Friday, August 14, 2026

TOTE-ALLY Excited You Are My Teacher! | Easy Back to School Teacher Gift Idea

Looking for a cute and easy back-to-school teacher gift? This simple tote bag gift is a fun way for your child to welcome their new teacher and let them know just how excited they are for the school year! 

Back to School Teacher Gift

All you need is a tote bag, a few useful teacher goodies, and one of my “TOTE-ALLY excited you are my teacher!” printable gift tags. 

Open House Teacher Gift

In just a few minutes, you can put together a thoughtful teacher welcome gift that is perfect for Meet the Teacher, Back to School Night, Open House, or the First Day of School.

Back to School Teacher Gift

Teachers can always use extra supplies and goodies in their classrooms, so a tote bag makes the perfect container for a beginning-of-the-year gift. The best part is that you can customize the contents based on your budget and what you think your child’s teacher will enjoy.

Meet the Teacher Gift Ideas

It doesn't have to be an expensive gift. A few simple items tucked inside a cute tote bag can make a thoughtful way to say: “We’re so excited you’re our teacher!”

To put together your own back-to-school teacher gift, you'll need: 

Not sure what to put in the bag? Here are some simple ideas: 

  • Sticky Notes/Notepads
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Classroom stickers
  • White-Out
  • Band-Aids
  • Paperclips, Binder Clips, etc.
  • Candy
  • Gum
  • Gift Cards

You don't need to fill the entire tote. Even just a few small items can make a cute and thoughtful teacher appreciation gift.

How to Make the Teacher Gift

Step 1: Choose a Tote Bag

Tote Bag Teacher Gift

Start with a cute tote bag. You can use a plain canvas tote, a colorful tote, or even a reusable shopping bag.  Here is a link to the mini tote bags (pictured above) I found off of Amazon.

Teacher Gift Ideas

You can also use large tote bags that the teacher can use throughout the school year to carry classroom supplies, books, papers, or personal items in it!

Step 2: Fill the Tote

Teacher Survival Kit

Add a few teacher goodies to the tote bag.

Teacher Gift Ideas

You can create a theme, such as a “teacher survival kit,” or simply add a mixture of useful classroom supplies and fun treats.

Don't feel like you need to spend a lot of money. A few inexpensive items can make a wonderful gift!

Step 3: Print the Gift Tag

Tote-ally Excited You Are My Teacher Tag

Print the “TOTE-ALLY excited you are my teacher!” gift tag on cardstock.

Teacher Gift Tags

The printable includes three different sizes, so you can choose the size that works best with your tote bag.

Tote Bag Tags for Teacher Gift

For the best results, I recommend printing the tag on white cardstock.

Step 6: Attach the Tag

Back to School Teacher Gift Ideas

Carefully cut around the outside of the gift tag. Use a hole punch to make a hole near the top of the tag. Make sure you leave enough space around the hole so the tag won't tear when you attach it to the bag.

Teacher Ribbon

Thread a piece of ribbon through the hole in the gift tag and tie it securely to the tote bag.  Here is a link to the ribbon I used (pictured above) I found off of Amazon.

Tote Bag Gift for Teachers

Step 7: Give It to the Teacher!

Open House Teacher Gift Ideas

Your gift is ready!

Meet the Teacher Gift Ideas

Give the tote bag to your child's teacher at Meet the Teacher, Back to School Night, Open House, or on the First Day of School.
 
First Day of School Teacher Gift Ideas

It's such a simple way to start the school year with a little kindness and make your child's teacher feel welcomed and appreciated.

Teacher Tote Bag Gifts for Teacher Appreciation

If you're looking for an easy first day of school teacher gift, back to school teacher gift, Meet the Teacher gift, or teacher welcome gift, this tote bag idea is a great one to try. 

Tote-ally Excited You Are My Teacher Gift Tag Printable

Download the tags off of my TPT or Etsy Store!

