Gift Ideas Under $15 for Teachers

Here are some gift ideas for Teachers that are both inexpensive and thoughtful.

Tea Time
You can find inexpensive holiday theme coffee mugs at Walmart or a dollar store. Fill the mug with candy, tea bags, and cookies (Try recipes below).

Cute idea: Personalize it! Get a solid color mug. You and your child can decorate it with waterproof and dishwasher safe paint pens. (These can be purchased at any craft store like Michaels or A.C. Moore)

Framed Letter From Your Child
Even if your child cannot write yet, you can ask your child questions, and write the letter for them. Ask them things like, "What do you like most about your teacher?" or, "What is your favorite thing your teacher does in your class?".

Buy a picture frame to fit your letter. You can get an inexpensive one at Walmart, Target, dollar stores, or craft stores.
Cute idea: Make a collage. Get a thick piece of paper, and cut it to fit the frame. Paste a photo of your child on it, and write the letter around it. Have your child decorate it with markers, stickers, or stamps.

Gift Cards or Gift Certificates
I know a few teachers, and they really do dip into their own funds to get things for their class to do if the school budget does not allow. A gift card or gift certificate would be a great idea, and would help them out.

Homemade Cookies
Share some of your family's favorite holiday cookies. Tuck them in a cute holiday tin, and there's no need to wrap!
If you don't have any family recipes, try these:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
3 cups semi sweet or milk chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.In a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add in the milk and vanilla and combine. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the rolled oats, chocolate chips and walnuts. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on an unprepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the pre heated oven. Cool cookies on wire racks.

Thumbprint Cookies

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup apricot preserves

DIRECTIONS
Pre heat oven to 300. Grease cookie sheets.Separate egg, reserving egg white. Cream butter or margarine, sugar and egg yolk until smooth. Add vanilla, flour and salt, mixing well. Shape dough into balls. Roll in egg white, then nuts. Place on cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Gently push a thumbprint into the center of each cookie. Bake for 5 minutes. Take cookies out of oven, and carefully put jelly or preserves in each thumbprint. Bake for another 8 minutes.

Buttermilk Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS
3 cups white sugar
2 cups shortening
4 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tablespoons baking powder
3/4 tablespoon baking soda
1/2 tablespoon salt
7 cups all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, cream sugar and shortening together. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk. Dough should be soft and slightly firm, not mushy. Chill for at least 2 hours. Pre heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease baking sheets.
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters and place onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the pre heated oven. Remove cookies to cool on wire racks. Frost and decorate.

These are just some gift ideas you can get a teacher for under $15. You can still show your appreciation, and keep extra money in your pocket during the holiday season!