Despite the fact that many people think that teachers have it easy, with lots of holidays, it simply isn’t true. They work REALLY hard and have taken on one of the most important jobs of teaching our children – not only the educational stuff but they reinforce the morals, manners and values that (hopefully) have been taught at home. Some (a lot I should imagine/hope) go above and beyond what is expected of them – and certainly what they are paid. This is most definitely the case for the Infant school that my youngest attends. Every year I like my son to help to make the gifts that are given to the teachers as a Thank You Gift. As my son has special needs then we also need to give out rather a lot of gifts (he is a thoughtful boy and this year wanted to give them to 8 staff that he comes into contact with). This year we made Snowies and Jazzies filled Santa Buckets. I would say that these cost on average just over £1 each (if you had to buy all the things required). These of course would also make great stocking fillers or a small gift idea.
Snowies and Jazzies filled Santa Buckets
You will need:
- Red Buckets (and bought mine from eBay)
- Glue
- Cotton wool
- Black paper
- Gold paper ribbon
- Ribbon
- Cellophane (festive if possible – again I ordered mine from eBay)
- Chocolate
- Hundreds and thousands
- Baking paper
- Baking tray
- Bowl
- Microwave (or saucepan of hot water)
Method:
For the Santa Bucket
Simply glue the cotton wool around the top of the bucket to form a Santa beard. Take enough black paper to form a belt around the middle of the bucket (cut to make the right width too), then secure it with glue. Cut four pieces of gold paper ribbon to fit on top of the bet to make a square for the belt buckle. Glue on. Leave to dry.
For the Snowies and Jazzies
Break the chocolate into a bowl (separately for each chocolate type). Heat slowly (either in a microwave or above a pan of hot water but ensuring no water gets into the chocolate). Stir the chocolate until it has melted (try to ensure it does not overheat). Line a baking tray with baking paper and pour small circles of the melted chocolate onto it. Sprinkle on hundreds and thousands. Allow to set (in the fridge preferably). Once dry (this is a quick process) then peel off the baking paper.
Cut out a square of cellophane (check it is the right size by popping into the bucket and trying for size – I used where it was folded). Then add the Snowies and Jazzies onto the sheet – having equal amounts so both colours are seen equally. Pop into the bucket – making sure the chocolate fits in well. Tie with the ribbon. Add a tag if desired.
For more Teacher Gift ideas
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