Warm & Koozie {Teacher Gift}

It is the last week of school and that means teacher gifts. We all know planning ahead this time of year is essential; so when I spotted these whale koozies on vineyard vines summer sale I quickly snatched them up (Belle's school mascot is a whale) and figured I would find a use for them later.

Enter Christmas teacher gifts 2013. 

I took the whale koozie filled it with a few delish chocolates and a Starbucks gift card. Then I packaged it in a cello bag, topped with a label reading "a little something to keep you warm and koozie during winter break" and called it a day!

I love the fun pop of pink & green. A refreshening preppy take on Christmas. 

Now I must admit that the remainder of our teachers gifts are not quite as pinterest worthy: poinsettias and Target gift cards. But in all honesty, I would happily accept flowers and a Target gift card any day. 

Thanksgiving Fun & Teacher Treats

Happy Friday Everyone! We have a  full schedule this weekend, but I'll be sure carved out some time to stop off at the store and pick up all the supplies needed for the surprises I've got planned for the littles this week. Hopefully you'll have the chance to try one or two of these out with your own family.

Free Printable Bingo/Turkey Sandwich/Turkey Handprint Cookies

And while you're out, don't forget Thanksgiving Teacher Treats. Last year I managed to bake up mini pumpkin bread, but this year I'll be packaging up 10 baggies of goodies for all the teachers/coaches/instructors in our littles' lives.

As much as I love giving homemade treats, there just isn't the time this year so I picked up this scrumptious looking peppermint bark at Costco. After all, it is the thought that counts. I plan to package them with tags reading, "Hope your Holidays are off to a great start. Happy Thanksgiving"  or something to that effect.

And with that, I'm off to start the weekend rush…hair appointment, errands, pizza party, swimming, ballet, & our lil nephew G's baptism bash all in one weekend. I'm already exhausted!

Halloween Teacher Treats

While pouring through photos and flagging 293 images for Bear's baby book, I came across photos of the Halloween Teacher Treats I sent off with Peanut for his preschool teachers last year. The simple goodies were packaged in cello bags, wrapped with a tone-on-tone chevron ribbon & finished off with a sweet little rhyme.



I'm hoping to put together another batch for this year's teachers over the weekend. Are you all are staying warm today….they are calling for SNOW here today!?!?

Picmonkey + Potted Mums = Present Perfection

I can hardly believe Fall conferences are upon us. Last year I whipped up a basket full of banana muffins & scarecrow crunch (pretzels, melted kiss & candy corn) for Belle's first grade teacher. 

Those were the good ol' days. I had a lot more time on my hands. The Baby Bear still took both a morning and afternoon nap plus he wasn't quite crawling. Fast forward one year, Peanut is done napping while BB is down to just one in the afternoon. This means a full day from sun up to sun down. Even with a much busier schedule, I still wanted to have something to gift Belle's teacher at our conference.

While at the grocery store, I picked up a sweet little potted mum from the floral department. It came pre-wrapped in a matte, burnt orange paper.



To take it up a notch, I designed a simple tag on picmonkey bearing the greeting "Happy Fall" and three jovial jack-o'-lanterns. I then printed my image on a piece of 8.5 x 11 card stock, cut it down to size & attached to the pot with kitchen twine. Instant personalization and pizzaz.

And since I love you all so much, here is the printable to make your own. Just right click the image and save to your computer. Then print selecting "print to scale". I set my printer to 17% FYI.

These would be a great gift for a helpful neighbor/coworker, special coach or just about anyone who deserves a little reminder that you appreciate all they do.

Belle's teacher was surprised and thrilled, just as Hubby & I were to learn that Belle 2nd grade is off to a stellar start. Here's to a "MUMerable"year.