Teacher Appreciation Week: Starbucks Gift Card Idea

It's Teacher Appreciation Week! The boys' schools are doing a variety of things to show them just how much they are appreciated such as serving breakfast, catering lunch, and having the students write thank you notes on post-its to stick on their doors. No. 1's school is even treating their teachers to a car wash! Here's how it works: parents volunteer for different time slots throughout the school day tomorrow, and at the end of the day each teacher will leave with a squeaky, clean car! How awesome is that? Such a great idea!


I always like to send my boys with a little something extra as well. I can't think of a teacher who doesn't like coffee or tea (or need it after dealing with our children!), so I'm back with another DIY Starbucks gift idea. Of course, you could do this with Dunkin Donuts or any other favorite coffee shop as well.



Here's what you'll need:

• Clear cup, lid, straw
• Brown crinkly paper
• Gift card
• Black sharpie

Begin by filling your cup up with the brown crinkly paper aka coffee. Next, drop in the gift card. I found super cute ones with a picture of an apple on them that say "Thank You Teacher", so I made sure that they were facing outwards so they'd be the star of the show. Finally, have your child write their teacher's name and/or a sweet message with the sharpie on the outside of the cup- just like the baristas do. That's it!

Caffeine. Teach. Repeat!


It definitely takes a big heart to teach little minds. And I am forever grateful for our teachers!

*** Click HERE for my DIY frappucino gift card holder idea***

Team Mama Idea: Basketball End of Season Ideas

Basketball season has come and gone! At least non-AAU basketball which is a whole different animal. We'll talk about that sometime soon, I'm sure.


Although I was never officially "crowned" team mama (none of the boys' teams had one), I tried to help out where I could. For No. 3, I ran our TeamSnap and took pictures here and there. I also took up the collection for his Coach's gift. His coach has been nothing short of amazing with the team. Coaching 8 silly and super energetic, third grade boys (who also happen to have some of the shortest attention spans I've ever seen!) is no easy task!


We presented him with an Amazon gift card as well as a framed picture of a basketball, signed by all of the boys on the team. I found the picture on Pinterest as well as these cute, FREE printable gift card holders. Just download, print on cardstock, and attach with the gift card of your choice-that's it!

Coach absolutely loved his gift! He said it would be going up in his office.

No. 3 earned a new medal to add to his collection! (Click HERE to see how I organize them).

And the end of the season just wouldn't have been complete without cupcakes! I bought blue liners and decorated them with orange sprinkles to match our team colors.

I decorated the other half of the cupcakes like basketballs for No. 2's team. Click HERE to read my original post, if you'd like to know exactly what I used.

How awesome is the thank you card the parents gave Coach Hubby?! I absolutely love it! The mama who coordinated the coaches gifts said she had it made at Walgreens. I will definitely be using her idea in the future!

Speaking of awesome, check out my shirt y'all! I'm obsessed.

Not that two basketball games, baking, and cosmic bowling with a bunch of eleven year old boys counts as staying in bed.

Until next season!

Easy, Affordable Christmas Gift Idea for Teachers

It takes a big heart to teach little minds. This saying could not be anymore true.


My boys' teachers are always included on my Christmas shopping list, right alongside family and friends. I honestly believe that teachers are God sent. I know I couldn't do their job!


Some years, I'm feeling artsy fartsy. Other years, not so much. This was one of those "not so much" years. So, here's what I came up with.

A festive mug, tan crinkle paper aka coffee, and a Starbucks gift card. All for under $10! Score! (Gingerbread house not included...unless you wanted to gift it, of course).


What are some of your favorite easy, affordable gift ideas?