Simple DIY Christmas Presents Ideas for Teachers by ActivityBox

Thanks for making me one smart cookie!

Most of us mamas can attest to the fact that our kids are where they are today because of supportive, inspiring and encouraging teachers in their lives. We’re grateful for their dedication and commitment to our children. And as our kiddos spend the majority of the week with their teachers, we thought it was time to really show our appreciation for them by creating something unique for them! And what better than to have your kids themselves DIY a l’il somethin’ special for their Grade A+ Teacher! These five activities are fun to put together with the kids so get them involved and you can even take them shopping to help you choose the supplies.

Who doesn’t love a hot cup of cocoa? Gift your child’s teacher a sweet treat with this adorable Hot Chocolate Rudolph that’ll definitely fuel them through the next term!

What you’ll need:

• Clear plastic bag used for icing/piping bag
• Hot Cocoa
• Mini Marshmallows
• Googly Eyes
• Brown or black pipe cleaner
• Red pom pom or round sticker
• Cling wrap

Instructions:

1. Measure your desired serving size of hot chocolate mix into the plastic bag. This a perfect time for your littles to practice their motor skills by carefully pouring the mixture in (the larger amount of cocoa, the bigger the Rudolph!). 

Tip: Stand the piping bag up in a tall glass. This makes it easy to spoon in the powder.

2. Use cling wrap to separate your marshmallows from the hot cocoa mix (stealing only a few to eat!). Seal off the bag by adding a brown pipe cleaner to the top.
3. Twist the top of the bag closed and wrap the pipe cleaner tightly around several times and then twist to secure.
4. Curl the two ends of the pipe cleaner to look like antlers.
5. Glue the eyes and nose to the front of the bag to make the face. Alternatively, double sided tape also works well!

This one is perfect for your mini Picasso as he or she gets to come up with a wonderful design or image to draw onto your chosen piece of crockery. If you’re feeling fancy, print out the initial of your child’s teacher and have them decorate the letter for a bespoke touch!

What you’ll need:

• Oil based paint markers (or permanent, oil-based markers)
• Plain white/cream mug or flat piece of crockery
• Scrap paper for practicing your design (practise makes perfect!)
• Pencil & eraser
• Colour markers for drawing your design (optional)
• Nail polish remover & cotton wool (Just in case of emergencies and re-dos!)
• Rubbing alcohol (optional, to clean the surface first and after erasing mistakes!)

Instructions:

1. Wash your crockery first and wipe it dry.
2. As an added step, wipe your mug and plates with rubbing alcohol on a piece of cotton wool.
3. Practice drawing your designs on paper (it might be helpful to find Christmas images online to give your kiddo some inspo!).
4. When your kiddo is happy with the design, let them go to town on the crockery! If a mistake is made, immediately wipe it off with nail polish remover.
5. Let the marker dry completely overnight.
6. Place your crockery in your cold oven on the middle rack. Turn oven to 200 degrees celsius and let it “cure” for 30 minutes. Remove after the mug has cooled down in the oven.
7. Give it a soapy wash as usual with a soft sponge or cloth and it’s ready to be gifted!

Want to add some flair and sweetness to your teacher’s desk? This one is perfect for your kiddo’s favourite teacher! Choose different sized glassware and personalise the items you fill inside. Tailor this gift to your teacher’s favourite candies or treats!

What you’ll need:

• Pretty glassware of your choice. Think, cute snack bowls, cocktail glasses, champagne glasses, small drinking glasses, beer glasses etc.
• Variety of colourful chocolates or choose just Christmas colours, M&M’s or mini marshmallows etc.
• Christmas ribbon
• Clear cellophane or cellophane bags depending on your glassware (cling wrap also works!)
• Any other decorative items you think appropriate and Christmassy

Instructions:

1. There’s not much to this step! Just fill your glassware to the brim with delicious chocolates and treats.
2. Wrap your glassware in clear cellophane. The ideas is that the chocolates stand out through the clear glass and cellophane.
3. Tie a Christmassy ribbon around as a final touch.

We know that teachers work hard and may feel peckish from time to time, so give them the gift of a carefully curated hamper this year! Use this time to take your kiddo out and have them choose what to pack into the hamper.

What you’ll need:

• A container like a wooden crate, canvas storage box or a wicker type basket is perfect for this DIY.
• Fill your crate with a variety of chocolates, nuts, wine, beer, cheese, crackers, bottle opener etc.
• Christmas ribbon
• Clear cellophane

Instructions:

1. Position the larger items into your container, like the bottle of wine first (and all the teachers say, “yes, please!”).
2. You can fill small cellophane bags with tasty snacks such at nuts, pretzels, chocolates, candy, dried fruit. Or simply use a combination of treats and chocolates.
3. Tie some Christmassy ribbon around the hamper as a final touch.

This Candy Cane is a fun fine motor craft for your little one to make and the perfect embellishment for all your DIY gifts this year. Plus, the teachers will love this handmade sentiment and perhaps add it to the classroom tree!

What you’ll need:

• Red pipe cleaner
• White pipe cleaner
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Bend the tips of the pipe cleaners over so the ends are not sharp. Line up both pipe cleaners and twist the ends tightly together.
2. Twist the stems of both pipe cleaners together to make an interwoven pattern. Twist the ends together tightly to secure it.
3. Cut it in half so you have two equal length pieces.
4. To make the candy cane shape, bend one end over about a third of the way from the top to form a “U” shape. Repeat with the second piece.