The Best Non-Candy Halloween Treats for Your Students

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

#1 – Halloween Treat Bags with Slap Bracelets

These treat bags are perfect to give your students on Halloween! They can take them home and use them to go trick-or-treating. 

Twelve bags come in each pack, and there are 6 different cute designs. Plus, they come with the first treat for your students to put in their bags – a fun slap bracelet. 

If you and other teachers in your grade level do Halloween rotations, these bags would be the perfect place for them to keep the crafts and other things they create in different classrooms. 

#2 – Halloween Stickers

Your students will love using these Halloween stickers to make fun holiday scenes. There are 48 sheets of stickers with 8 different designs. Plus, there are 8 sheets of extra Halloween-themed stickers that you can use as special rewards.

If you have a Halloween party with centers, these stickers will make a really fun activity. All you need are the stickers and some pieces of plain paper. Your students can decorate their Halloween characters and create a scene behind them on the paper.

#3 – Halloween Zipper Bracelets

These Halloween Zipper Bracelets come in 4 adorable designs. They are fidget toys, so your students can use them to stay focused during class. The zipper is very quiet, and you won’t even be able to hear it during your lessons.

These zipper bracelets make great Halloween treats, but they are also perfect for other uses in your classroom. You can use them to create small groups by giving each student a bracelet and having them meet up with the other students who have the same design. They are also great for prize boxes.

Learn about more ways to use your Halloween Zipper Bracelets and get free gift tags for them in this post.

#4 – Stretchy Lizards

If you’re not able to celebrate Halloween in your classroom, these stretchy lizards are a fun alternative. They come in 12 colors, and they can even be used to play math review games.

Your students will love the way these lizards feel, and they’ll have so much fun stretching them. These are also perfect for a prize box.

#5 – Halloween Themed Rubber Ducks

If your students love rubber ducks, these Halloween-themed ones are really cute. This set includes 24 different duck designs.

Use them as prizes or give each student one as a special Halloween treat. I used rubber ducks with different themes to reward my students for mastering their multiplication facts one year, and they loved it. They were always so excited to choose their next duck!

#6 – Fall Magic Scratch Bookmarks

If you’re not allowed to celebrate Halloween at school but you have a fall party, these Fall Magic Scratch Bookmarks are really cute. Your students can scratch designs into them and then use them to mark their spot in the book they’re reading.

These make a great rotation if you’re doing centers for your fall party.

#7 – Pumpkin Mini Erasers

Mini erasers are always a hit with students, and these pumpkin-themed erasers are perfect for celebrating fall. They are a great prize for games at your fall party!

No matter how you’re celebrating Halloween or fall, these non-candy treats will make it even more fun! They all also work perfectly as prizes for my Halloween Escape Room or Fall Escape Room activities.

You’re Invited!

Looking for new ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What are your favorite non-candy Halloween treats for your students?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post The Best Non-Candy Halloween Treats for Your Students appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

The 8 Best Gifts Your Students Will Love

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

With 20 or more students in your class, it can be hard to choose gifts they will all love. It can also get expensive buying gifts for the whole class. These 8 ideas will make all of your students happy, and they won’t break the bank. (In fact, numbers 7 and 8 are completely free!)

Gift Idea #1 – Mini Inspirational Notepads

Encourage your students to write over winter break with these mini inspirational notebooks. They will love the different sayings on them, and as they write, they will be reminded to think big and believe in themselves. You could even have the students use the notebooks to write about their holiday breaks and bring them back to share in the new year.

Gift Idea #2 – Multicolor Ballpoint Pens

If you’re students love fun pens and are always “borrowing” yours, these multicolor ballpoint pens would make a great gift! They can choose the color they want to use to write. Each pen has six different colors. You could even have the students keep the pens at school and use them for editing their writing. They could use a different color to find each type of mistake.

Gift Idea #3 – Scented Bookmarks

Have you noticed that your students love anything that is scratch-and-sniff? If so, these fruit scented bookmarks will be a hit. They are such a cute and fun way for your students to keep their place in their books as they’re reading. You could also include a book with the bookmarks if you have extra Scholastic points to spend on dollar books.

