From the Mail Bag....

Any good ideas for Father's Day gifts for the men in my ward?
Heather C.

One year I was in charge of the Father's Day gifts in our ward.
(On Mother's day and Father's Day they give something to the men and women in the congregation)

This is what we did.

• 
• Clear Pocket Protector. We were a bit last minute but if you got these printed with Happy Father's day it would be darling! You can find these for about $.40 each.
• A ball point pen
• A Sugar Daddy large sucker
  

Then with a sticker (poem written by Stacy{s})
Hip, Hip hooray, Today is Father's day.
For all the things you do for us, without complaining, without a fuss.

As our ward we would like to say,
Have a "Sugar daddy" day. Happy Fathers Day

Lucky Jeff get's a new one of these every year with photos, bells and lot's of pom poms.

For the best Father there can be no real tie.

Idea posted from Shauna, such a great idea!

Several year ago, we started the homemade tie tradition for our entire church congregation. The Saturday before Fathers Day, they have an Activity Day specifically to make the ties. On Fathers Day, all the men are great sports and wear them. Ties are made for every man, children or not. Some wear 3-4 ties, one from each child or wear the previous years' when their children grow up, etc. It has been a very fun tradition and continues to grow. Some of the ties even have dates on them. Each year, there is something different to add to the decorations. Lots of laughs and fun memories. With my older children grown and gone,when they called home today, they asked about all the ties at church today and what they looked like, etc.

.................................................................

I was wondering if you had any good ideas
for an end of the school year teacher present?

Rachael R.

I was telling some girls at the blog party that I feel I need to come up with a new Teacher gift just to push my creativity then I think, WHY? I have done this for 4 years now and just love making it and watching the teacher open it.
It is a 100 dollars bound together like a notepad and in between each page is a question that is answered about the teacher. The book is "100 things we love about Mrs. Smith"
It is worth making seriously just to see the reaction of the teacher when they sit and read the questions. If you are still not convinced read about some other fans of the project. (let me know if you post about it, this will be the first chapter in my book someday - ha!)
Cara did it!
Andrea did it!

Instructions

But last year I think I actually did improve the idea by doing two things. One adding the premade vellum quotes and put them in between the money and questions. It was really great. You can buy those at and craft store.
and two... when I took the questions and answers and bound them in a book and gave them to the principal. I mean seriously what better gift can you give the teacher than to let their boss know how awesome you think they are.I then put it in a plastic popcorn bucket ($1 store) with some candy, popcorn and a blockbuster gift certificate. Don't forget the Principal!

Then since I feel like I have to give everyone a gift I do the gumball jars. Even the bus driver got one!

I have done these for years but now the seem to be everywhere to buy if you don't want to make them.

I buy my jars at Wal-mart or a thrift store (wash out well) The gum at Sam's club, the ribbon - duh the ribbon outlet. But pre outlet i bought the polka dot ribbon at Walmart.

With the laminated tag that reads...

This year we are also doing a memory quilt with hand drawn pictures for the kids. I DID NOT make the quilt but bought it pre made.
Here are two links one to making it with now sewing and one to buy it. I bought the teacher theme. It is done, took one day, fast and great bang for the buck!

no sew memory quilt
Premade memory quilt
One year for AK's preschool teacher I had each student bring in a quarter yard of fabric that represented them. Then I embroidered each child's name on the fabric and made a reversible bag. The inside was a darling black and white plaid with a big chunky monogram on it. I can't believe this is the only photo I took. Seeing her face when she opened it was just awesome. All of us parents and her were crying.

One year I monogrammed these bags for the entire office staff and principal.

This was also a fun surprise.but while i am on the subject of end of the year, don't forget to make the last day of school t-shirt. They are so fun. (this will chapter two in my book)
So I hope this answers some questions. But since I know of you out there have even more ideas feel free to share...

Great teacher gifts?
great father's day ideas?

and since I am a firm believer in the power of bribes and since I went to the ribbon outlet today I will pick someone on Saturday to send some yummy ribbon to just for sharing your ideas.