Pinterest has become one of my favorite sites for browsing ideas – anything from crafty gifts to hair styles to home gardens and plans. I’m a bit obsessed, to say the least. Yet, it’s not like I’m just browsing and wasting time. I actually try some of the ideas that I find, especially gift ideas. Our school year just ended and I decided to put together a few gifts for people who helped me out this year. Instead of just giving them a card with a gift card inside, I decided to use some of the ideas I found on Pinterest and make them my own.
For my previous aide that got hired as a teacher this year, I gave her a bucket that said, “Happy Summer” with a few fun items in it like a Tiki ice cube tray, shot glass, and drink umbrellas to get the summer started off right. Most of these items I found at the 99-cent store – completely frugal, but super cute. I added a gift card to Target, but just as a token of my appreciation for the first semester of the year when she was still my aide.
I created a matching bucket for my mentor, but used “Orange you glad it’s summer” as the tag. I thought that was more appropriate since she’s retiring mid-way through next year and has been a huge help, especially since she had to observe me multiple times over the past two years.
The person who ended up taking my aide’s place during the second semester is a Starbucks fanatic. For her, I bought a reusable Starbucks cup and gift card, then added the tag, “Thanks a latte.” Again, an idea I found on Pinterest.
And finally, every other Friday I hold a raffle during our nutrition for students to win small prizes. One aide has assisted me every…single…time. Without her, I don’t think I would have been able to keep up the rallies. I used a pre-printed card that said, “You Are the Balm” and added an Eos lip gloss to the center cut-out and tied a gift card to the back. On this one, I started losing steam on the gift ideas, but still was able to make her gift special. Below you can see my four gift creations.
Here’s a breakdown of the gifts in the baskets from the 99-cent store (approximately $6 per bucket including the bucket):
- Reusable drink cup
- Tiki ice cube trays
- shot glass
- colorful wash cloths
- drink umbrellas
- bucket
From Ralphs or Walmart (approximately $3.25)
- Eos lip gloss
Individual gift cards ranging from $15 to $25
If I take out the gift cards, the total cost per bucket is under $10 – very reasonable. And this is why I love Pinterest!
Have you created frugal, crafty gifts using Pinterest as inspiration?
