Flower Pails: An Easy & Affordable Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea

Purchasing a meaningful thank you gift for someone you depend on but barely know as an individual can be a maddening undertaking. I’m talking teacher appreciation gift ideas. Those end of year presents that you want to nail, but often fail miserably at selecting.

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Let’s face it, we don’t always know much about our kids’ teachers as individuals. I might be able to glean a favorite color or random factoid while interrogating my kids but “Mrs. Nelson’s favorite color is purple and she loves Snoopy” is not a WHOLE LOT to go on unless I want to buy Mrs. Nelson a lovely purple Snoopy nightgown.

That would certainly send an interesting message!

Selecting the “Perfect” Teacher Gift

I know A GREAT DEAL about teacher gifts because my mother is a retired first-grade teacher. When I was a kid the end of each school year was always marked with a selection of apple knick-knacks, Best Teacher frames, and #1 Teacher ornaments.

Stop by my parents’ house and you’re sure to be served coffee in a mug declaring Teachers Touch Lives or My Favorite Teacher.

Just Say No to Apples

I'm reminded of my apple-studded childhood at teacher gift time. I roam the aisles of Target in a state of confusion for what seems like hours then give in, locate the gift card kiosk, and toss a random store card into a thank you note.

It’s certainly a solution, but it’s a gift doesn’t feel all that thoughtful or caring.

The Great Gift Giver

This year I decided on the perfect present for our teachers –> FLOWERS!

Why flowers?

Knowledge of favorite colors definitely helps when choosing this gift.
Flowering plants are cheap in the spring, so you can still afford to add a gift card.
The plant can be replanted in a garden or used to decorate school rooms.

Making Flowers Personal

Armed with another morsel of teacher knowledge (the subject they teach) you can easily decorate flowers with a personalized message.

This craft used $1 dollar sand pails and shovels as an adorable planter. They’re cute, they’re cheap, and they come in great colors!

Plus, the pail looks great in a classroom and can be refilled with pencils or glue sticks for years to come.

How to Make a Personalized Teacher Appreciation Gift

This craft is easy-peasy. Print, trace, plant, and gift. That’s it!

Craft Supplies

Craft Directions

1 – Print the PDF file on white paper and cut out your favorite design (Music, PE, Art, School, Media Guidance, Technology, Choir, Teachers, Teaching, Books, or My Class).