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Free Teacher Appreciation Printable + Inexpensive Gift Ideas

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Snag a free teacher appreciation printable in a bunch of fun colors. Find inexpensive gift ideas from a teacher, too!

Teacher Appreciation Week is the first week of May — that’s so soon! Don’t wait until the last minute to get your act together. Just snag this free printable, pick up a few inexpensive gifts, and you’ll be all set.

Snag a free teacher appreciation printable in a bunch of fun colors. Find inexpensive gift ideas from a teacher, too!

Free Teacher Appreciation Printable

Both of my kids love their teachers, which means I love them, too. In addition, we also love the teachers’ assistants, librarians, principals, counselors, secretaries… yup, we pretty much love everyone, and that isn’t even counting Sunday School teachers or daycare workers.

Basically, there are a lot of people I want to show appreciation to for Teacher Appreciation Week. With that in mind, I created a bunch of cute printable tags — complete with puns, because of course — that are ready to be paired with fun, useful, inexpensive gifts.

This printable is one of my favorites: “How Sweet It Is to Be Taught By You.”

Snag a free teacher appreciation printable in a bunch of fun colors. Find inexpensive gift ideas from a teacher, too!

There are so many possibilities with this printable!

This is an example of when it’s convenient to know a bit about your child’s teacher. If possible, do some recon and find out her favorite treats or sweets. One frugal way to gift lots of different people is to bake the treats yourself. I have a ton of dessert recipes, but some of the easiest and most popular are: cinnamon roll bars with cream cheese frosting, double chocolate brownies, Oreo cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, and homemade peanut butter cup bars. Don’t forget the cute bakery containers for your homemade goods!

Snag a free teacher appreciation printable in a bunch of fun colors. Find inexpensive gift ideas from a teacher, too!

If you’re going the store-bought route, I don’t think you can go wrong with dark chocolate; this 12-pack from Amazon would allow you to show your gratitude to everyone who shows love to your children throughout the day.

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Snag a free teacher appreciation printable in a bunch of fun colors. Find inexpensive gift ideas from a teacher, too!

Free Teacher Appreciation Printable + Inexpensive Gift Ideas

by

Free teacher appreciation printable in a bunch of fun colors. Inexpensive gift ideas included!

Teacher Appreciation Week is the first week of May — that’s so soon! Don’t wait until the last minute to get your act together. Just snag this free printable, pick up a few inexpensive gifts, and you’ll be all set.

Snag a free teacher appreciation printable in a bunch of fun colors. Find inexpensive gift ideas from a teacher, too!

Free Teacher Appreciation Printable

Both of my kids love their teachers, which means I love them, too. In addition, we also love the teachers’ assistants, librarians, principals, counselors, secretaries… yup, we pretty much love everyone, and that isn’t even counting Sunday School teachers or daycare workers.

Basically, there are a lot of people I want to show appreciation to for Teacher Appreciation Week. With that in mind, I created a bunch of cute printable tags — complete with puns, because of course — that are ready to be paired with fun, useful, inexpensive gifts.

My first printable says “We’re in Good Hands with You.”

Snag a free teacher appreciation printable in a bunch of fun colors. Find inexpensive gift ideas from a teacher, too!

I’ll be attaching the tag to a bottle of nice hand soap; you could go with hand sanitizer (I promise your child’s teacher needs some at this point in the school year) or nail polish. If you’ve got more room in your budget, a gift certificate for a manicure would be a sweet gift.

Many teachers say they’re inundated with more scented lotions than they can handle. Unless you know your child’s teacher has a specific need for a preferred scent, I recommend avoiding lotion as a gift.

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Snag a free teacher appreciation printable in a bunch of fun colors. Find inexpensive gift ideas from a teacher, too!

Toddler Craft: Easy Stained Glass Art

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With just two inexpensive supplies and a few minutes of time, you and your toddler can create this easy stained glass art.

With just two inexpensive supplies and a few minutes of time, you and your toddler can create this easy stained glass art.

