Thank You Teachers

Monday Moments~  I truly can't believe the school year is almost over.  It seems like every time I talk to a friend or write an email I start with, "wow, time has flown."  I don't know if it is the nature of getting older or just the busyness of this year with a newborn and a cross-country move, but I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that it is already June!  With summer break looming, I find myself brainstorming thank you gifts for my son's teachers.  After every weekend, I am appreciative of those who commit their careers to spending day in and day out teaching and molding our children.  I want them to know they are appreciated!

I have a few qualifications for these type of gifts: 

1. They have to be useful.  Who wants to spend time and money on a gift that is going to find a trash can as soon as the final bell rings?
2. They have to be budget friendly. Little boy #1 has two aides and two teachers.  This rule is more important at Christmas time when I include therapists!  Presents add up quickly.
3. They have to be creative.  Teachers often have between 25 and 30 students.  Although I am sure teachers are thankful for everything they receive, I also don't want to contribute to a vast mug collection or be the 15th apple on the last day of school.

So, if you are brainstorming like me and need a few ideas, below are a couple of pictures of gifts I have done in the past.  I did go the fast route this year and opted for a few gift cards...couldn't resist with a brand new In-N-Out that opened within one mile of the school.  These gifts are a bit more encompassing of the entire school year than gifts I give at Christmas time.  I found one other idea I plan to tuck away for future use: tying a note to a lantern or candle that says, "Thank you for being a light in the life of my child/life of a child/in my life." 

Little buckets full of sweets and classroom supplies with notes of thanks.

Gifts cards enclosed in cute packaging (I was able to use scraps of paper and ribbon I already had, so these cost just the amount of the gift card.)

Picture courtesy of sippycupmom.com. I did this two years ago but never took a picture of it.

For the moms out there...enjoy the last few days of school (otherwise known as someone besides you entertaining your child during the day)!