Easy Holiday Cards and Gift Bags

Let's face it, December can be tough on teachers. If you blink, it's the day before the break and you realize that you need more time to finish the cards and you forgot the wrapping paper for the family gift. So what happens next? You run to the store during lunch and hope you don't get stuck behind a shopper with 672 items who needs a price check. 

If you've been teaching awhile, you've been there. But, you won't have to be anymore! I'm going to share with you two adorable crafts that will work in a pinch saving you not only time and money, but anxiety too!

Adorable Holiday Craft #1 --> Snow Family Handprint Card or Ornament

This one is so easy it's ridiculous. The best part is that it looks a bit elaborate and makes for a wonderful holiday keepsake.

Handprint Holiday Card

Materials:

• Blue Construction Paper (cut big enough for a handprint)
• White Paint
• Brushes
• Permanent Markers

To Make the Craft:

• Write each child's name on the back of the paper.
• Paint their hand white and "stamp" it on the blue paper. Be careful to use the "right amount" of paint or you will end up with a globby mess; too little paint and you won't get a complete print. Make sure the students' fingers are spread a bit to make room for the drawings later.
• Let the handprints dry. If you paint them in the morning, they will dry by afternoon.
• Have students use permanent markers to decorate their stamped fingers to look like snowman. Demonstrate a few different ideas to dress the snowman: top hat, ear muffs, scarves, etc... Also, demonstrate drawing the faces, the buttons and adding a carrot nose.
• Encourage students to add a message and the date. Write some suggestions on the board to guide them:
• Love Never Melts
• Let It Snow
• Winter Wonderland
• Hello, Winter!
• Frosty Friends Make Winter Warm
• Have a Cool Yule!
• Warm Winter Wishes
• Winter Magic
• Laminate for durability. 

Options: 

- add a magnet to the back so they can be displayed on family refrigerators

- add/tape/hot glue a ribbon to the back so students can hang it on their tree

- cut the paper to a size that could fit into a frame and frame the art

These handprints cards could be used as the family gift itself or as a card to decorate the exterior of a package. They are easy enough to make that you could craft a few extra for staff members in your building as a thank you: secretary, nurse, custodian, etc...

Adorable Holiday Craft #2 --> Brown Lunch Sack Gift Bags

Sometimes you do forget the wrapping paper...these things happen in the hustle and bustle of December. If you find yourself lacking in festive wrap you can still salvage the family gift by placing the items in a brown lunch sack. If you do not have at least one package of brown bags sitting in storage at the ready, I recommend you get some. Their versatility is limitless. 

Happily, I always have some in my cupboard and we were able to make these:

Brown Lunch Sack Gift Bags

Materials:

• Brown Lunch Sacks (you can use the standard size or a larger bag depending on what you need to place inside).
• Gingerbread House Pieces Clip Art
• Coloring Utensils
• Scissors
• Glue

To Make the Craft:

• Have students set their bag down and fold down the base flap so they have a flat face on both sides of their bag. 
• Ask students to figure out a "fold line". That's where you will fold and staple the bag when it is done. It's important to know where the fold line will be so students decorate their brown bag accordingly.
• Pass out the copies.
• Have students color, cut, glue, and decorate! If you're really brave you can add glitter and/or cotton for snow.

Once the bags are done, place your gifts inside, fold it on the line and you're done! It is faster and easier than hand wrapping 24 gifts; no measuring or wrestling with tape!

I did a quick google search for gingerbread house clip art.

Jan Brett offers her own clip art for decorating. You can find it here: Jan Brett Gingerbread Friends Clip Art and Coloring

These two crafts will work in a short amount of time and are easy to do (not to mention highly economical)! I may have more than enough time and wrapping paper to spare, but I love these crafts so much I do them year after year.

Dollar Store Deals for the Classroom

Over the years I have gotten smarter about where I get things for the school year. The dollar store is a place where you can find some great bargains that can save you some change. It seems like everyone has their favorite dollar store and knows exactly where to find all their special deals. Which of these classroom favorites are currently being used in your classroom?

BINS, BINS, AND MORE BINS 

There isn’t a teacher I know that doesn’t have bins from one end of their classroom to the other. Bins are great for center organization, table materials, or just to store all of your teacher junk! I love when the store has my color theme in every sized bin and basket. It is a cheap way to get your classroom looking Pinterest ready.

PLAYTIME PREP

The winters in New York are NEVER ENDING! Having a variety of playtime bins to put out gives every kid a chance to play with something fun. I love to get puzzles, coloring books, simple games, and even play dough there. Rotate them every few weeks so they don’t get bored with any of them. 

TALKING TRAYS 

When we work on our Speaking and Listening standards I love to use talking trays to facilitate their turn taking. These snack platters fit perfectly at the center of the students at the tables or even when they are sitting on the floor. The students put their talking chips in the compartment in front of them. As they add to the conversation, they put their chips in the middle of the tray. When their chips are gone they have to listen quietly as the others finish their turns. It helps to give equal talking chances to everyone at the table.

REWARD BIN

Having small prizes and candy picks are a great way to start off your year. When you have a full bin that can be used for game winners, hard workers, or for students coming in to share a birthday cupcake with you everyone wins. There are so many bouncing balls, spinning tops, and chewy candy that there is something for everyone!

BULLETIN BOARD BONANZA!

Who wants to pay $$$ for fadeless paper that will only last for one year anyway? I love to use the colorful plastic table runners for my bulletin boards. They are super easy to staple up and dress up with borders. If this isn’t allowed due to your school’s fire code - wrapping paper will do the job! This year I found white wrapping paper that was heavy duty and looked great with all of my decorative borders. 

STEM MATERIALS 

When shopping for STEM materials the bills can add up quickly. Why not go aisle to aisle choosing items that could be used to create the most interesting inventions? Popsicle sticks, Q-tips, marbles, card stock… You name it - they probably have it. The tool aisle can sometimes have hidden gems. Think outside of the box and find some deals to make your STEM projects shine! 

BIRTHDAY BAGS

Creating bags for your students over the summer is a great way to be prepared for the school year. The dollar store has small trinkets, individually wrapped candy, and cellophane party bags. I make 25-30 bags so I am ready for the year. The kids are so surprised when they come in and find a little gift from you!

HULA HOOPS

These dollar finds are great to make the classroom a little bit more exciting. They work well for creating life sized Venn Diagrams, jumping hoops for brain breaks, or even a fun tool for cooperative games. If you’re looking to make a nice reading nook you could hang fabric around the hoop and suspend it from your ceiling.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Sometimes you can find some great flashcards, borders, and name plates in the school supplies aisle. There are also some neat notebooks and writing tools that you can’t find other places. I found whiteboard paddles with handles a few years ago and they have become a common fixture during phonics work in my classroom.

SNACKS

We all know that you have kiddos that come to school without a snack every day. I don’t provide snack but it is nice to have some on hand for those emergency days. There is a crazy variety of snacks you can get for just $1! They are also helpful for those hunger pains that I have been known to get around 2 pm…

SEASONAL FUN

The dollar store near me offers seasonal items. You can find decor, trinkets, activities, and more for just about any event that hits the calendar. It's a great opportunity to buy some window clings or snow/sand toys that will come in handy year after year.

We all know how much money teachers spend out of their own budget. Why not be a smart shopper and stretch your pennies further? Happy shopping!