Clever Gift Card Packaging (for teachers)

Teachers love gift cards... because there are only so many "#1 Teacher mugs" one person can use.  However, my boys like to give their teachers something fun... so I came up with these clever ideas for gift card packaging.

Why not find out where the teacher likes to eat, and put the gift card in a bag or box from that restaurant?  My son's teacher likes a pizza place called "The Wheel", so we put a pizza gift certificate in a pizza box, and my son added a clever note.  Cute, right?

If you know the teacher likes wine, try putting a liquor store gift card in a wine glass.  I added a few KitKat bars for some extra fun, and I attached a note that said, "Celebrate a fantastic year, and enjoy your summer break!"

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

I think a tote bag is a perfect holder for a book store gift certificate... and what teacher doesn't like books?  I even made some cute, "Thank you for being 'TOTE'ally awesome!" tags.

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

I love how these simple ideas personalize gift cards for teachers. They are thoughtful touches that add a bit of fun too!

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Easter Teacher Gift {with free printable tags}

My boys and I love their teachers, so we like to give them little treats on special occasions. This year, we put together simple Easter gift bags for our "EGGS"tra special teachers.

I placed a chocolate bunny and chocolate eggs in a clear bag. Then, I used some curling ribbon to attach a cute little tag.

To download this tag (for free): right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

This really is a simple way to recognize the special teacher in your life, and the free printable tags are sweet, don't you think?

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Teacher Totes and Tags

I adore teachers, and I love giving them gifts they can actually use. This year, I purchased some adorable tote bags for some of my boys teachers, and today I am sharing the sweet gift tags I designed to go with them.

I made a few versions of the tags, so they work for all types of teachers. This is a great gift for the last day of school, Christmas, or teacher appreciation.  

To download the tags for free: right-click on one of the pictures below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Aren't the free downloadable tags adorable?

I think this is a fantastic teacher gift, don't you?  My boys are excited to share these gifts.  What is your favorite teacher gift to give/receive?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy) cfac00aeaf0dba942083d18e93ae8c96ff7c1e8eddb9b02e36

DIY Teacher Gifts (he or she will love!)

The end of the school year is just around the corner, so now is the time to start planning a special "end of year" teacher gift for the special educator in your life.  Homemade cards, heartfelt notes, and gift cards are always excellent choices, but if your little one wants to see their teacher unwrap something (as my boys do), these options are pretty fun!

With a little help, kids can make a pencil holder for their teachers that is sure to brighten their day.  You can find the tutorial for this inexpensive gift here.

A tote bag is a pretty and practical gift... and extra fun if you add a "Have a 'tote'ally awesome summer!" gift tag.  You can download the tag for free here. 

Every teacher uses pens, and these DIY flower pens are sure to brighten his/her day.  You can find the step-by-step tutorial for making them here. 

This DIY candy bouquet is made from dollar store supplies and is filled with chocolatey goodness.  (This is a great alternative to flowers if your kids have a male teacher.)  You can find the step by step instructions for this tasty gift here.

Flowers are always a cheerful gift, but they are even nicer when you add a clever tag that says, "I couldn't have picked a better teacher!"  You can download this cute tag (for free) here.

A child's drawing is always a special gift.  My son used a sharpie to draw a picture of him and his teacher onto a canvas bag.  I then stitched over the design to make it permanent.  Using fabric markers instead of the sharpie and stitching would be a fantastic (and easier) alternative.  

Aren't these DIY teacher gifts adorable?  They make meaningful end of year teacher gifts, but they would work other times of year too. Do you have a favorite teacher gift to give or receive? I'm always looking for new ideas.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS (Here's a fun idea for the FIRST day of school!)

Simple Popsicle Stick Frame... with a button heart

I love the idea of kids making their own gifts for the special people in their lives, don't you? This popsicle stick frame is a perfect DIY gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, or a special teacher.

To make this adorable kid's craft, start by painting four craft sticks in a bright color.  Then, glue the ends together and embellish with buttons on the corners.

You can fill this frame with a child's drawing, a handprint, a meaningful photo, or this simple button heart.  To make the heart, just draw a heart on a piece of card stock and use glue and buttons to fill it.

Who would your little one make this popsicle stick frame for?

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easter Teacher Gift (with free printable tags)

I think teachers are awesome, and I think it is important for me to teach my boys to show their appreciation to these important role models whenever possible.  So, on holidays, we like to make special treats for them.  This year, I designed special tags to let my boys' teachers know that we think they are 'EGG'cellent!

Aren't easy and inexpensive DIY gifts the best?  To make these Easter teacher gifts, I bought big bags of candy-coated chocolate mini eggs and attached adorable little tags.  

