Thoughtful Teacher Gift Crafts

1. Download our flower circle template (below). Make copies so that you'll have one flower per student.

2. Cut out the circles. Give one to each student in your child's class, with a note asking them to decorate their flower and write a thank-you message on it.

3. Decorate a 4-inch-wide round papier-máché box (found at many craft stores). Include a note inside the lid for the teacher, as shown.

4. Fill the box with the finished flowers. Give it to the teacher along with a gift card to an office supply store or a coffee shop, if you like.

Originally published in the May 2013 issue of FamilyFun

Collect a Kinder-Garden

At my daughter's school, the room parent provides an empty vase, then every student brings in a few flowers from a garden or the store to put in the vase. When the kids are done, the teacher has a beautiful, unique bouquet that signifies good wishes from each of her students -- and it doesn't cost very much.

--Debbie Anderson Oviedo, FL

A Picture-Perfect Keepsake

I like to give teachers a framed black-and-white photograph of something special at my child's school. It could be a statue, a plaque, or the school building itself. It costs very little to put together but means so much to the teachers. I have had teachers tell me years later how much they treasure their photos.

--Becky Hayes LaGrange Park, IL

Originally published in the May 2013 issue of FamilyFun

Easy to create but brimming with style, these one-of-a-kind necklaces make a special gift for Mother's Day or teachers. Coat a 3-inch twig with white acrylic paint and let it dry. Cut a length of cotton embroidery floss and knot it onto one end of the twig. Wrap the floss around the twig and knot it once more. Trim away the excess floss. Add more colors, using the same method. To finish the necklace, knot a length of size 5 pearl cotton thread to each end of the twig. Secure each knot with a dab of clear tacky glue applied with a toothpick.

Originally published in the May 2013 issue of FamilyFun

For each button bloom, fold over an inch or so of an 18-inch length of 22-gauge floral wire. Insert the wire's long end, then the short end, into two to four buttons. Twist the short end of the wire around the long one to secure the stack. Then arrange your blooms in a pretty potted plant for a lovely gift.

Originally published in the March 2013 issue of FamilyFun

These pretty baubles have the look of glass enamel but are easily created by painting a metal washer with nail polish. Start with a base coat of white or yellow. Add colors, letting each coat dry before painting on top of it. Top the finished design with a protective coat of clear polish.

Originally published in the December/January 2013 issue of FamilyFun

Thank a teacher or honor a mom with a sunflower card containing seeds that will grow actual flowers.

For each card, cut two identical rings (ours are 3 1/4-inches across) from brown card stock. Cut ten petals from yellow-patterned card stock and two cellophane circles that are a bit smaller than the rings (ours are 3 inches across). Place a small pile of sunflower seeds (for planting, not eating) on one cellophane circle. Apply glue stick along the circle's edge, put the second circle on top, and seal the seam with your fingers. Glue the petals to one ring, then glue the seed packet and the second ring on top. Write a message with gel pen.

Paint patterns on store-bought spoons for a present that's both useful and sentimental.

Lightly sand the handles of a pair of wood or bamboo salad servers, then rinse and dry them. Place a ring of masking tape midway down each handle. Pour a few colors of acrylic paint onto a disposable plate. Have your child dip a finger into the paint, then make dots on the handles. Let the paint dry before adding overlapping dots. Remove the tape. After the paint is completely dry, coat the handles with a nontoxic sealant, such as shellac.

Clever to the core, a crateful of these faux apples is a perfect classroom treat.

Regift a pretty card by turning it into a flower pendant or pin for a special teacher, coach, or secretary.