YOU ROCK! Teacher Appreciation Week IDEA - fun inexpensive gift - HIDDEN - Surprise treat in a can - FRUGAL and super cute!

We did these before for an end of the year teacher gift and filled with MONEY!
Awesome and the teachers loved it BUT I don't own a money tree (dang!) and it's way too expensive with all the teachers they have.

Art x 2, P.E. x 2, Music x 2, Librarian, main & switch teacher, nurse, receptionist, Principal and Asst. Principal.....Geez, I feel broke just thinking about it. 

Since the boys want EVERY teacher to feel special {{awwwwe}} this is what we came up with.  

Problem solved! Something inexpensive, cute, and a surprise treat to let them know they are appreciated. 

ROCKS! 

Lol, yes rocks. They are chocolate river rocks that look so real that I needed to add a tag that says they are candy. Also, the theme of the school is YOU ROCK! TEACHERS ROCK! The school ROCKS! 

AND we secretly hid them in a pop top can. 

Not much but just enough to make them smile. 

I purchased inexpensive cans with a pop top and no markings or instructions on the top of the can. We all know how to pop open a can, plus it takes away from the gift. 

Only time I like the markings on the can is for APRIL FOOL'S DAY fake outs AND replaced lunch for a prank. Priceless!

What cans to look for?

Remember to place the bags of rocks upside down in the can. They will open it from the other side.

If you want these tags I have a free download on THIS post

For the bottom I added shredded packing paper like paper Easter grass or tissue paper. The reason you need the paper is when you re-seal the can with hot glue it doesn't get on the bag of rocks. It just sticks to the paper. The glue doesn't have to be perfect because no one sees the bottom until it's already opened.

I measured and cut labels using the existing label removed from the can.

Double-sided tape and press around the can

Add a ribbon and done!

Super cute, right!?

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SNEAKY, creative, & fun way to give MONEY! $$$ BEST gift ever! CASH - Fake out -IDEAS for Birthday, Graduation, Wedding, Christmas, Teacher Appreciation...ANYTHING!

Looks crazy, right!? Can of beans and rocks. Wow, grrrreat gift. 

BUT it's secretly filled with $$$$$$

Wooohooo! 

Giving cash doesn't have to be boring! Don't just write a check....(although I will definitely take a check any day!) 

This could be a fun idea for Christmas, graduation, teacher end of the year gift, birthday, ANYTHING! In fact, you are welcome to try this on me and I'll totally be fooled. Promise. :)

I purchased inexpensive cans (about money height) with a pop top and no markings or instructions on the top of the can. We all know how to pop open a can, plus it takes away from the gift. 

Only time I like the markings on the can is for APRIL FOOL'S DAY fake outs AND replaced lunch for a prank. Priceless!

Anyway, you also want a can that can be opened from the bottom. Here is a quick video to show you the difference in cans and the ones that work best.

VIDEO

Oooooh Ahhhhh.....money! Just money secretly hidden in a can would be awesome BUT we made them extra special. 

Each boy wrote out something special about their teacher for each letter of the alphabet on sticky notes. 

Gave each teacher $26 so total $52 for both.

They were so sweet. "S" is for Sad. I'm going to be sad you are not my teacher next year. {{sniffle}}

Used removable tape to attach each bill together.

This will make it so much easier to take apart....seriously, so easy. Other tape will tear the bills. 

Rolled

Now this is where the rocks come in. 

It's rock candy and since they look real I added a tag that said that.

FREE downloadable Rock Candy tag HERE

(then right click and save)

I cut out with a 1/2" lever punch

See!? If you pull the candy bag all the bills pull out so nicely.

Since the can is opened from the other side, I turn the roll upside down to insert.

For the bottom I added shredded packing paper like paper Easter grass or tissue paper. The reason you need the paper is when you re-seal the can with hot glue it doesn't get on the money. It just sticks to the paper. The glue doesn't have to be perfect because no one sees that side until it's already opened.

Measured and cut labels using the existing label I removed from the can. I'm SO smart. {{pat on the back}} Rare but sometimes I have my moments....sometimes. (just kidding)

Double sided tape and press around the can.

Add a couple ribbons AND.....

Ta-DA!!!! So super cute!

I received a sweet text from both teachers and one sent me this picture :) I was so excited the idea worked.

Thank you for stopping by!

FUN dinner IDEAS for kids - FLIP FLOP dessert and dinner! HEALTHY CAKE?

This is part TWO of what I did for April Fool's Day but what a fun dinner surprise that can be done any time!

 

PART ONE - Breakfast and Lunch 

This was so much fun and the boys LOVED everything.

Dessert for dinner and dinner for dessert? WHAT?

They were very suspicious with all morning and afternoon pranks so I had to play it off like I wasn't doing anything. At one point they wanted to know what I was baking so I turned the oven light and calmly said, "cake." Then the light quickly off. {{whew}} It helped that I kept telling them I was done for the day and no more surprises. 

HEALTHY CAKE

So excited how well it turned out!!!

I made my meatloaf recipe and put it into two cake pans. Baked a lot less time so it wouldn't dry out. 35-40 mins vs my usual 60 mins.

Made my mash potatoes extra creamy and smooth for the "icing." When the meatloaf was done I stacked with a layer of mash potatoes in between.

Covered the cake with icing but I didn't like how bumpy it looked :(

I took wax paper and covered the top and smoothed it out with my hand. Removed and did the same thing around the sides in sections. PERFECT! Well, not perfect but looked so much better. 

I used a large icing tip (one for cupcakes) and made it look more like a cake. Used a tiny heart cookie cutter to make the embellishments out of carrots.

LOOK! It even sliced like cake!

I served it with gravy that was my "caramel sauce" and green beans. I didn't have anything clever besides the carrots so I served those last. 

FISH STICKS, PEAS AND CARROTS, BAKED BEANS AND MASH POTATOES AND GRAVY

I would like to say I DID NOT let them eat all of this. It was a joke and they got to eat only some of it. SUGAR OVERLOAD!

Fish sticks

Breading is crushed up Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Melted white candy melts

Kit Kats

Dipped and rolled and placed on wax paper

I also made a few details to make it look more believable.

Fried fish? 

I used a little oil and crumbs of the cereal to make it look like I fried the fish sticks and put them on the paper towel before their plate. {{tenting fingers}} "EX-CELLENT" (Simpsons reference)

Peas and carrots are Starburst and Laffy Taffy

Baked beans are chocolate covered raisins and a little caramel sauce

Mash potatoes - Vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. I molded the ice cream and put on wax paper in the freezer. Put it out last because it melts fast.

Happy boys :)

Hope this gives you some fun ideas. Leave a comment if you have any questions.

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