DIY End of Year Teacher Gifts

With only a matter of weeks before the end of the year, many parents will be thinking about gifts to say thank you to their children’s teachers. But chances are, your child will have more than one teacher, and then there is the librarian, the sports teacher, the art teacher. Maybe they have a wonderful teacher assistant or a special ed teacher. There is also the canteen staff and the people in the front office.

Christmas can get very expensive if you tried buy a gift for everyone.

That’s why these gorgeous DIY ideas are so brilliant. Many of them involve small and inexpensive gifts with a punny (and funny) gift tag. These are some of my favourites, but I have a constantly updating stream of ideas and inspiration at Fundraising Mums on Pinterest as well.

Thank you for being a Great Teacher

By Suburban Mom

Parents love it when we get one of these for Mothers’ or Fathers’ Day – why not return the favour. Get everyone in the class to do it, chose the best answers and publish them into an inexpensive photobook along with drawings by the kids.

Thank you for Helping Me Grow

By Guyer Family Blog, posted on DIY Joy and Live Randomly Simple

A beautiful potplant or succulent in a pretty pot together with the sentiment ‘Thank you for helping me grow’ is a particularly poignant gift for a special teacher who has really helped your child this year.

 

Thanks to You I’m One Smart Cookie

by Building Our Story

‘Thanks to you, I’m one smart cookie’. This is a sweet (excuse the pun) idea that could be perfectly adapted to a pretty jar of homemade cookies, a box of inexpensive but fancy looking shop-bought shortbread or a little DIY kit as shown here.

Thank you for being a great mentor

by Michelle Paige

A simple and very inexpensive gift that would be great for teachers, coaches or senior students who may have taken on a mentoring role during the school year, all with the clever use of a roll of Mentos lollies.

Teacher’s Emergency Stash

by Eighteen25

This is a great idea that could be easily adapted to a range of situations – a small hobby box filled with essentials – it could be chocolates as pictured, teaching supplies (eraser, pens, stapler, paperclips) or even fancy tea bags or coffee bags.

Thanks for Making Me a Star

by Tatertots and Jello

A gift card for the movies together with some lollies (Starburst naturally) packaged in traditionally movie-themed packaging.

My Child Might Be The Reason You Drink

by Sweet Tea Paper and The Kim Six Fix

Some parents might feel their child’s teacher needs a little something extra come Christmas. The gift tag from The Kim Six Fix reads: An apple for the teacher it is often said, but I know you probably look at gifts like that with dread. On the other hand I hope you will enjoy these grapes instead, especially since they come inside a bottle of red.’

The Thank You Sign

by Fundraising Mums

A great collaborative way to thank a teacher.

If you have a little more money to spend or you are getting everyone in the class to contribute, check out my article on the Best End of Year Gifts for Teachers.