Sunday, May 6, 2012

Blog Series - Gifts for Educators – Part 1--things to make




Teachers, especially female ones, will say that chocolate and coffee/tea are the best gifts to get. Well, here are some food suggestions with some recipes below:

Chocolate Coated Spoons
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
·         8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
·         2/3 cup vanilla milk chips
·         12 plastic spoons or clean stainless or silver spoons (we always have plastic spoons leftover from the latest Frosty.)
Melt semisweet chocolate in small heavy saucepan over very low heat, or in microwave on low power 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Set aside. Melt vanilla milk chips in another small heavy saucepan the same way. Let the chocolate stand for 7-8 minutes to cool and thicken slightly.
One at a time, dip spoons into the semisweet chocolate. Then drizzle about 1 tsp. melted vanilla milk chips over the chocolate and swirl together using toothpick or the tip of a knife. Set coated spoon on parchment paper lined cookie sheet and let stand until set, about 2 hours. Wrap each in cellophane. Makes approximately 12 spoons.

Flavored Coffee Creamers
Amaretto Coffee Creamer

3/4 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
In a jar with a screw-top lid, combine all ingredients and shake well to blend. To make Amaretto Coffee: Place 1-2 tablespoons of creamer in a mug and fill with 6 ounces of coffee.
Irish Mint Flavored Coffee Creamer

1 package butter mints, crushed
2 cups chocolate malt mix
1/2 cup instant chocolate drink mix
2 cups powdered coffee creamer
In a jar with a screw-top lid, combine all ingredients and shake well to blend. To make Irish Mint Coffee: Place 1-2 tablespoons of creamer in a mug and fill with 6 ounces of coffee.
Russian Tea Mix
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 3 minutes Total Time: 18 minutes
Ingredients:
·         1 cup instant tea powder
·         2 cups orange flavored drink mix
·         3 oz. pkg. unsweetened lemonade powder
·         2 cups sugar
·         2 tsp. ground cinnamon
·         1/2 tsp. ground cloves
In a large bowl, combine instant tea powder, orange drink mix, lemonade powder, sugar, cinnamon and cloves and mix thoroughly with a wire whisk. Remember to store in a sealed jar in a cool place. Attach the following direction so educator can make their tea. To use, combine 3 to 4 tablespoons of the mix with 1 cup boiling or cold water. Adjust amount used to taste. 

Selected Nonfood suggestions:
Various suggestions your child could help with doing depending on his or her age.
Make a “You Make a Difference Scrapbook” include pictures of the teacher’s students or various classroom pictures.  A great thing is having each student put their hand print next to their picture.
Make flower Pens with their favorite flower.  http://www.do-it-yourself-gifts.com/flower-pot-pen.html







Paint a small clay pot and either put the pen flowers into it or color artificial flowers and add a packet of seeds. You can also inscribe on the bottom of the pot with something like the date and the words “Thank You!”

In the past I made cross stitch pictures or made coasters.


 
Teachers Tote
 
 

Memo Board

 


 
Fabric Memory board




Teacher’s Pencil Cup



 
Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog by making a comment here on the blog or e-mail me at stipple@verizon.net  I look forward to hearing from you!

Sandi




2 comments:

  1. I *love* those memory boards, and all your work, Sandi!

    Hello from a friend and fan of Kevin's :)

    ReplyDelete