More teacher gifts.

So we reached the end of the school year. I've noticed most parents don't give end of the year gifts or letters of appreciation. I think it has become common for us to under estimate the extent of drama and just "crap" that our teachers go through from students, from parents or from the administration. One of the moms in Lily's class had the day off to attend the kindergarten graduation (don't get me started on that) which I thought was nice so she could support her child. It ended much sooner then she expected, when she got ready to leave, I asked if she was going to take her child. Her response shocked me. She said, "I didn't take the day off to deal with his/her bull s*** and drama. I'm going home to enjoy myself. He/she can stay here." Really? You don't want to be around your child on your day off? What makes you think it is the teacher's job to deal with their crap? I believe teachers deserve some kind of recognition to tell them, "I appreciate you. I appreciate that you go above and beyond to teach my child and every other child on good days and bad days. I understand we are a team to educate and enrich my child. Here is just a token for doing such an excellent job on your part." A letter, a flower, a little box of chocolates, photos, anything just to says thanks.

I had a hard time this year coming up with an idea. While eating my lunch and correcting children in the cafeteria, one of the lunch attendants said, "I would love to sit in the bath and relax right now. Thank goodness we only have 5 days left." That's it!!!! A relaxation themed gift basket! So the search for baskets was on! It quickly died. I couldn't find small baskets anywhere. Normally when I go to thrift stores like Goodwill I can find something. Nope. Na-da. None. Eight thrift stores and not one basket that would fit my purpose. What are you going to do now, oh Wise One? Enter the Mason jar. Dang I thought she wouldn't figure it out...

Let me see what to put inside my Mason jar of relaxation?

I put inside small tubes of foot exfoliant, foot soak, foot cream, bath salts, pumice stone, nail kit, face mask,and last but not least chocolates. Well you can't relax without chocolates!!! 

It goes without saying just arrange the items inside the jar so that everything fits. You may have to try a couple of times. Really, you don't say?

Add some ribbon and a tag, if you'd like, and you have a perfect little gift for a friend, teacher, co-worker, just about anyone. Wow you expect me to afford that? It looks a little price-y for a gift.

Think you can't afford it? Think again. 

Mason Jar:  $0.91

Foot products $3.12

Pumice stone $1.08

Nail supplies $1.09

Face mask $1.62

Candy $0.76

Bag of bath salt $0.27

Ribbons and tag $0.33

Total price $9.18 which includes tax. 

I made a total of 20 of these. I had a great buy from Sally's Beauty Supplies. I got 3 bath fizzes for $0.98, 3 pumice stones for $1.07, body wash and lotion combo packs $0.50 each, and manicure sets with nail file, cuticle scissors, tweezers, and nail clippers $0.60 each. I had enough to make 8 of those jars. If you find a great buy like I did you could possibly make a jar packed full of goodies for $5.68. Anything you gift to someone is appreciated. I was told yesterday by most of the teachers and staff that they loved the goodies and were looking forward to using it on their official last day of school. 

Please don't think this is limited to bath supplies. I made one today (which now I'm beating myself up for not getting a picture before I gave it) with a first aid supplies, one with kitchen goodies, one with office supplies, and with just yum-yums.

The first aid one had:

band aides

alcohol wipes

small tube of antibacterial cream

small tube of Ibuprofen

tweezers

small tube of Benedryl cream 

small tube of hydrocortisone cream 

The kitchen gift jar had:

Thermometer 

melon baller

vegetable peeler

small bottles of spices and extracts from a local farmers market

The office supply one had:

small bags filled with paper clips, thumb tacks, and the like

post it notes

letter opener

tape 

high lighters

pens

mechanical pencils

Hope to see you again. Same Ronnie place, same Ronnie channel, same Ronnie-ness