Collaborative post by another author.  Thanking a teacher for their hard work and dedication is a lovely way to end the school year. While there are many options for store bought gifts, getting your children involved in making something special can be a wonderful experience. Not only does it help to save money but it also creates a thoughtful gift that your child's teacher will value. 

Add the personal touch to gifts to teachers with DIY presents

Here are some ideas for handmade gifts that your child’s teacher will love. 

A Handmade Card

A handmade card with a heartfelt message is a timeless gift. You don't need to be a crafting expert,  anyone can try card making as long as they have some crafting supplies. You can find countless ideas online for inspiration, including designs with pop-up elements. Alternatively, you and your children can use your own creativity to make a truly unique card. Get creative with paints, gems, glitter and other embellishments to make the card stand out. For a final personal touch, you can add a small drawing or a photo for the teacher to keep. This is a great way to make a gift that is both sentimental and one-of-a-kind.

A Candle 

Making your own candle is much easier than it sounds, especially with the help of a candle-making kit. You can make several smaller candles with different scents or one large candle in a decorative pot. The process is simple: melt the wax, add fragrance, insert the wick and pour in the rest of the wax. Once the candle has set, you can add a personal touch with a little label or a decorative ribbon. This is a great project to do with children and the end result is a beautiful and fragrant gift.

A Coaster 

Coasters are a practical and personal gift that a teacher can use every day. They offer a lot of creative freedom since you can work with your children to make them from a variety of materials. You could try crocheted, ceramic or even slate coasters. You could also design your own coaster online and add a class photo to make it more sentimental. Coasters make a great addition to a teacher’s desk, sparking conversations with students throughout the year.

A Plant

A plant is a gift that keeps on giving. Plants not only look beautiful but also have numerous benefits that support human health. They can improve air quality and productivity making them a great addition to a classroom or home. To make the gift extra special, you and your children could paint a plant pot or upcycle a mason jar to use as a planter. This adds a wonderful homemade element and shows you've put in the time and effort to create something truly thoughtful.

Baked Goods

Baking is a fantastic way to create a delicious gift. If you know the teacher’s favourite treat you can go all out with their favourite flavour. Choose a simple child-friendly recipe like cupcakes or brownies and have fun decorating them. Another less time-consuming option is a tray bake which offers a large surface area for children to get creative with decorations. Baking a large batch means there might even be enough to share with the rest of the class. The final step is to package your baked goods beautifully. Cellophane, ribbons, gift bags or a fancy container can make all the difference when it comes to presenting your creation.

Don't have time to get creative? Don't worry teachers love either a voucher or a bottle of wine and they will just appreciate the thank you.