THE BUSY TEACHER'S HOLIDAY TOOLBOX--GREAT GIFT IDEAS TO HELP MAKE YOU MERRY!

Hello friends!

Are you making your list and checking it twice?  Looking for gifts for friends and family members who are nice?  Hopefully this post will help you out!

Before we unpack the toolbox of goodies and gifts I've gathered in hopes of making your holidays less crazy and a lot more enjoyable, let me warn you about something!  When it comes to Christmas, I am a  THEME QUEEN.  I coordinate my wrapping paper every year,  Last year it was mittens and snowflakes,  This year it is all things white and candy cane-like.  Once it was rustic and
woodland-ish.

A few years ago it was silver sparkles and blue ribbons.  My beloved collection of snowmen and snow ladies often get recycled after sufficient time has passed.  Musical notes and instruments have also been happily hung upon my tree and mantel garland.  Let's face it.  Martha Stewart and I are kindred spirits when it comes to going a bit "over-the-top" on holiday decor.  Hobby Lobby and Pier I are often my second homes during the month of December!  So are Target, the Dollar Tree, Wal-Mart, and Dollar General.  Michael's and JoAnn Fabrics are regular stops too.  The "All Holiday Music All The Time" radio station plays continuously inside my sleigh, AND I sing-a-long!

Are you ready for another newsflash?

I also give thematic gifts, many of which I BUY AT MY LOCAL GROCERY STORE! 

Odd, I know.  But let me tell you this.  IT MAKES MY LIFE EASIER to load up my cart with lots of one type of present for the colleagues, neighbors, and friends on my list, AND they usually really like it!  The gifts don't cost very much, but include a dash of ingenuity, a bit of creativity, a few scoops of thoughtfulness, an ounce of humor, and a whole lot of heart!  They are all wrapped in matching bags and tissue paper too, which really should count for something!

Know that it was very fun to take off my "Teacher Hat" for this post and put on my elf suit!  A BIG thanks goes out to my colorful blogger buddies here at The Primary Pack for indulging me!  I hope that you'll be able to come away with at least a few ideas that will streamline your shopping time, and have more precious minutes to share and enjoy the magic of the season.  I apologize in advance for the poor quality of my photos, but hopefully they will give you the general idea!

I found this tabletop tree kit at Hobby Lobby last year, and bought one for myself and two to give away.  The Olde English colors and star-shaped "branches" spoke to me of Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and Bob Cratchit.  Ornaments, wreaths, picture frames, and table centerpieces are also decor-types of gifts that can be used by the recipient to deck the halls from year-to-year.

A cute set of mugs or even just a single one, filled with coffee or cocoa K-Cups or packets will surely provide a much-needed respite and/or caffeine kick!  Tuck in some candy canes or a tin of homemade cookies, and you've got a sweet treat that can't be beat!

Post-Its in fun shapes, monogrammed note pads, or a set of holiday cards coupled with a snazzy pen or some Flair markers will make those list-makers in your life smile from ear-to-ear with good cheer!

Who doesn't love popcorn, old TV holiday specials, AND Ralphie on a cold, winter's night?  Throw in a fleece blanket for good measure, and you've got a gift that just spells...

F-A-M-I-L-Y  F-U-N!

Fa-la-la-la-la!  La-la-la-la!

Visions of new scissors, Sharpie markers, mailing labels, and wonderful colors and rolls of Washi tape will dance in the heads of those who send gifts to faraway loved ones.  Make their job easier by putting together this "care package" of practical supplies!

This gift basket of goodies honors the memory of my Mom.  She used to stir up a big pot of homemade bean soup with corn muffins on cold winter days, and it was just pure comfort after an afternoon or evening out on the backyard skating rink.  I am not the cook that she was, so I give the "just add water" version and cute kitchen mitts for color!

Scented lotion, manicure and/or pedicure supplies, and fun flavors of lip balm are gifts that can be combined into a do-it-yourself spa experience!  Tuck in a scented candle and a CD of soothing holiday carols and you've given the gift of rest and relaxation!

These two "sacks full of snacks" ideas have always been my "go-to" gifts for my principals, custodians, and kid's coaches.  Chips to dip and crunch to munch during holiday football games or family gatherings are always much-appreciated!

Remind your loved ones to take care of themselves when the cold winds blow and germs run rampant by providing new gloves and ear muffs!  Fill a basket with tea, Tylenol, soups, cough drops, tissues, and hand sanitizer for those emergency sick days that strike.  Fill a festive bowl with cinnamon-scented pine cones and sticks to make their house fragrant and welcoming.

This idea came to me as I was walking past the Oreo display at the grocery store this morning.  I stopped dead in my tracks and may have squealed loudly....  

"WHO KNEW THAT PEPPERMINT OREOS EVEN EXISTED?"  

Amidst stares from other shoppers who obviously did not see he little light bulb of holiday inspiration blinking over my head, I grabbed a box and veered down the candy aisle to grab some York Peppermint Patties, and Rold Gold Peppermint Dipped Pretzels.  I then made a stop in the candle aisle for a Peppermint Bark votives, and BAM.....this year's latest and greatest gift idea was born!  I am now on a quest to find red-and-white striped containers of some kind to package everything in.  I was thinking Mason jars with red-and-white gingham ribbon would be fun.   Hmm.....maybe I will have to venture out on Black Friday after all.....

My second-to-last tip that will save you time is to use brown paper gift bags or small baskets in different sizes to wrap your gifts, and just add ribbon, jingle bells, buttons, tissue paper, and candy canes.  Forget trying to wrap weird-shaped objects like salsa and Planter's peanut jars with tape and paper.  It will make you crazy.  Bags or baskets with ribbon and tags are the way to go, and they can then be re-purposed by your grateful colleague, friend, or family member.

And finally...

Be sure to treat yourself to what you want or need this holiday season!  My family gathers in Florida every year, so these stocking stuffers will be put to good use as I lounge on the beach!  

For a hard copy of the ideas I've shared here, and some very cute gift tags and note pages, hop over to my TpT store to download this FREEBIE!

May it bring your life after school good cheer at this time of year!  You can find it {HERE}!

Consider it a gift from my house to yours!  Know that I wish you the brightest and most vibrant of holiday seasons!

As always, thanks for stopping by to share my story!  May you hold a song in your heart and wear a smile on your face!  Don't forget to visit me over at my BLOG for more fun ideas for your classroom!

Keep calm, teach on, and stay colorful!