Happy Back to School! 🍎✏️

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Fingerprint Wreath Photo Ornaments: Simple Christmas Craft for the Classroom

Looking for a quick, easy, and inexpensive Christmas gift your students can make for their parents? 

Fingerprint Wreath Ornament

These Fingerprint Wreath Photo Frame Ornaments are fast, simple, and absolutely adorable. 

Wreath Photo Frame Ornament

They turn tiny fingerprints into a keepsake ornament families will treasure for years!

DIY Wreath Frame Ornament

Below are the step-by-step directions to help you make these festive fingerprint wreaths in your classroom:

Step 1: Gather Supplies

Winter Crafts

You will need: green Tempera paint (two shades), red Tempera paint, Q-tips, scissors, a hole punch, ribbon, white cardstock, and student photos.

Step 2: Add Student Photos

Picture Frame Craft

Take a picture of each student and insert their photo into this PowerPoint. Resize each image to about 2.5 inches tall so it fits neatly inside the boxes on the page. This will ensure the photo is the correct size for the wreath opening.

Step 3: Edit Name Plaques

Parent Gift Ornament

In the PowerPoint file, type in each student’s name, grade, and the school year to create a name plaque for each student's wreath. Adjust the font style and size as needed.

Step 4: Print Wreath Templates

Wreath Ornament for Parents

Choose your wreath design. Options include a blank wreath or one with the year. 

*The year is editable in the PowerPoint file so you can reuse the template each year.*

Print on white cardstock and cut out the wreaths. 

Step 5: Fingerprint Greenery

Fingerprint Wreath Craft

Pour both shades of green paint onto a paper plate. 

Christmas Craft for Kids

Have students dab their finger in the paint and fill the wreath with fingerprints. They can place prints randomly, create a “V” pattern, overlap them, or mix the shades.

Step 6: Add Red Berries

Christmas Ornament Craft

Cut the tips off Q-tips.

Student-Made Parent Gift

Place a small amount of red paint on a plate and have students dab tiny red dots onto their wreath using the end of the Q-tip.

Step 7: Color the Ribbon

Classroom Christmas Craft

Have students use markers to color a ribbon for their wreath.

Holiday Craft for Kids

They can color a solid design or create a fun pattern. 

DIY Fingerprint Ornament

Have the students cut out the ribbon and glue it to the top (or bottom) of their wreath.

Christmas Fingerprint Craft

Step 8: Attach Student Photos

Handmade Christmas Gift for Parents

Kid-Made Christmas Ornament

Tape each student’s photo to the back of their wreath so the face shows through the center.

Step 9: Add Name Plaque

DIY Photo Ornament for Kids

Glue or tape each name plaque onto the wreath. 

Kid Fingerprint Christmas Wreath

You can attach it to the front or back—your choice.

Step 10: Laminate

Preschool Christmas Craft

Laminate the wreaths for durability, then cut them out again after laminating.

Step 11: Punch a Hole

Keepsake Christmas Ornament Craft

Use a hole punch to make a small hole at the top of each wreath for the ribbon.

Step 12: Add Ribbon for Hanging

Easy Christmas Craft for the Classroom

Thread ribbon (3/8-inch works nicely) through the hole. 

Winter Crafts for Kids

Tie a double knot and trim the ends.

Step 13: Finished Ornament

Simple Holiday Crafts for Students

Your adorable keepsake ornament is complete!

Fingerprint Wreath Ornament DIY

These turn out so cute and make such meaningful holiday gifts.

Step 14: Wrap the Gift

Snowman Bag Craft

Have students wrap their ornaments. 

Snowman Bag Gift Bag

(I use my printable Snowman Gift Bag found HERE in my TPT store.)

Fingerprint Wreath Photo Frame Ornament

Your parent gifts are ready to go home!

Fingerprint Wreath Photo Ornaments

There are so many different ways you can customize these wreaths. 

Simple Christmas Craft for the Classroom

Grab everything you need to make the Fingerprint Wreath Ornaments HERE!

Wreath Photo Ornaments