Thursday, May 10, 2012

End-of-the-Year Teacher Gifts | A Very "Berry" Thank You

Tomorrow is Charlie's last day of preschool for the year.  Can you believe it?  He truly had the most precious group of children in his class this year.  I wish they would all be together again next year.  I can't imagine he'll ever have a class quite like this again, they were all such kind and good kids.  I volunteered to put together the group gift from the Moms to say thank you to their two very sweet + patient teachers.  I decided to make them each a gift basket to kick off their summers.  It includes something indulgent, something relaxing, something personal, and something for them to treat themselves to later.  My first job ever was working at a Crabtree and Evelyn when I was sixteen. It was at Christmas time and somehow I was tasked with making all the gift baskets.  Back in those days the store made hundreds and hundreds of baskets complete with shrink wrap and a perfect bow.  I always think back to that December whenever I assemble a basket, or tie a bow for that matter, now.  Thankfully no shrink wrap anymore!    I like giving gifts that I would like to receive myself and this is one of them.  I could have pooled all the money into bigger gift cards but this feels a little more personal and unique. Hopefully the teachers {and other moms} agree! :)

Here are the details, just in case you are curious:
baskets  +
shredded paper filling {Michaels}
dish towel and pie dish {Williams and Sonoma}
pie dish filled with a warm blackberry cobbler {Recipe
monogrammed mug {Anthropologie}
lemons {my fridge!}
tea {Fresh market}
gift card {Barnes and Noble}

A note about the cobbler...
I 've made this recipe three times in the last few weeks ~ REALLY good + minimal effort  {I'm talking 5 min prep here.} + fun to share.  I test made one in the small dish today to get the quantity of ingredients right, but I will make two fresh ones tomorrow morning,  because, honestly, what is better than warm berries in butter and a sugary topping?! :)

{a couple additions I've made to the recipe: add 1/4 tsp vanilla to batter and sprinkle top with coarse sugar before baking. Also, when making in full size pie dish I've had to bake mine longer.  About 40-42 min. Probably my oven, but it's done when the middle no longer jiggles!}


  1. Beautiful and thoughtful baskets! Just found your blog through Pinterest the other day-- love it!

  2. Yummy! I can't think of a single teacher who would not looooove to receive that gift! And how wonderful to work at Crabtree and Evelyn...that would rank right up there with working back in the good old days at Laura Ashley! :)

  3. Crabtree and Evelyn beats my first job at Walm-mart as a door greeter. Seriously, why!? I ask myself that all the time. I'd been much more inspired in a pretty shop making bows!

    And your teacher gift is just lovely. Much better than our daily obligatory gifts of flower, note, candy bar, etc. as "ordered" by our room mom.

    Last but not least, what a sweet class picture. Here's to a wonderful summer with your boys!

    1. haha! CJ that made me laugh. Yes, why Walmart?! I'm sure you learned something though, right? My second job was at Abercrombie and Fitch when they still had a fine mens clothing department. I've got some mean folding skills when it comes to men's dress shirts too. Though I use that skill far less! :)

  4. Wow, what an amazing gift basket! You are super thoughtful. The recipient is very lucky! I worked at a small gift shop when I was in high school and made gift baskets too -- everything from soaps and room sprays to coffee and fudge. It was fun. I still have a dream of owning a gift shop or bakery one day.

  5. Your gifts make me want to be a teacher! Beautiful AND thoughtful!

  6. The beauty of your gift is the love and thoughtfulness that went into it. I have no doubt that the recipient will feel truly blessed. Thanks for sharing your fun & yummy twist on a gift basket.

  7. Can I please be your son's teacher? I'm a teacher and really can't tell you how much thoughtful gifts like that mean!!! It's so cute and it's so clearly something you spent time on. Thanks for sharing!