As many of you know, this week is Teacher Appreciation week!  At our elementary school there are special teacher luncheons and breakfasts, and each class comes together to give their teacher a gift.  All of the children were asked to make a handmade card for their teacher… no spending of money involved in the card.  Many children also bring individual gifts for their teachers, although it’s not required.  I like for the kids to bring a personal thank you gift to their main teachers though… their teachers give so much of themselves throughout the year.  It only seems fitting to let them know that we love them and are thankful for the sacrifices that they make each day.

This year I have kind of fallen in love with succulents, and I thought that they would make a great gift for the kids teachers!  Succulents are pretty and only need to be watered every so often, so they can be kept on their desks in the classroom and not require much tending to throughout the year.  They are just there to bring some happiness and cheer.

I got these arrangements at the Home Depot for $6.98 each (I have to get one of these for myself!), which I thought was a really great price!  I love the variety of plants and the terracota pots.  I thought I could break out the paints that I had left over from the Handmade Charlotte Stencil project that I did, so I got them out and let them go to town.

They spent the longest time working on their teachers’ gifts!  They really put their hearts into them, which was so sweet.  Luke got brave with the colors.  He went for an abstract look, mixing colors, and letting them drip down the sides of the pot.  Abby’s design had much more planning involved (first born all the way).  They both turned out beautifully!  Their teachers are going to love them!

What kinds of things do you and your children do to show their teachers your appreciation?