My two oldest kids, ages six and four, love crafting at home. They both do a lot of art projects at school, but they’re up for more at home (hence the three batches of salt dough ornaments we made last Christmas). I’m so not a Pinterest mom, though; I tend to find an easy craft that requires a few inexpensive supplies and run with it.

Speaking of Pinterest, I remember making stained glass art with my preschool students way back in 2008, before Pinterest was even a thing. It’s been on my mind for the last few months, but it took me that long to remember to buy contact paper and then to figure out where in Walmart to find it (in the plastic storage containers/shelf organization aisle, if you’re wondering).

With just two inexpensive supplies and a few minutes of time, you and your toddler can create this easy stained glass art.

We made our rainbows the same day I brought the supplies home, on a fittingly rainy Monday. The kids loved it so much we made donuts the next day- B’s suggestion- and they’re already dreaming up the shapes they want to try next. We still have nearly the whole roll of contact paper and a ton of tissue paper left, so I’ll have no problem pulling off easy stained glass art again and again.

With just two inexpensive supplies and a few minutes of time, you and your toddler can create this easy stained glass art.

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Homemade Salt Dough Ornaments

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Homemade salt dough ornaments couldn’t be simpler to make. With only three ingredients, they’re the perfect easy craft for kids of all ages.

Homemade salt dough ornaments couldn't be simpler to make. With only three ingredients, they're the perfect easy craft for kids of all ages.

When B and I made homemade cinnamon ornaments a couple weeks ago, she was pretty disappointed she didn’t get to paint or decorate them. I knew right away she would love making and decorating these homemade salt dough ornaments and, since they’re almost as easy as the cinnamon ones, we whipped up a batch the next day.

Homemade salt dough ornaments couldn't be simpler to make. With only three ingredients, they're the perfect easy craft for kids of all ages.

I broke out a bunch of acrylic paints and we had a blast decorating Christmas trees, snowmen, and angels. Because I want these ornaments to be around for a long time, I let the paint dry and them sealed them with clear acrylic. You could use a spray; I used a jar left over from sealing the furniture in the nursery.

We put the first batch on our tree at home and, since the activity was such a hit, I made a double patch for the kids to paint and give to teachers and staff members at school. Homemade salt dough ornaments will definitely be a new Christmas tradition for the Winstead family.

 

When your homemade salt dough ornaments are dry, string them with ribbon, embroidery floss, or festive baker’s twine. They’re ready to display (or give away)!

Homemade salt dough ornaments couldn't be simpler to make. With only three ingredients, they're the perfect easy craft for kids of all ages.

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Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments

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With just two ingredients, you can make easy homemade cinnamon ornaments: a perfect DIY for decorating or gifting. What a fun craft for kids!

With just two ingredients, you can make easy homemade cinnamon ornaments: a perfect DIY for decorating or gifting. What a fun craft for kids!

Homemade cinnamon ornaments are something from my childhood, although I can’t for the life of me remember where and when I made them. I have no idea if it was at home, at school, at church. I’ve got nothing. Regardless, when I thought about what sorts of crafts I wanted to do this year with the kids, I knew these fragrant ornaments would make the list.

B and I whipped up a batch during Thanksgiving break. The dough couldn’t possibly be any easier; there are only two ingredients. It rolled out easily, and we had fun choosing shapes. These homemade cinnamon ornaments bake low and slow, leaving the whole house smelling deliciously like Christmas.

With just two ingredients, you can make easy homemade cinnamon ornaments: a perfect DIY for decorating or gifting. What a fun craft for kids!

[Read more…]

Homemade Pizza Pockets

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No cooking sleeve required: these homemade pizza pockets are nothing but fresh, seasoned dough, filled with your favorite meats, vegetables, and cheeses. And they’re freezer-friendly!

No cooking sleeve required: these homemade pizza pockets are nothing but fresh, seasoned dough, filled with your favorite meats, vegetables, and cheeses. And they're freezer-friendly!

Me and pizza. We have a deep love for one another. Actually, it’s pretty one-sided, but I have love enough for us both.

