel to fill the jars, and make a tool to press down the layers. I attached a round piece of cardboard to the end of skewer and covered it all with tin foil.

3) Then, print off the cookie tag below, cut it to look like a tag, and attach it to the cookie jar with twine. 

To download the tag: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print.

Here is one that my son made. Isn't it cute?

And to make the gift a little extra special for your favourite teacher, you can attach a "A SWEET treat for a SWEET teacher!" tag.

To download the tag I designed: click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

What teacher wouldn't love this adorable personalized treat?

This would be a fantastic teacher gift for the first day of school, last day of school or Christmas. Kids will love making it, and teachers will love receiving it! Give it a try and let me know what you think.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Punny End of Year Teacher Gift Ideas... with free printable tags

Special teachers deserve a thoughtful year end gift, and skincare products are a great choice. They are useful and extra fun when they are packaged with the tags I designed.

I love the idea of gifting all natural bath bombs or lip balms.

To download the tags, I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

How cute is this little package of lip balm with the "You are the balm!" tags?

And what could be cuter than this package of bath bombs with the "You are the bomb!" tags?

To make your favourite teacher feel extra pampered, you could also include a gift card for a bottle of wine, a spa, or a restaurant. What would you add to make this gift special?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

First Day of School Class Treats

The first day of school is a big deal for kids, and it is an occasion that deserves to be celebrated. For this reason, I have always loved sending my boys back to school with treats for their teachers and classmates. Today, I am sharing some of our favourite ideas for first day of school class treats (for both classmates and teachers).

When it comes to treats for classmates, I like to find something that is simple and inexpensive. Then, I "up" the cute factor by adding a funny tag. Here are some of the trinkets and treats my boys' have shared:


Dollar store glasses - These colourful classes are super-cute, and I love the "I am really LOOKING forward to having you in my class!" tag that you can download for free here. 

Colourful pencils, pens, or markers - Something bright and cheerful to write with makes a practical first day of school treat. Just attach it to the "Let's start the year off WRITE!" tag that you can download for free here. 

"excel" gum - Gum is a great treat for older children to share with their friends. I love the idea of attaching a punny note that says, "We are going to have an 'EXCEL'lent year!" You can download the gift tags I designed (for free) here.  

Cookies - If school nutrition policies are not a concern, these packages of peanut-free cookies make a sweet treat. You can make it extra special by stapling "Happy first day of school to one smart COOKIE!!" tags to the tops of the bags. Get your FREE printable tags here. 

Goldfish - Little bags of crackers are inexpensive and easy to share, and they become a fun treat if you add a cute "o-FISH-ally wishing you a fantastic first day of school!" tag that you can download for free here.

LEGO crayons - Recycle last year's broken crayons, and make a unique gift to share with classmates. It's a great way for kids to "BUILD" new friendships. Read more here. 

Don't forget to bring a first day of school gift for the teacher too. Here are a couple of inexpensive gifts that my boys' have shared:


First day of school survival kit - Fill a fun container with chocolate, advil, coffee gift cards, hand sanitizer, etc... It's a cute gift that is useful too! Download the free printable tags here. 

Handmade pencil holder - I love the idea of a child crafting a gift for their teacher. You can give it on its own, or you can fill it with chocolate or markers. You can find the instructions for making this cute gift here.

You can download "A SWEET treat for a SWEET teacher!" tags here.

And a jar of cookie mix makes a useful teacher gift too... and you can get the directions and FREE printable gift tags here.

And, you can download, "MARK my words, we are going to have a great year!" tags here.

Sharing inexpensive treats on the first day of school is a wonderful way to start a new. Happy "back to school" everyone!

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Crayon Holder Teacher Gift

I love the idea of kids making simple gifts for their teacher on the first day of school, don't you? It really is a nice way to start a new school year. Today, I am sharing a few options for easy and inexpensive handmade gifts children can make for their teachers. I'm even including some adorable (and FREE) printable gift tags.

The base of the gifts is this colourful crayon wrapped pencil holder. I purchased a pencil holder from the dollar store for $1.50 and a box of 64 crayons at Walmart for $2.97 (and didn't use the whole box). Then, my son use hot glue to attach the crayons (one-by-one) to the outside of the container.

The glue is hot, so adult supervision is definitely required. For younger children, adults can do the gluing, and the kids can just pick out which crayon should be attached next.

Then, you can fill the container with tasty treats or a gift card for coffee. You can wrap the container and add a card that says, "Wishing you a SWEET start to the school year!" or "First Day of School Survival Kit".

To download the tags below: click on the desired picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

You could also fill the container with Sharpie markers and add a tag that says, "MARK my words. We are going to have a fun year!" or "A little something to keep you SHARP on the first day of school."

To download the tags below: click on the desired picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

All of these first day of school teacher gifts are easy to make, and the supplies are inexpensive to purchase. Heading back to school with a handmade teacher appreciation gift really is a wonderful way to start the year off right.

♥ 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (You may also want to check out this Facebook Live we did showing how to make this gift. We also shared some of our other favourite first day of school traditions.)

And this if fun too!!!

"Sweet" Treat Teacher Gift Idea... with free printable tags

A year is a long time to spend with a someone, and every year, kids build a special relationship with their teachers. So, on the last day of school, it's important for kids to give their teachers a nice handwritten note or card and a little gift of appreciation. Today, I am sharing the easy and inexpensive gift that my boys' will be giving their teachers this year, and I'm including the FREE printable tags I designed.

My middle son insisted that we get his teacher something chocolatey, so when I saw these little "bake a cake in a mug" packages, I knew I had to include one in her gift. I added a microwave save mug with a lovely message, and a gift card for coffee.

Then, I designed some fun and "punny" gift tags. There are three DIFFERENT versions, so you can pick the one you like the best. All three work well with this gift.

To download the tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

I wrapped the gift in cellophane, added the tag my son chose, and tied it up with some curling ribbon.

Isn't it cute? And if you have limited budget, you could leave out the gift card. I love that this gift is inexpensive, useful, and fun. I know my boys are excited to give it to their special teachers, and I hope they think of my boys when they enjoy it during their summer break.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)