Teacher Appreciation Week 2016: Gift Ideas For Homemade Crafts, Cheap Presents

Great teachers spend their days (and often nights) planning, preparing and thinking about their lesson plans. They devote their entire lives to mentoring and shaping young minds. Monday marks the start of Teacher Appreciation Week, a time to show our thanks and give back.

Whether you’re a parent or a student, there are plenty of easy, affordable gifts you can buy or make yourself. Here are some ideas for homemade crafts and cheap yet thoughtful presents that any teacher would love.

Apples are synonymous with teachers. But if you want to get a bit more creative than just giving your child’s teacher a ripe Granny Smith, pack up this delicious caramel apple dip recipe from Event Trender in a half-pint Mason jar with a fresh apple for a sweet treat.

Teachers drink lots of coffee and tea to keep them going throughout the school day. So give them this beautiful shatterproof, dishwasher-safe mug from Lenox for their daily caffeine intake. Take 15 percent off when you order online with the code STAR15.

Your child’s teacher might enjoy getting a nice bottle of wine. Raphael is one of the few wine estates in the United States that harvest entirely by hand, and yet their bottles are very affordable. Try the merlot for $20 or the sauvignon blanc for $30.

Who doesn’t love a good brownie? Thank your child’s teacher by layering the dry ingredients for these mouthwatering M&M brownies from Delightful E Made in a tall Mason jar. Tie a ribbon around the top and attach these adorable printable tags, which include directions to make the brownies.

Teachers spend much of their days standing. So give them a gift card to a spa for a massage or foot rub.

Print out this colorful gift tag that reads: “Thanks for sparking my creative juices this year!” Attach it to a reusable tumbler or a gift card to a smoothie shop or juice place for the perfect gift.

If you’re feeling extra crafty, have your child help you make these beautiful fabric bookmarks from Skip to My Lou to give to their favorite teachers.

Teachers go through tons of soap and hand sanitizer each year. Bath & Body Works is offering a deal to mix and match six hand soaps for $24 or four for $20. To make it more personal, attach to each bottle this super cute printable that reads: “Hands down you’re the best teacher around!!”

For a really special gift, you can get your child’s teacher a handcrafted necklace, bracelet or ring from Lat & Lo, inscribed with the latitude and longitude of the school. These beautiful custom pieces range from $45 to $165, and you can split the cost with the other parents in your child’s class.