One thing I don’t love, though, is store bought pizza pockets. They were a pretty big deal when I was in junior high; twice a week my parents would give me cash to buy one, along with a can of Snapple, from the student store. The endless wait to use one of two microwaves was always worth it because of the pouch of hot, melted cheese waiting for me at the end.

Now? Now, I have a hard time remembering what I saw in them. I’ll get a craving for one a couple times a year, but each time I break down and buy a box, I always tell myself, “See? They’re not good. At all. Don’t do this again.”

With this recipe, I don’t have to. I can make my own homemade pizza pockets and I get to know exactly what goes in to them. The batch in these pictures was an afterthought, thrown together with the same quick dough I use for grilled pizza. I stuffed them with pepperoni and mozzarella and called it good- and they were, so good.

When I plan ahead, I love to fill my dough with onions, peppers, or leftover marinated chicken. They’d be divine with oven-fried chimichanga filling or even vegetables only. It doesn’t really matter what goes inside; anything wrapped in homemade dough, brushed with olive oil, and sprinkled with garlic salt is going to be a winner.

No cooking sleeve required: these homemade pizza pockets are nothing but fresh, seasoned dough, filled with your favorite meats, vegetables, and cheeses. And they're freezer-friendly!

[Read more…]

Homemade Freezer Garlic Bread

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Don’t waste your money on the processed store-bought stuff. It only takes ten minutes and five ingredients to make your own homemade freezer garlic bread.

Don't waste your money on the processed store-bought stuff. It only takes ten minutes and five ingredients to make your own homemade freezer garlic bread.

I don’t love to admit it, but I have a weakness for store-bought frozen Texas toast. You know, the oval-shaped stuff you bake from frozen? It just pairs so perfectly with any sort of pasta dish. Of course, I much prefer homemade garlic bread, but we rarely buy any type of bread that isn’t regular whole wheat sandwich bread. You can bet if I make a loaf of French bread from scratch, I’ll be using at least a few slices to make homemade garlic bread.

Don't waste your money on the processed store-bought stuff. It only takes ten minutes and five ingredients to make your own homemade freezer garlic bread.

It occurred to me a while back that it wouldn’t be difficult at all to make homemade freezer garlic bread. It only took me a few minutes to put together the spread, butter the toast, and stick everything in the freezer. Now we have access to garlic bread any time we want it and we didn’t pay for the over-priced, over-processed version from the freezer section of the grocery store.

Don't waste your money on the processed store-bought stuff. It only takes ten minutes and five ingredients to make your own homemade freezer garlic bread.

One of the best things about this homemade freezer garlic bread- other than how awesome it tastes- is that it can totally be adapted to your own preferences. You can use any sort of homemade or store-bought bread. You can adjust the amounts of the seasonings I use, or you could add in your own favorites. You can even toss in some Parmesan cheese to kick it up a notch.

Don't waste your money on the processed store-bought stuff. It only takes ten minutes and five ingredients to make your own homemade freezer garlic bread.

[Read more…]

Green Chile White Queso Dip

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #GameTimeHosting  #CollectiveBias

It isn’t game day without a big bowl of this quick and easy, perfectly spicy, melted cheese goodness known as green chile white queso dip.

It isn't game day without a big bowl of this quick and easy, perfectly spicy, melted cheese goodness known as green chile white queso dip.

School is officially back in session for a lot of the country, including us Mississippians. As a teacher, there’s pretty much only one thing that makes me eager to leave behind lazy summer days in favor of going back to work: The allure of fall. It’s right around the corner and, were it not for the oppressive humidity that’s a mainstay in The South this time of year, I’d probably be able to feel it.

It isn't game day without a big bowl of this quick and easy, perfectly spicy, melted cheese goodness known as green chile white queso dip.

In addition to cooler fall temperatures, I’m looking forward to cozy sweatshirts, all things pumpkin, and, most of all, football season.

