If you’re looking for the perfect Thanksgiving gift to give your kids’ teachers this year, look no further! These easy and inexpensive DIY Thanksgiving gifts are great teacher appreciation ideas that require minimal prep work on your part. We’ve got you covered with these cute and creative Thanksgiving crafts, recipes, and activities that will keep you from running out of time this holiday season!
Candied Cranberry Soap
Try making your own soap with this easy recipe! Ingredients needed include baking soda, water, salt, glycerin (or vegetable shortening), cranberries, and food coloring.
First, mix together the baking soda, water, and salt in a saucepan. Boil over medium-high heat until it reaches 250 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer (do not let it go above 300 degrees Fahrenheit). Remove from heat before adding the glycerin or vegetable shortening. Stir gently to combine. If using glycerin, stir in one tablespoon at a time until you reach desired consistency.
For added fragrance, add about 10 drops of essential oil such as cinnamon oil or orange extract. Pour mixture into silicone molds that are shaped like small soaps. Allow to cool completely before popping out of molds onto wax paper to finish cooling then add chopped cranberries and orange zest while still wet to look like candied cranberry soap!
Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix
It’s that time of year again! Time to start thinking about all the gifts you want to give your friends and family this holiday season. The best part about these is that they are all inexpensive, easy, and can be made in just a few minutes. You’ll need either an empty jar or some wrapping paper, spices (I used cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger), coffee grounds (if you’re making the latte mix), sugar, vanilla extract, canned pumpkin purée.
First up is the Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix. To make this mix you will need four tablespoons of sugar, two tablespoons of ground cinnamon, one tablespoon ground ginger, one teaspoon nutmeg. Whisk together with a fork until combined then stir in three cups of instant coffee grounds, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1 cup canned pumpkin purée. Spoon the mix into an airtight container like a mason jar or tuck it away inside cute wrapping paper to hand out at school on Halloween night.
Second we have DIY Peppermint Lip Scrub. Lip scrub is such a great idea because it exfoliates dead skin cells from your lips while also moisturizing them which prevents dry chapped lips throughout the winter months. Plus it feels so good when you use it!
Here is a video about some easy thanksgiving gifts for teachers.
Maple Leaf Candle
This DIY gift is not only easy but inexpensive as well. All you need is a mason jar, candle, and a few maple leaves to create this simple yet elegant candle holder. Simply cut the leaf in half horizontally with scissors, then glue it to the mason jar (using hot glue). You can also use different types of leaves or colors by using google images as a reference.
This project requires minimal effort but will be cherished by your favorite teacher when they see how much you care. It’s sure to put them in a thankful mood too!
String Art
You’ll never find an easier craft than string art! String art consists of threading embroidery floss across an open frame, creating loops with loose ends on either side that are woven into knots. These strings form the shapes that make up the artwork. When finished, take some photos and post them on Facebook for your loved ones to admire. If you’re crafty enough, get a bunch of friends together and make some string art t shirts- trust me on this one!
Autumn Leaf Garland
This project is a great way to teach kids about the changing seasons. Plus, it’s a fun activity that they can do outside with their friends! Materials needed are autumn leaves, scissors, twine or string, glue stick, and needle. Cut the leaf shapes out of green construction paper. Glue them on either side of a piece of string with the stem sticking up in the middle (think Christmas tree). Use your fingers to hold down the leaf while you glue it so that it doesn’t move around too much. Continue layering until you get to about three inches from the top of your string. Bend over one end of your string to make it look like an arch.
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