Gift Idea #4 – Mini Rubik’s Cubes

Rubik’s Cubes are a fun way for your students to practice critical thinking skills. You could use these for some fun activities on the last day before winter break. Set a timer and see which student can solve the Rubik’s Cube first. You could also do a lesson on strategies to solve the puzzle.

Gift Idea #5 – Mini Pop-It Keychains

If your students are obsessed with pop-its, these keychains are a cute gift idea. They can use them as fidgets in the classroom or take them home. They will love hanging them on their backpacks or desks.

Gift Idea #6 – Scratch and Sniff Stickers

Stickers are another fun gift for your students. And what’s even better than regular stickers? Scratch and sniff stickers! Your students will enjoy decorating their papers, folders, and binders with these adorable stickers. 

Gift Idea #7 – A No Homework Pass

If you’re looking for a gift idea that doesn’t cost any money but will be appreciated by all your students, try a no homework pass. It allows your students to skip their homework for one night. The homework pass will come in handy if they have a big baseball game after school or if they just forget their homework paper at school. 

Gift Idea #8 – A Coupon for Something They Love

Think about something your class really enjoys this year, and create a special coupon to let them enjoy it on a day of their choice. Maybe they love stuffed animals, and you want to give them a coupon to bring a stuffed animal from home for a day. Maybe they really like playing games on their devices. You could give them a free tech time coupon that allows them to play a game of their choice for 15 minutes. You could even personalize the coupons to your students based on what they each enjoy or give them a choice from a set of coupons. 

If you’re looking for gift ideas for other teachers at your school or your children’s teachers, check out this post. 

Discover fun Christmas activities to do with your students the week before holiday break. 

You’re Invited!

Looking for more ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What is your favorite gift to give your students?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post The 8 Best Gifts Your Students Will Love appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

Best Teacher Gifts for 2024

We all know there are certain gifts to avoid getting teachers. I don’t know about you, but I can’t possibly fit another mug in my kitchen cabinet. We also know that most teachers enjoy getting gift cards, but sometimes we’re looking for a more meaningful gift for a teacher at our own school or for a special teacher your child loves. 

These gifts are sure to excite any teacher and show how much you appreciate them. 

Gift Idea #1 – For the Baker

If you know a teacher who loves baking, this cute pot holder might be the perfect gift. You can personalize the color and the saying on the front of it. Then, just add your favorite cake or cookie mix, a few cute kitchen utensils, and maybe a gift card to a bakery near the school, and the gift is complete. 

Gift Idea #2 – For the Teacher Who Loves Reading

If your child’s teacher loves reading, I’m sure he or she would definitely appreciate a book with this special personalized bookmark. You could add a gift card for a bookstore to complete this gift.

Gift Idea #3 – For the Techy Teacher

The Makeblock mBot2 is the perfect gift for a techy teacher who needs the latest technology in his/her classroom. The mBot2 robot is the perfect way to teach students coding because it starts them off with a basic drag-and-drop system and they can advance to Python when they are ready. This gift will benefit both the teacher and the students in the class as they explore new STEM skills.

Gift Idea #4 – For the Teacher Who Needs to Relax

This self-care gift box is a great way to help a teacher relax. It includes a silk eye mask, a rose-scented candle, an insulated tumbler, bath salts, a bath bomb, and homemade soap. If you go in on this gift with other parents from your child’s class or other teachers from your school, you could add in a spa gift card to make this the ultimate relaxation escape. 

Gift Idea #5 – For the Disney-Loving Teacher

If you know a teacher who loves Disney, this personalized stationery set would be a great gift! It includes a notepad, a pen, and two packs of sticky notes. The teacher will have so much fun using this set to write notes to their students! You can even include a Disney gift card for them to use during their next vacation.

Gift Idea #6 – For the Snack-Loving Teacher

Most teachers have a supply of snacks hidden in a desk drawer. Help them restock those yummy snacks with this special snack package. It comes stocked with some sweet and savory treats that are perfect for a quick pick-me-up during the school day. You could add a gift card to a local grocery store or convenience store so they can restock when it starts to run low. 

Gift Idea #7 – For the Coffee Lover

If your child’s teacher brings coffee to school every day, then a Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts gift card may be the perfect gift. You can make it more interesting by putting it in one of cute these gift card holders. 

