Handmade Gift Ideas for Teachers

I am a big fan of teachers, and not only because my mom is also a teacher (retired though). Being a teacher, from my perspective is one of the most difficult professions there is. It takes a special kind of person to be a good teacher.

Pre-school teachers are a special breed themselves. I cannot imagine spending several hours a day with a bunch of energetic pre-schoolers without pulling my hair out.  I am very lucky that for the two years that Nadia's been in school (and the year before in daycare) she had amazing teachers. They are my heroes.

As is customary here, parents bring a gift for their kid's teachers at the end of the school year (it used to be on June 30, Teacher's Day, but the school calendar has shifted throughout the years).

These are the gifts I made for my daughter's head teacher and teacher's assistant last year. I hope they give you some handmade gift ideas for teachers.

For Ms. S. I made this laptop bag, with a pocket in the front and three inside.  It has a long strap that can be removed. As with all my handbags, I used fusible fleece as interfacing, which keeps the bag stiff and gives it more body. The bag closes with a zipper.

Besides a front pocket that closed with velcro, the bag had another large pocket inside that closed with an elastic loop and button.

I also made a wallet with matching fabric. It closes with a snap button, the heart button is only a detail that Nadia insisted I added (she loves hearts).

This is the wallet inside. It has 6 slots for credit cards, a pocket for notes and a zippered coin pocket. I lined the wallet with stiffer interfacing.

For Ms. E., the head teacher I made this large tote with front pocket and two pockets inside.

I lined this bag with blue satin and it closes with a magnetic snap button.

I also made a matching wallet for her, but instead of a snap button this closes with a ladybug button and an elastic loop. The interior is the same as the other wallet.

Next week is parents-teachers conference, and once that's done I'll show you what this year's teachers are getting. I hope they like it, but nothing I can give them will repay their kindness and dedication to my daughter and the other kids.

Is it customary where you live to give teachers gifts? What do you usually give them?

Aunt Clara