subject: Inexpensive Homemade Teachers Gifts For Christmas [print this page] The holidays are here and there's no better time to show your appreciation for our teachers. My mom's a teacher and they really do deserve a our thanks, but yes times are tough and money is tight so here is a list of easy, homemade candy gifts to make in bulk so you can make gifts for multiple people in one shot. You will be surprised to learn that you too can make a gourmet chocolate delicasy and didn't even realize it. I've added an item that is not chocolate to the list as well that is a Christmas favorite but a slightly different version. Not only will you make a gourmet treat you can package the gifts in style while saving money too. Everything is homemade from the heart. Choose from cute gift messages to place on a homemade greeting card too.
So what chocolate sweets can we make. Drum roll please...
These chocolate covered candy recipes will delight them.
Chocolate Covered Nuts: Pecans are my favorite. I never knew I liked them until I made them. You've got to try these they're great. A little warning they are more expensive than other nuts but since you are making these gifts in bulk you will still save money. You could mix different kinds of nuts to save extra money too. You will giving just a handful to each person so they will go along way. If you are making these for many people, perhaps not just teachers I would suggest going to a place like Sam's Club. They usually sell bags in bulk closer to the holidays. Otherwise, go to your local supermarket to get the chocolate and nuts. Dark chocolate goes best with nuts in my opinion or you could do milk chocolate. Buy either chocolate coating wafers or baking chocolate.
Chocolate Covered Pretzels: Pretzel rods are more fun to eat, but the small regular pretzels will create more gifts so choose those. To add a little more life to the pretzels toss Christmas colored sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet or drizzle green and red colored white chocolate wafers on top. Go a little crazier and sprinkle on toffee bits or crushed up peanuts. Whatever works into the money figure you have in mind that you wish to spend.
Chocolate Covered Cookies: chocolate sandwich cookies, vanilla wafers, graham crackers, pirouettes, etc. Whichever you prefer. Easy to make, delicious to eat.
Chocolate Dipped Fruit (dried): apricots, mango, raisins, peaches, cranberries, etc. Using dried fruit will be easier than fresh fruit, and much less expensive.. Some dried fruit like apricots can be more expensive while others like raisins are not.. Personally I think most people would like a mix of various kinds which would also cut down on price.
Ok now for another Christmas favorite with a twist... mini decorated sugar cookies.
Why mini?
Once again, they will create more gifts since you can make them in bulk. Their tiny makes them look even tastier and cuter. You can find mini cookie cutters at places like Michael's, Tuesday Mornings or online. Just do a search. Buy a set, they're inexpensive and you could create a small variety. To save on decorating time just work with 3 or 4 colors, green, red, yellow white or black. Work with one shape at a time like say Christmas trees first. Decorate a ton of them before moving to the next shape. This will save you a bunch of time. I personally have developed a unique decorating technique where I use plastic sauce bottles and plastic sealable bags. This method allows me to work faster and makes it easier than pastry bags..
Gift packaging is simple too. Choose between either small green or red paper gift bags or gift boxes that you could get at a dollar store or Wal-Mart or cellophane bags. Poke a hole at the top of the cellophane bags and tie them off with a ribbon or cut-out some homemade bag toppers that you could print off on your computer then staple them over the opening of the bag to close them.
Make them laugh or feel even more appreciated with simple gift messages. Keep them brief and print them off on your computer in bulk then cut them out and drop them in your gift bags or boxes. Some examples would be:
"You get straight A's with me Mrs. ____. Thank you for everything you do."
"Here are some holiday sweets for a very sweet person."
"The holidays are filled with cheer and laughter. Hope these sweets fill your stomach with Joy."
"Mr. ______ you've taken so much time to help (name of your child) so I took the time to make you this yummy Christmas treat. Enjoy!"
"(name of your child)'s grades/notes have been super thanks to you Mrs. _______. Hope these sweets I made for you score well too."