Gift Idea #8 – For Every Teacher

Even if you don’t buy your child’s teacher a gift, a hand-written thank you note will show just how much you appreciate all the hard work he or she does. Just have your child write a special note to the teacher inside this beautiful thank you card, and it will be treasured for years to come. (I’m sure I’m not the only teacher who has a drawer full of notes and cards from former students.)

You’re Invited!

Looking for more ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What do you think are the best teacher gifts?

Let me know in the comments.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post Holiday Gift Guide: Best Teacher Gifts for 2024 appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

Holiday Tea Party Invitations

The first impression your guests will have of your tea party is the invitation you send.  I’ve found a different invitation each year to start the excitement for the event. One of my absolute favorite invitations was the one I used for my very first tea party.  You write all of the details about the date and location on the tea bags, and they slide down into the tea cup.  All of my guests loved it!

This year, I printed my own invitations.  There are some really cute ones on Etsy. You can also design your own. I found this adorable design on Canva. I put it on the cover of a card that I created in Microsoft Publisher.  After adding the details inside, I just printed them and delivered them. That saved me time and money while still getting my guests excited about the event.

Holiday Tea Party Decorations

One of the best things about hosting a holiday tea is that most of your decorating is already done.  All of your holiday decorations set the mood for the party, and not much more is necessary. The one area I focus on is my tablescape.  A beautiful holiday tablecloth, placemats, and napkins will wow your guests. Since they will be spending the most time at the table, this will be the focus of the party.

Since it’s a tea party, the one necessary item is tea cups.  I have a very eclectic collection of tea cups. When my guests arrive, they choose their seat based on their favorite cup.  I received some of them from my grandmother. The rest I picked up at various stores over the years, or I received them as gifts.

Holiday Tea Party Menu

The menu is the most important part of your tea party.  You want a wide assortment of foods people can pick up with their fingers.  I always serve a first course of appetizers and tea sandwiches and a second course of dessert and scones.

Appetizers

As my guests arrive, they are greeted by a counter filled with delicious appetizers.  Each year I try to change what I serve, but here are a few favorites that I almost always make.  There is never any of the hot bacon cheddar dip left by the end of the party. Everyone loves it served on Ritz Crackers.

• Olive Garden Copycat Caprese Flatbread from Carrie at Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen
• Hot Bacon Cheddar Dip from Holly at Spend with Pennies
• Broccoli and Cheese Mini Quiches from Anna at Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Tea Sandwiches

It’s not a tea party without finger sandwiches.  You can fill them with anything you like. Just make sure you remove the crusts and cut them into small triangles.  I always make 3 types of tea sandwiches because my server has three tiers. These are a few of my favorites.

• Egg Salad – from Jaclyn at Cooking Classy

• Cucumber Tea Sandwiches with Lemony Dill Spread from Tracey at The Kitchen is my Playground

• Chicken Salad with Almonds and Tarragon from Gerry at Foodness Gracious

Scones

Scones are essential to a tea party, just like the tea sandwiches.  The first few years I experimented with different scone recipes. Then, I discovered the Barefoot Contessa’s recipe, and I’ve been using it ever since.  They are light and flaky, and I love the combination of the cranberry and orange flavors. Make sure you serve your scones with jam and Devonshire cream.

• Cranberry Orange Scones from Ina Garten

• Devonshire Cream from Maggie at Smashed Peas and Carrots

Desserts

• Chocolate chip cookies from Kim at The Baking ChocolaTess
• Cheesecake bites from Mostly Homemade Mom
• Sugar Cookies from Katrina at In Katrina’s Kitchen

Tea

Of course, you can’t have a tea party without tea.  I like to offer a wide variety of teas so my guests can choose their favorites.  I have water boiling in a teapot on the stove when my guests arrive. Then, I fill their teacups as they choose a seat.  I always have milk, sugar cubes, and lemon on the table for my guests to add to their tea.

Holiday Tea Party Favors

You want to leave your guests with something to remember your tea party.  I’ve had lots of different favors over the years. Some of the favorites were teacup candles and tea bags to go.

This year I’m trying something different.  Usually everyone is so full after the first course that they don’t have room for dessert.  I end up with tons of leftover cookies. When I was shopping at the Dollar Tree, I found some adorable tin containers.  Each one has a different design. I put a piece of foil inside each one, and my guests will be able to fill it with chocolate chip cookies, linzer tarts, and scones before they leave.  Now my guests can choose their seats based on their favorite teacup and favor.

