Surely by now you understand that I am all about EASY! I also love to give small, thoughtful gifts now and then. Thanksgiving seemed like a perfect time to give a little gift to our daughters' teachers. However, I didn't want to spend a lot of money--I just wanted to communicate our thankfulness for the sweet teachers who are pouring love and kindness into our daughters (oh, and also math. I'm so glad they're pouring in the math!)
As I was cleaning out the basement this weekend, I noticed my case of glass canning jars. There is something about a shiny jar with a lid that just makes me happy. Maybe I'm part raccoon and just like shiny things in general? (That could also be why growing up my dad called me "Mary Coon." There's some bonus information for ya at no charge!)
Anyway, I grabbed 2 jars, fully intending to fill them with my favorite Fall snack (candy corn and peanuts--YUM!!). However, did you know that it is nearly impossible to find candy corn right after Halloween? Well, neither did I. So, I had to improvise...
Here is how I typically improvise--the first thing that catches my eye. Today, that's exactly what happened...as I was standing in the checkout line at the grocery, I spotted a bag of Starlight peppermints. Cha-ching! Something to put in the shiny glass jars!
And, so the Thankful Jars were created.
Tonight, I printed off some Fall leaves that I found on Google images (I'm sure they were public domain, wink wink.) I also typed up a little "thankful message" that tied the peppermints to the Fall Thanksgiving theme. I have to admit--I had to be a little creative to keep the peppermints from looking too Christmas-y.
Everything I used to assemble the Thoughtful Jars were things I already had on-hand (except the peppermints, which I bought.) Jars, ribbon, card stock paper/scrapbook paper (which I also lined the lids with).
Here's the message I came up with:
Being in your class has "mint" a lot!
I'm thankful for Mrs._____ this year!
Love,
If you decide to make some Thankful Jars for your kids' teachers--I'm sure you could fill them with whatever catches your fancy...in the grocery checkout line! You could probably find less "Christmas-y" things that would be easier to make look Fall-ish.
I could see some fun packs of Extra gum lined up inside the jars, thanking the teacher "For going the 'Extra' mile..."
Dump some M&Ms into the jar with a note saying, "I'm thankful for a Mighty and Marvelous teacher this year."
Gummi Bears (My personal favorite!!) - "I'm 'Beary' thankful for Mrs. ____ this year!"
Want to see our teachers' Thankful jars?
UPDATE!!! See my 2011 Thankful Jars!
Know what I'm thankful for???
QUICK and EASY gifts that look THOUGHTFUL and CUTE!!!
* Does this gift not strike your fancy? How about another FUN and VERY EASY idea-- Sonic Happies! *
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