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!?

Thank you for stopping by!

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!

Christmas GIFTS - teachers, neighbors, friends - SANTA CAKES - baked in the jar! Fun idea that's inexpensive!

I love having super sweet and generous boys but sometimes it's hard to do on a budget, especially around Christmas. The boys want to give something to ALL the teachers...P.E., Art, Music, Receptionist, Nurse, Principal, Asst. Principal, Librarian, and to their main teachers as well. YIKES!!!! I wish we could afford notepads for that many. We still want them to know they are appreciated so we are making red velvet cakes in mason jars. I made these a couple years back and LOVED HOW THEY TURNED OUT!!! 

Red velvet cake baked right in the mason jars!

Found these at HEB (grocery store)

I first put all the jars in the dishwasher the night before. I could fit 12 in a 9X12 baking pan with 1/4 inch of water in the pan. I filled all the jars 1/2 way with red velvet cake mix by using a ziplock bag with the corner clipped. Just SQUEEZE and PINCH to fill. SO EASY AND MESS FREE!!!!

350 degrees for 40 minutes

Added the icing and hot gluing the ribbon and belt

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Idea for inexpensive treats for the class - blog post here PLUS free tag download

Thank you for stopping by!

Chocolate SPOONS & HOT CHOCOLATE BAR - free downloadable! IDEAS!

These are great for coffee or hot chocolate! 

This year we did a hot chocolate bar for the teachers lounge and

 also at our GINGERBREAD DECORATING PARTY

Free downloadable tag below

Turned out so cute!

Spoons, Wilton treat bags (same as marshmallow bags HERE) and ribbon.

I used wooden utensils to hold up the end of the spoons and they worked out to be the exact height needed. You could use a book or hand towel rolled up.

Melted chocolate candy melts (Same as HERE) and put in a ziplock and clipped the corner

SQUEEZE! 

Sprinkles

Then let them dry. It really doesn't take long. I wouldn't recommend putting them in the refrigerator because they will get sticky. Learned that the hard way :/

Used Wilton bags (same as marshmallow bags HERE)

Ribbon and TA-DAAAA!!!

These were some of the supplies I used for the teacher Hot Chocolate Bar

This was easy and something to show our appreciation! Since my son is in student council I always put all our treats from the whole group. The little tag says "Whisk and Serve" From: Student Council

Here is an AWESOME hot chocolate recipe

FREE DOWNLOADABLE / PRINTABLE

It's sized as a 5x7 photo that you can send to your local 1hr photo lab or print at home. 

Click HERE to download 5X7 HOT CHOCOLATE BAR tag for FREE

(then right click and save)

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