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

You can use the tag as it is...

... or you can cut it out.  You can't lose because both options are adorable!

My boys are super-excited to share these sweet treats with their teachers.  Do you like to give an Easter gift to your little one's teacher?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more ideas for easy and inexpensive Easter crafts, recipes, and activities here.

Last Minute Teacher Valentines {with free printable tags}

My boys and I love their teachers, so this year we made them special Valentines.  I designed some simple tags, and used tape to attach them to the top of boxes of chocolates.  Aren't these simple teacher Valentines adorable?

To download one of the free tags: right click on one of the tags (below), save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

What teacher wouldn't like to receive one of these sweet Valentines?  I love how easy and inexpensive they are, don't you?

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Teacher Gifts {for the first day of school}

Every year {on the first day of school} my boys bring little gifts to their teachers.  I love teachers, and I want to teach my boys the importance of giving, so I think this is a great tradition.  This year, my boys are taking "first day of school survival kits".

I took my boys to the dollar store, and I let them pick out mugs.  Then, I let each of them fill their mugs with treats that they thought their new teachers might like.  They had a lot of fun choosing chocolate bars!

Then, this afternoon, I printed out some fun tags, and added them to the mugs.  To print out the tags I designed: right-click on the image below, save it to your computer, and print it like a normal photo. Because of all the color, I sent my to "Staples" (our local office supply store), and they print the sheet for $0.39.

I think my boys are going to love delivering their treats tomorrow. Do your little ones like to bring teacher gifts on the first day of school?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like these school lunch ideas.

"Tote"ally Awesome Teacher Gift... with free printable tag

My 4 year old has spent the last year with two fantastic preschool teachers, so on his last day (Thursday), he is bringing them each a special gift.  Each of his teachers will receive a pretty summer tote bag with a tag that says, "Have a 'Tote'ally Awesome Summer!"

Cute, right?  I think it is the perfect bag for trips to the park or beach this summer.

If you would like to download and print the 4X6 tag I designed, just right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a normal photo.

I love how bright and cheerful this little tag is, don't you?

What is your best teacher gift to give/get?  I always like giving things that are useful.  Gift cards and special notes are always great choices.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

DIY Teacher Gift {Candy Flower Bouquet}

Last week I shared the DIY Candy Bouquet I made for my husband for Father's Day.  This week, I am showing you how easily it can be transformed into a fun and inexpensive teacher gift.

Isn't it cute?  You can find the full tutorial for making a candy bouquet here.  

Then, after you create your candy bouquet, you just need to add the cute "I couldn't have picked a better teacher" tag that I designed.

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

I just love this little gift on its own, but you could also add a gift card and a hand written note to make it even more special.  What is the best teacher gift you have ever gotten/received?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

DIY Candy Bouquet

I love flowers, but sometimes it is fun to give a gift that is a little more unique.  This tasty DIY Candy Bouquet is cute, delicious, and costs less than $10 to make. 

To make your own candy bouquet, head to the dollar store and pick out some of the recipients favorite treats.  (I used a lot of "mini" bars and a couple of full size ones... but you can choose whatever you like.  Healthier options will work too.)  You'll also need to purchase a box, floral foam, BBQ skewers, tape, and tissue paper.

Then:

1)  Cut floral foam to fit snuggly inside the box.

2)  Using a hot glue gun, attach treats to BBQ skewers.

3)  Add tissue paper embellishments to the "candy flowers" (if desired).  Secure with tape.

4)  Insert "candy flowers"into the floral foam, and hide the foam by sticking tissue paper into the box.

That's it!  Pretty cute right?  Do you know someone who would like to receive this DIY Candy Bouquet?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Easy Teacher Appreciation Gift {free printable}

I love teachers, and I think it is really important for my boys to let their teachers know they are appreciated.  So... today I am sharing a simple teacher appreciation gift that all teachers will love.

Everyone loves flowers... and this little note adds a simple touch of fun and originality.  To download the 4X6 tag I designed: right-click on the photo below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular photo. 

You could also attach this adorable tag to a flower pen in a crayon vase.  You can find the tutorial for these fun projects here.

Don't you just love this simple teacher appreciation idea?  What is your favorite teacher gift to give?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Teacher Valentine... with free printable tag

It's the time of year when my boys head off to school with special Valentines for all of their classmates, and of course, they want special Valentines for their teachers too.  So, this year I designed a little tag that they can attach to a box of chocolates or some homemade cookies.

I love how simple and cute this idea is, don't you?  You can "right click" on the tag below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

And... little ones can write a little note to their teacher on the back of the tag to make it even more special.

Do your children like to bring valentines to their teachers?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)