Our definition of a teacher: A multitasking educational rockstar who lives to inspire and loves to encourage. They’re kind of a big deal!

With 2020 and 2021 being two of the most difficult, if not most difficult, years ever for teachers, one has come to realise and appreciate the significant role they play in our children’s lives. Teachers are the unsung heroes of society. They work tirelessly, often with little recognition or appreciation, to ensure that children have a good education. World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on 5 October each year, and it’s important for all people in society to recognise the importance of teachers in our lives.

If you think about it… teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions. Let’s thank these heroes this year with some creative handmade gifts. All materials needed can be found at your local PNA.

5 DIY gifts for a teacher on Teacher’s Day

What is more special than a handmade present to someone special in your life? Giving a handmade gift says that some thought and time went into the process. Here are some ideas to create that one-of-a-kind, specially made appreciation present.

Flower Pencil Bouquet

What teacher doesn’t like flowers? Even better, this bouquet will last longer than your usual flower arrangement and serves a dual purpose – flowers for decoration and pencils at hand for whoever needs one. This is easy to make and inexpensive. For the full how-to, click here.

• Crayon Monogram

What says classroom more than crayons? Make your teacher a crayon initial with these few easy steps:

• Get a frame and remove the glass.
• Print out the teacher’s initial in a giant font size. 
• You can print the name below the letter or glue it on another piece of paper with the name on it.
• Lay the crayons flat and plan how you are going to cut them to fit the letter.
• Use a sharp knife to cut the crayons.
• Roll the crayon while pressing on the knife.
• If the crayon doesn’t cut all the way through, snap it carefully.
• Lay the crayons where you want them first.
• Pick up one crayon at a time.
• Make sure to glue exactly the opposite of the part you want to see.
• Once all of the crayons are in place, glue the white paper to a piece of thin cardboard. 
• Glue right behind the crayons to avoid the glue being seen. This makes the picture feel much sturdier.

That’s it! A perfect gift to show a teacher just how much you love them.

• Colourful Card

One can never go wrong with a heartfelt card. Show some love to that favourite teacher by colouring and decorating a handmade card. Write a special thank you note and maybe add a sweet treat to complete the message. To make it even easier, here are some templates you can use: Teacher appreciation colouring cards.

• Teacher’s Survival Kit

Get the perfect box from your local PNA. From wooden to paper boxes, we have all shapes and sizes. Decorate the box and fill it with essentials that every teacher needs.

Some ideas for the contents of the “Survival Box”:

• Stationery like a pencil, pen, eraser, paper clips, chalk and/or sticky notes.
• Chewing gum.
• Disprin or Panado.
• Wipes.
• Sanitiser.
• A disposable mask or two.
• Cappuccino sachets.
• Sweet treats.

• Superhero Candy Bar

For the superhero in their lives, let the kids make this adorable Superhero Candy Bar Gift. All you need is a chocolate bar, red cardboard, markers, glue, double-sided tape, yarn, and star stickers (optional).  

1. Cut out a square from the red cardboard for the cape.
2. Wrap and fold the red cardboard square around your chocolate bar to make a cape. Stick the cape to the candy bar with double-sided tape.
3. Cut a circle for the face and make some hair with the yarn. Use markers to draw eyes, a mask and a mouth.
4. Decorate the cape with star stickers or stickers of your choice.
5. Stick a thank you note on the bottom of the chocolate bar.

Your child’s teacher is sure to smile and feel like a hero when your child hands them this simple and fun teacher appreciation gift!

Teachers do so much for their students. They are the ones that work tirelessly to teach them, inspire them and help shape their future. Teachers deserve to be celebrated on World Teacher’s Day! These are just some ideas, but there are many more ways to say thank you, so feel free to get creative!

Give someone else the opportunity to give something special by making this post go viral – share it with all of your friends and family members! All teachers need a thank you from time to time.

#WorldTeachersDay #HappyTeachersDay