Peppermint Gift Basket

 

I bought the gifts that would go into my children's teacher's gift baskets awhile back. But, it took me forever to purchase the stuff I would need to put it all together. So three days before school I make a quick run to pick up the fixings for the gift basket. The good thing about this gift is it can be whipped out in no time. In other words, if you are looking for a last minute teacher gift then here is an easy DIY gift basket.

I found these adorable reindeer hot/cold insulated cups with matching green and white reusable straws last Christmas. I thought they would be a perfect teacher gift. I put some hot cocoa packets inside the cups for those cold days. Then, I added a bag of  Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark candy. Yum! (I wouldn't mind getting some of that sweetness!)

Hobby Lobby had some cute peppermint patterned tin cans. I filled these with some of our favorite hot cocoa toppings (marshmallows, peppermint candies, caramel candies, and chocolate chips.) I divided those into mini zipper close baggies that I also found at Hobby Lobby.

I lined an open gift box container (also peppermint themed) with red tissue paper and filled the box with all the sweet goodies. I sprinkled more peppermint candies for fillers. I bought some gift basket wrapping and tied it all up together with a pretty ribbon.

I was short on time so I quickly wrote a tag that read, "You were 'Mint' to be my teacher!"

I like homemade gift baskets because you can fill it with the stuff that you love! You know exactly what is going in there...and, they just look so darn pretty! I put two of these baskets together for my two school-aged children to give to their teachers. But, I think just about anybody would enjoy this sweet and delicious gift basket!

DIY Gift Bags with Cookie Cutters

If you're looking for an easy way to dress up a plain gift bag or paper sack this is the way to do it! When I was teaching Kindergarten the children would make gifts (usually like an ornament) for their parents around Christmastime. Then, the children would decorate bags to wrap up their gifts. After all, there is nothing like a homemade gift from a child!

          Materials:

• Plain gift bag or paper lunch sack
• Acrylic or Tempera paint (tempera or washable paint works best for a children's craft)
• Cookie cutters (metal or plastic cutters in different shapes and sizes)
• Paper plate
• glitter or glitter glue (optional)

          Directions:

1. Pour a small amount of paint on the paper plate.
2. Dip your cookie cutter in the paint. Make sure the bottom edges are well-coated.
3. Stamp your paper bag with the painted cookie cutter. Slowly lift the cookie cutter upward. (If the shape of the stamp has a void you can slowly reapply the cookie cutter to the paper and try again or you can leave it like that. I think leaving it alone makes it more authentic and homemade looking.)
4. Continue to stamp with remaining cookie cutters or until your bag is covered with prints. Sprinkle glitter on the paint and dust off for a sparkly look or use glitter glue to add more designs.
5. Allow to dry completely.
6. Place your gift in the bag with tissue paper and tie with a cute ribbon.

*This method also works well with craft paper and plain wrapping paper if you want to wrap a box or gift.

 

 

 

 

This is a quick and simple way to make your own gift bag or wrapping paper. It's also a great way to get your children involved in the presentation of a gift for a loved one!

Santa Hat Cups

When I was in Kindergarten my mom made some adorable Santa cups for my class. She filled them with goodies for all my classmates, and I have never forgotten them. Her craft inspired me to make these Santa Hat Treat cups that were similar to hers. Use them for classroom treats, party favors, cookie/candy gifts, or hang them on your neighbor's doorknob for a nice Christmas surprise!

Supplies

• Red Felt
• White Felt
• Clear plastic cups (9 oz.)
• Hot glue/glue gun
• Sewing Scissors
• Yarn (White, red, or green)
• Tapestry Needle
• Candy or Treat of your choice

Instructions

1. Cut a 9" X 12" piece of red felt in half lengthwise. Use one half for this project and set the other half aside for another cup. Cut about a 24" strand of yarn. You can trim it at the end if you want a shorter string.
2. Thread the yarn onto the tapestry needle. Hand-stitch a straight "running stitch" across the top of the red felt piece. Tie off the ends. 
3. Hot glue about 3/4" of the bottom of the felt all around the rim of the cup. The ends will overlap so finish with more hot glue there.
4. Cut about a one-inch strip of white felt (lengthwise.) You can either do a straight cut or weave your scissors in and out to make a squiggly line. I like adding that textured line at the bottom of the hat.
5. Glue the white strip around the entire rim of the cup. (The white will overlap the red a little bit.)
6. Fill your cup with your favorite goodies. Cinch the top of the Santa hat closed by pulling the ends of the yarn. (Trim yarn, if desired.) Tie the ends together.

Fill your Santa cup with stacked cookies, wrapped candies (Hershey Kisses, Reese's Peanut Butter cups, Peppermint candies, etc.) or Christmas trinkets and gifts. Make somebody's day by dropping off this cute Santa Hat Treat cup!

Fall Snack Mix

I am a huge fan of trail mix and other snack mixes. They are simple to throw together and you can modify your snack mixes to fit your cravings or whatever you have in your pantry. I like to make snack mixes when I am planning out snacks for the kids, too. I can toss them into a baggie or container and take them anywhere. They also make fun and tasty gifts.

My children have two wonderful teachers this year so I wanted to make a Fall Snack Mix this week to show my appreciation for them. I ended up making individual baggies to give as treats for their classmates as well.

Here is what I put in this Fall Snack Mix:

• Autumn candy mix (candy corn, candy pumpkins, etc.)-1 bag
• Quaker square cereal
• Stick Pretzels
• M&M’s (Autumn mix)
• Cracker Jacks (3 boxes of caramel popcorn and peanuts mix)
• Cheerios (for the kids' bags)

I purchased some mason jars (any airtight container is fine) so the snack mix could stay fresh. I used a hot glue gun to add some ribbon and bow around the lid. I then traced a circle out of cardstock and glued it to the top. I personalized each jar with the teacher's name spelled out in cute stickers. Here is a tasty treat and cute gift to share!