Every person I invited is attending my tea this year.  They know they can expect a great time filled with friends, delicious foods, and great conversations.

Get some other ideas for bringing holiday cheer to your school.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What are your special holiday traditions?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post How to Plan a Holiday Tea Party for Your Teacher Friends appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

Must-Have Personalized Teacher Supplies

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

#1 – Library Stamp

I wish I would have had a personalized library stamp my first year teaching. I had a stamp that said, “This book belongs to __________,” but that meant hours of stamping and writing my name in hundreds of books in my classroom library.

This adorable library stamp from Glitter Puff makes labeling books a piece of cake. You can even choose your ink color and saying. Just stamp and move on to the next book. Your students will know which books belong to you for years to come.

#2 – Personalized Teacher Notes

I can’t tell you how many cards I go through in a school year. Writing thank you notes for classroom supplies, parent helpers, and holiday gifts uses a lot of thank you cards. I’m always looking for cute new ones.

These personalized teacher notes from Lemon Grace are adorable! Your students and their parents will love receiving them. You can choose your envelope color and personalize them with your name.

#3 – Teacher Clipboard

A few years ago for Christmas, my teammate bought me a personalized clipboard. I use it every single day! It holds my checklists that I use to mark the students who turned in their homework and classwork.

This personalized clipboard from Creations with Nicole would make a great gift. You can choose the color for the teacher’s name.

#4 – Sign and Return Stamp

Do you have your students’ parents sign their tests? If you do, this stamp from The One Rubber Stamps is perfect for you! You can get it as a rubber stamp or a self-inking stamp. The design is adorable, and you can customize the font.

#5 – Classroom Rules Poster

This Classroom Rules Poster from Glory Designs would look great in any classroom. It’s a printable, so just print it and frame it as a gift. The postitive message will encourage students to try their best and treat each other with kindness.

#6 – Teacher Tote Bag

A personalized bag is the perfect way to carry your papers between your classroom and home. I love this teacher tote bag from Zoey’s Attic. You can choose the type of bag and personalize everything on it. This would make a wonderful gift!

#7 – Name Labels

At the end of the school year, I have to label all of the furniture in my classroom. That’s the only way to guarantee I get everything back after the cleaning crew moves all my stuff to the hallway. These labels from Peggy and Co make labeling everything so easy!

You can customize the pictures on the labels and choose how many you want to receive. You could even use these on the books in your classroom library, too!

#8 – Reward Stickers

I have yet to meet a student who doesn’t love receiving stickers. These personalized reward stickers from Ey Up Design are amazing! Your students will be so excited to receive these special stickers from you! You can choose the color, saying, and picture on them.

#9 – Pencil Holder

Do your students constantly lose their pencils? This personalized pencil holder from Mooville Handcrafted provides 32 pencil holes. Have your students put their pencils in their assigned spots at the end of the day, and solve the problem of missing pencils.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out these great teacher gift ideas.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What are your favorite personalized items in your classroom?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post Etsy Holiday Gift Guide: Must-Have Personalized Teacher Supplies appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

Great Gifts for Your Teacher Friends

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

Christmas is approaching, and it’s time for me to select gifts for my teammates again. Those gifts are always the hardest for me to choose. Last year, I found the perfect gift, and it’s going to be hard to top these personalized pillows. I’ve been searching for an equally great gift for this year and figured I’d share some of the cute things I’ve found. Hopefully, they’ll give you some ideas for great gifts for your teacher friends.

#1 – Personalized Clipboards

A few years ago, my teammate bought adorable personalized clipboards for our team for Christmas. I use that clipboard every day. It holds my checklists that I use for everything.

I can’t get my team clipboards since we already have them, but these Erin Condren designs are so pretty. You can personalize them and choose a design each of your teacher friends will love.

#2 – Wax Warmer

Last year for Christmas, one of my students gave me a Scentsy. I didn’t even take it out of the box until the beginning of this year, and now I regret it. I love the way my classroom smells when I turn it on in the morning. Right now, we’re enjoying pumpkin spice for fall.

