Gift Ideas
Check out holiday/seasonal resource books and $2 holiday/seasonal picture books at SproutClassrooms.com!There are many times throughout the year when it's appropriate for students to make gifts for their parents and relatives. While the drawn picture or cute note is always appreciated, it's not the most useful present one could give. Use these ideas to take your parent gifts to the next level.
Notepads- Fold a piece of paper in half and have students write their mom's name at the top of one half, and their dad's name at the top of the other ('mom' and 'dad' are just fine). Photocopy about 30-40 copies of the piece of paper and use a paper cutter to slice it down the middle. Take some rubber cement and run the brush along the top of the stack of paper. When it dries, it will be the same consistency as a notepad edge. Wa-la!
Welcome Mats- I usually use this idea at Christmas, but it would be perfect for spring, too. Ask a carpet store to donate carpet squares, but only the kind with really tight fibers-loops work great. Put places of paint out, along with sponge or foam stamps in the theme of the present. Students can stamp designs or messages onto the 'mat', let it dry, and then stick it in a brown paper bag they have decorated.
Bath Salts- Perfect for mother's day. Find a large bag/box of Epson salts and divide it up into several large bowls. Put a few drops of food coloring into each bowl and mix. Be careful to only use a little, as you don't want to dissolve the salt. Put a few drops of fragrance into each bowl, such as lavendar, vanilla or peach. I found tiny bottles of these scents at the dollar store, but you can also purchase them from Bath and Body Works (watch their clearance area). Students can then scoop up salts out of each bowl and put them into baby food jars. Have them make labels on white paper, and use packing tape to secure the label and make it waterproof. You're done!
Beth Newingham's Gift Ideas