Teacher Christmas Gift: Cookies in a Jar

I originally found this idea during the summer when I was searching the web for inspiration on what to do with my left over Yankee Candle jars.  Now the holiday season is here and I have not come up with a better, more original idea for a teacher gift so this is my go to.

Cookies in a Jar.  More specifically Santa's cookies in a jar.
The recipe and instructions can be found at Cul-de-sac-Cool.  One helpful tip, right of the bat is to be sure you really pack the layers in there.  Especially if you want to get the chips in at the end (I skipped those, no room, whoopsie).  I should have read all the comments first, but instead I will learn from my mistakes.  This candle jar is the medium size, as you can see I had to pack the brown sugar in the lid.  I did try the pint size mason jar recipe from Damn Delicious.  This one was a bit too little for these particular jars, so I added some filler of tissue paper and fabric in the lid.  Here's a pic of all three before ribbons and bows.  (the pint size recipe is on the right)  I also tried a different layering order for the other two which have the same quart size recipe.  Both seemed to work just fine, I think the key is to be sure the flour blend is on the bottom. 

The label template can also be found at Cul-de-sac-Cool.  Next year maybe I will get more ambitious and try some of the other 4 recipes she has.  They all look so super yummy.  We will be making cookies tonight. :)  I couldn't have all the ingredients for homemade cookies laying around and not expect my family to want them.  They already stole a few M&M minis when I wasn't looking...

This is the jar that went off to school today.  The traditional quart sized mason jar, with some tissue paper in the lid.  We also attached a Christmas card with a ribbon to the side with a hand written note from Ryder just for some personalization. 
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.  I hope you have found these links and tips helpful for a last minute, personal, cute gift for your teachers.

Teacher Christmas Gift: DIY Crayon Wreath

Trying to come up with an original, heartfelt teacher gift can be tough.
Here's a fairly easy, super thoughtful craft that would look great hanging in the classroom.
A Crayon Wreath.

It's colorful and you can add any cute, personalized kid art.

This particular wreath has two wooden embroidery hoops (6 and 10 inch),
two and a half 24 pack crayons, some ribbon, a few wooden shapes and plenty of hot glue.

I made one of these last year for his preschool teacher and gave it as an "end of the year" gift.
I basically used the same technique, with a few minor changes.
This time I tied the ribbon that would be used to hang the wreath to the actual hoop.  Last year I hot glued it.  Ryder colored the wooden heart, added his name and picked out the apple and owl to personalize it.
Definitely lay out all the crayons first to make sure they are straight and you have enough.  I had to dig in to our reserves, as I only bought two boxes.  Luckily I had some unused ones on hand.
And be careful not to touch the tip of the hot glue gun to the crayon wax. I learned the hard way that the color will transfer to anything else it touches.
It came out great and I know she will love it!  
I think rulers and/or pencils would be cute too.  Maybe next time.....

Also, here is what I did this year....Teacher Christmas Gift: Cookies in a Jar
I will happily answer any questions, so feel free to fire away...

Update September 2014:
My sister in law got a new job as a guidance counselor at an elementary school.  What better gift to spruce up her office?!  So I made another.  ;)

 

 

 

They are all over the web now so I got a few tips and added some accessories. Perfect!