I found this cute sunflower pattern wax warmer. Then, I discovered this Bookworm Soy Melt for Book Lovers. Wouldn’t that be the perfect combination for a gift? Just make sure your school allows wax warmers before you purchase it. Some schools have restrictions on what can be plugged into the classroom outlets.

#3 – Team Shirts

The first grade team at my building has matching first grade team shirts. I’m jealous every time they wear them. They look so cute in their matching outfits.

Team T-shirts would be great gifts for your teacher friends. I love this design!

#4 – Planner Set

We all know that teachers are planners. With the new year approaching, a new planner would be a great gift. I love the Erin Condren planners, because I can personalize them. Check out the Teacher Lesson Planner I got for this school year.

This Monthly Planner and markers would make a perfect set for a teacher who loves organization and planning.

#5 – Tea

Every teacher needs something warm to get them through the morning. Whether it’s coffee or tea, getting their favorite blend could be a great gift. Check out these amazing Author Teas. There are 48 different authors, and each one has a different blend of tea and an amazing quote. If your teacher friends are fans of literature, these may be a great gift idea.

#6 – Wine

If your teacher friends aren’t tea drinkers, they might appreciate wine more. These adorable Santa pants will hold 2 bottles of wine or a bottle of wine on one side and some yummy snacks on the other side. This is a super cute gift that doesn’t even need to be wrapped.

#7 – Personalized Notepads

We are constantly writing notes to students and other teachers. These cute personalized notepads are perfect for any teacher. I love the adorable designs at the bottom of each one.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What do you buy as great gifts for your teacher friends?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post Great Gifts for Your Teacher Friends appeared first on Teach Without Tears.

The History of Gifts for My Teammates

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I only recommend products that I use and love.

In my 12 years of teaching, I’ve never been happy with the gifts I’ve chosen for my teammates. It’s usually the week before holiday break, and I’m frantically looking for something to give them. I go to a store and look for anything they might like or I search on Amazon for something that can be delivered within a week.

Some of the gifts I ended up with were:

• Bath Sets
• Pancake Mixes
• Coffee
• Pen Sets

All of those things are gifts they can get from their students. I wanted something special; something they would never forget.

The Perfect Gift

A few years ago, we started doing Unlock the Box Mysteries with our students. They are like breakout boxes, where the students have to work together to solve 4 clues and unlock a box that contains a special treat.

Our students love them so much! I decided to take the idea and use it for my teammates’ Christmas gifts this year. I just had to figure out what to use as a box and what to put inside. Here are the steps I used to put the gifts together.

Step 1: Choose a box.

For my Unlock the Box Mysteries, I use black toolboxes from the Dollar Tree and 4-digit number locks. My teammates already have those boxes in their classrooms, so I needed to find something different.

I went on Amazon and found really neat lock boxes. They look like books on the outside, but they are really little safes. They lock with a 3-digit code. Plus, they’re useful forever. They act as a safe that blends in with the other books on a bookshelf. Aren’t they neat?

Step 2: Decide what to put inside the box.

Since I was setting up the gifts as mini breakout boxes, I decided to get my teammates tickets to a local escape room. I bought a ticket for myself, too, so we can go together and have a fun girl’s night.

The tickets didn’t take up much space in the box, so I also got some special holiday candy to fill the rest of the space.

You can put anything you think your teammates will enjoy inside the box. It just has to be something small, because there’s not a lot of room.

Step 3: Make up the clues.

Since there are three numbers on the lock, I made up three clues for each of my teammates. They will have to follow the clues and look around their classrooms to find each number. Then, they will be able to open the box and get their surprises. I taped the first clue on top of the box before wrapping it. That way, when my teammates open it, they will be ready to start their search.

I hope my teammates have as much fun opening these gifts as I had making them! Now I just have to figure out what to get them next year that will top this idea.

You’re Invited!

Looking for ways to differentiate your lessons and meet the needs of all your students without adding more to your plate?

Join The Differentiation Conversation Community, a free community for elementary teachers where we share practical differentiation strategies, ready-to-use resources, and encouragement to help you meet the needs of all your learners.

What Do You Think?

What would you put inside the box for your teammates?
Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this post and think your teacher friends will, too, please click the button to share it on your favorite social media platform.

The post The Perfect Gift for Your Teammates at School appeared first on Teach Without Tears.