Thrifty and Simple Last Minute Gifts

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This is the last week before Winter Break for me.....and probably for your kids too!

If you are PREPARED....you have all of your teacher gifts ready to send off with the kiddos...

If you are NOT PREPARED.....this post is for YOU!

HOSTESS/TEACHER GIFT EDITION

Wild Rice Soup 

Buy a bag of wild rice and print out the recipe for this delicious soup.

Put the recipe and the rice in a cute bag....Done!

All for about $5....or less if you repackage the rice into several packages!

Ingredients

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• 6 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 c minced onion 
• 1/2 c flour
• 3 c chicken broth
• 2 c cooked wild rice
• 1/3 c minced ham (optional) 
• 1/2 c grated carrots
• 3 Tbsp chopped almonds (optional)
• 1 c half & half
• 2 Tbsp dry sherry (optional)

How to make it

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• In a large sauce pan, saute onion in butter until translucent.
• Blend in flour.
• Add broth and cook, stirring.
• Bring to a boil for 1 minute and then stir in cooked wild rice, ham, carrots, and almonds.
• Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Blend in cream and sherry.
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Spiced Candied Walnuts!

I have been making these all Fall....and realize that as yummy as they are...

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they would be an super simple but elegant gift! 

I get my walnuts super cheap at CostCo!

California Walnuts.org

I have some fun little plastic take-out containers....hmmmm....guess I will have to share!

Home Made Bath Salts

Check out this link to get the recipe for a big batch of bath salts...

There are even some packaging ideas included!

I warn you though....you will end up making the recipe for yourself!!!

 

 Decorated Match Boxes

This is a tutorial for covering large kitchen match boxes!

This time of year....everyone has candles and fire places to light..

why not do it in Holiday Style?

The examples here are not "Christmasy", but I bet you can figure out how to make them in a Holiday Style!

Small Tool Kit

One of the best "teacher gifts" I ever received was a set of basic tools in a plastic box....oh so many years later....it is still in my desk at school and gets used on a regular basis....the tools don't have to be spendy....they will work for the jobs that always come up in the classroom!  You could use this idea.....but do a sewing kit too!

Donate A Book to the Library 

I am not saying this because I am a librarian!!!

Every teacher appreciates having books added to the school collection. Or....to the classroom.

Write a Heart Felt Note!

This is a totally FREE option and I speak from experience when I tell you that a note from you or your child expressing some specific thing that you appreciate about the school and the classroom.  A funny story that your child has shared with you is also fun!  

There you have it.....something for anyone on your list.....or....you could always opt for the Starbucks Card....that never fails to please!!!

Have A Great Day!

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