3 homemade gift ideas for your child's teacher

Show a special teacher how much you care with these sweet gifts that your child can help make.

Crayons are a staple in every classroom, but your child's favourite teacher likely won't have them on display as artwork. Remedy this by helping your child create a beautiful picture that their teacher will always cherish.

1. To create a colourful monogram, use a hot glue gun to attach crayons to a piece of painter's canvas or cardstock.
2. Arrange the crayons to create the teacher's initials, then put it in an inexpensive frame or shadow box to keep it safe.

Your child can help place the crayons and choose the colours. Be sure to supervise the use of the hot glue gun, especially with younger children.

If your child is a budding artist, let them personalize a notepad for a teacher.

1. Have your child draw a picture of the teacher or classroom on a sheet of plain, white paper.
2. Scan the image into a computer and centre it at the top of a new blank document. Add a brief message or the teacher's name and print the document out.
3. Take the newly designed document to a print shop and have them turn it into a fun notepad for the teacher to use all year long.
4. This is fairly inexpensive, especially if you only use one colour for the illustration.

Because it's designed by your child, it's guaranteed to be a completely one-of-a-kind teacher gift that is sure to be appreciated.

If your child's teacher has a sweet tooth, consider giving them a lovely edible bouquet made of sweets.

You'll need:

• A foam block
• Four boxes of sweets
• Lollipop/craft sticks
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Assorted lollipops and chocolate bars
• Ribbon
• Shredded tissue paper (optional)

1. Start by gluing a box of sweets to each side of the foam block to completely cover the foam. Make sure that the boxes of sweets extends slightly above the top of the block to create a space to hide the lollipop sticks.
2. Glue lollipop sticks to the chocolate bars, and insert the sticks into the foam to create the "floral" arrangement.
3. Do the same with the lollipops, varying the height to create a pleasant visual.
4. To hide the sticks, add some shredded tissue paper to the space at the top of the foam block.
5. Tie a pretty ribbon around the bouquet and let your child present it to his or her teacher.