Photo Credit 

There is still time to make the darling wreath above, the instructions make it sound very easy….. what are you getting for your kids teachers?

Last August, I bought some Breast Cancer Awareness Mugs on Kohl’s for very ( I mean VERY) cheap. My kids are filling them with candy and we are attaching gift cards to them. I hate to do the candy and mug thing to the teachers as I know they get a TON but weirdly it worked out that way this year. The discounted price I got on the mugs allows me to get them a larger gift card which is what I am sure they want anyway!

This is an idea if you have some candles, air fresheners or other small gifts around.

I typically use them as Teacher or Primary teacher gifts just to say “thank you” randomly throughout the year. As with any gift sometimes the presentation makes the entire gift! I feel a little guilty giving a candle or air freshener that cost me only $.20 I would never want to just give it “as is” so I try and dress it up! Plus, when you attach a gift card it makes it really nice.

I quickly printed off this morning a business card size, little message with my kids pictures on them. I just framed them with card stock and laminated it. Then punched a hole in the corner and added a little ring.

Next, use the little clear party bags, tie with some ribbon, add some kind of “greenery” and your little tag. I think it turned out much cuter than just sticking it in a bag, it took almost no time and cost me $.60 total with the candle!

We took a poll last year and what teachers wanted the most was gift cards and so that is what I try and do.

Readers have really asked for ideas so what are you giving your kids teachers for end of the year?? 

If you have some time and are feeling creative you can go HERE and see the instructions on how to make these darling teachers gifts!

I love to get presents that are wrapped, so many come in bags now that the wrapping seems so special. For Christmas I always wrap all our presents, usually on December 24th for HOURS! Last year, I did a few every day and happily in bed on the 24th at about 1am and not 3am!

I would love to have a “wrapping station” but alas, I don’t have an extra spot in my house. If you are wrapping presents this year, here is a little help….

 How about a present wrapping tutorial? Check out the blog, Hideous, Dreadful and Stinky ( I immediately liked her!) and check out her present wrapping tutorials.

Part 1. Preparing your gift. 

Part 2. Wrapping Your Gift

Part 3. The Finishing Touches

What about thinking outside the box for wrapping paper??

I don’t know about you, but I have a TON of newspapers that I can use 🙂 Wrapped in newspaper with a bow is such a gift itself! They look so nice! Go HERE, HERE and HERE to see how they did their wrapping!

This might be my very favorite, I saw this idea a few years ago and went to the Goodwill store to look for shirts.

I bought the very cheapest and thinest material ones that they had. I paid no more than $.50 for each one. I used Children’s, Men’s and Women’s and they were so darling and fun!

If you want to give it a try, you can go HERE and see some good instructions.

I think just adding little touches makes the gift so much prettier looking. You don’t have to pay for anything either. I know you have been told to just walk outside and grab some berries or a few leaves from the ground, but when you actually do and add it to a gift it really looks nice.

I also buy much of my wrapping paper after Christmas and hold it for next year. I do this with expensive bows and tags at 90% off. That way I can afford to wrap a present like I spent a bunch of money on all  the frilly stuff when in fact I paid almost nothing for it!

I have been posting so many magazine deals, because they are so cheap and are such a good gift to give! Plus, the person that you gave it to will think about you all year long as they get the magazine each month!

If you order now, you might not get the magazine to the person in time for Christmas, so this is what I do. Well, this is what I do anyway with the magazine to make a better presentation.

I go out and buy the current issue of the magazine that I am giving. In this case it was Taste of Home. Funny, a single edition cost as much as the entire year!

Then I tied it up with a bow and added the spatula and wisk to go along with the cooking theme. Now, you could just put it in a cute bag like this depending on who you are giving it to. This one if for a close friend and so I spent a little more money and bought a cook book to go along with it.

I am wrapping up The Pioneer Woman Cookbook with the Taste of Home Magazine, wisk and spatula, I am including a note that says they are getting the subscription and it will start coming in January. This entire gift cost UNDER $20! 

Just adapt what you tie to the magazine for what magazine you are giving. For example…

Seventeen Magazine – add makeup, hair stuff, gift card to Old Navy

Rolling Stone – CD, iTunes gift card, ear phones

Shape – ear phones ( for working out), protein bars, 30 day trial to a gym

I am sure you get the idea, you can make them so cute and it is a fun gift that keeps giving all year long!