We’re just about as stereotypical as you might imagine football fans in The South to be. I can just about guarantee we’ll be cheering on our team in person if they’re playing at home, and we catch most every away game on TV. It isn’t just the game itself that’s important, though; it’s the whole ritual of gathering with family and grazing on favorite foods throughout the day.

It isn't game day without a big bowl of this quick and easy, perfectly spicy, melted cheese goodness known as green chile white queso dip.

Because you can’t really have a game day celebration without a dip or three, I made this green chile white queso dip. It’s quick to prepare and is basically a block of shredded white cheddar cheese with a few additional ingredients to make it a smooth, flavorful dip. This cheese dip is best enjoyed right after it’s made, so I love to pair it with some easy make-ahead options, like baked chicken taquitos, double chocolate brownies, or spinach and artichoke dip.

While I was at Family Dollar grabbing some game day staples, like Coca-Cola™, I found Wise Nacho Cheese Tortilla chips that ended up being so good dipped in this queso. Like, insanely good. [Read more…]

Quick and Easy Grilled Pizza

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Don’t bother turning on the oven. In the time it takes for the delivery man to arrive, you can whip up this quick and easy grilled pizza.

I long ago perfected- in my opinion, anyway- homemade pizza. And then I made the perfect bagel pizza, because why not? Those two recipes are pretty much all we need most of the time.

Don't bother turning on the oven. In the time it takes for the delivery man to arrive, you can whip up this quick and easy grilled pizza.

Pizza is awesome, but sometimes you just want to mix things up, especially when it’s hot and you don’t want to turn the oven on  it turns out a grill isn’t just a convenient way to avoid heating up your kitchen; the high heat it produces is actually reminiscent of a pizza oven, meaning it can cook a mean pizza.

This pizza dough recipe is based on my world’s best homemade pizza dough, but I made a couple changes to make it ready to go much faster. After you mix the dough up you only have to allow it to rest for five minutes before you begin assembling your pizzas.

I chose to top these pizzas with pepperoni. We’re kind of traditionalists. Like every other kind of pizza, though, they’re awesome covered in whatever you choose. My favorite version includes roasted jalapeños and red onions

Don't bother turning on the oven. In the time it takes for the delivery man to arrive, you can whip up this quick and easy grilled pizza.

[Read more…]

How to Host a Stress-Free Summer Party

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BlockPartyHero #CollectiveBias

Summer gatherings don’t have to be fancy, anxiety-filled affairs. Here’s everything you need to know to host a stress-free summer party.

Summer gatherings don't have to be fancy, anxiety-filled affairs. Here's everything you need to know to host a stress-free summer party.

In theory, hosting fun gatherings is one of the best parts of summer. Good food, good conversation, good weather; cookouts and block parties are iconic for a reason. In reality, though, the execution of those fun summer parties can be more work than they seem to be worth, especially if you’re an introvert like me.

Between prepping the food, putting up decorations, and dealing with cleanup after, sometimes it seems like hosting people at your house just isn’t worth it. Today, I’m sharing my favorite tips for how to host a stress-free summer party. Here’s how you can spend more time with your guests and less time sweating the details.

How to Host a Stress-Free Summer Party

Keep the decorations simple

With the abundance of Pinterest-worthy images bombarding you on all forms of social media, it might seem like a crime to host a party without going all-out with decorations. You could easily spend several hundred dollars, and countless hours, turning your party space into a themed wonderland.

When it comes to stress-free party hosting, though, less is definitely more. Instead of over-the-top opulence, opt for understated elegance. Think fresh flowers- bonus if they’re from your own garden- spread around in fun vases or jars. Not only are they inexpensive to purchase, but you’ll get to enjoy them for days after the party.

Summer gatherings don't have to be fancy, anxiety-filled affairs. Here's everything you need to know to host a stress-free summer party.

Use lots of candles, from big pillars to dainty tea lights. Mix in a few citronella votives to keep the bugs away. If you don’t have many candles, or if you have a larger space, throw up a couple strings of white Christmas lights.

Decorating your space simply, with fresh flowers and cozy candles, will ensure it’s ready for any kind of party you want to host.

[Read more…]