End of Term

Monday 13 July 2015


It's nearly the end of term. Four more days to go and I am prepared, yes I am! I am prepared for the teachers end of year's pressies. Last year, I did this. This year, I'm doing flowers again but differently. 

The other week, I bought a Mason jar. Mason jars are basically preserving jars which come with a screw lid which is made up of two parts, an outer rim and an inner disc. I removed the inner disc and left the screw rim on. I stuck some peonies in and then sat back with a cup of Earl Grey to admire my handiwork.



Looks good eh? And that's where the idea for the teacher's end of term presents evolved from. I liked last year's presents but I had one little worry about them - because it was such a hot day, the flowers were starting to wilt a little by the time I got round to handing them out. They needed a little drink to keep them at their best. So I've sorted out that problem by using Mason jars.




I thought I'd give the idea a trial run to see how they would work. So I purchased a stack of jars the size down from what I have the peonies in. I bought a bunch of Sweet Williams - you get a lot of bang for your buck with these. A bunch of these will fill 3  to 4 jars. I found some downloadable printable thank you tags and printed and made those. Last of all, I dragged out a bit of gardening twine.



Hocus, pocus, abracadabra. Teacher's thank you presents sorted!




You don't really need instructions for this - you just need to make sure your flowers sit nicely as an arrangement in the jar. You need to be able to tie a bow and attach a tag. That's it.





I thought I'd do a trial run and post this earlish just incase anyone needs any ideas for teacher thank you presents this year but they also make lovely presents to take to dinner parties for the hostess. The chalkboard tags are very pretty but I'm sticking with some white ones so George can write on the front of his tags.




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Last Note :

  • Don't forget to give the inner disc lid when you give the jar so whoever is receiving the flowers can make full use of the jar when the flowers are long gone.
  • My jars were from Home Bargains and prices start at 69p for the smaller jars. The larger jar which is holding the peonies is still only 99p. Bargain indeed.
  • Don't overfill the jars with water - you have to transport them!
  • My favourite downloadable tags are here for the white Thank You tags, here for the chalkboard style ones and here for some pretty Orla Kiely'esque ones.
  • I sold a batch of these at last weeks cricket gala to raise funds for the cricket club which is when I was asked to make one for a lady who wanted a dinner party gift. Hence the dinner party gift idea!

Destination cricket gala.



20 comments

  1. I remember your pressies from last year - crikey that's come round quickly. Love, love, love these Sue. I need to find a Home Bargains place. x

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    1. Oh you can find these jars all over the place now - the Ball Mason ones are the traditional ones but they cost a little more. I just happened to come across these in Home Bargains when I was scouting for something else. I couldn't resist buying the first big jar and then went back for the little ones. I've done 3 runs for those jars so far! They are proving popular.

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  2. Such a fantastic idea Sue and so pretty. My 14 year old daughter is really into Mason jars and has one with a straw for milkshake. I will definitely go to Home Bargains and see if I can pick some up. Thank you, Liz, www.whatlizzyloves.com xxx

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    1. I think Clas Ohlson do the ones with a handle and drinking straws - they are really pretty. But yes, Home Bargains proved to be rather a surprise when I found these lovely jars. I've already had a friend who has used the idea for presents.

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  3. Wow, these look gorgeous and it's such an original idea. I may have to steal this when my son starts school ;) Jane x

    http://arthursmum.com

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    1. It's a nice way to do it. Not the easiest thing to transport but still manageable if you don't have too many to do. I like the way you can personalise the tags. One of the popular things is a tag which says "Thank you for helping me bloom" which is nice for teachers.

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  4. i copied you last year, this year I purchase some teacher diaries for them from a local gift shop. However, your beautiful handmade gift seem more a personalised gift .... a may steal this idea for L nursery teacher when she moves up to the next class. Good job. xx Love that "Thank you for making me Bloom" very sweet! x

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    1. Another good present, my teacher friend says is a nice lanyard. They clash with necklaces so she has a selection to choose from which she wears instead of a necklace. You can have a different one for a different outfit and you can personalise them too.

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    2. I got Cath Kidston lanyards for christmas, it was a hit with N's teacher, who is a CK fan. x

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  5. I'll bet the teachers love to see you coming at the end of term time. They're always assured of such pretty gifts. They're lovely

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    1. Unless they're male and they don't like flowers! But for the time being, I'm okay. 3 more days to go!

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  6. Never mind the teachers.......I'm making one of these for myself Sue! Brilliant idea, love it! xx

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  7. This is such a lovely idea! If I had kids and needed to make pressies, this is a wonderful idea. There's something more satisfying about homemade presents but it takes some organisation. Looks like you nailed it!

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    1. You don't need kids to do this one. Make one for yourself or make one for a friend. Just because.

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    2. You're right. Just because.

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  8. Thanks so much for posting this. Jr and I have just made two for his TAs and one for us and we're totally thrilled with them and we think they will be too.

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    1. Oh that's lovely to hear. And it's so simple too isn't it? You don't really need to be crafty to do this but it's lovely as it shows a little thought as you can personalise it through the tags. I've kept a big jar and a small jar for myself so I can do myself a jar of flowers every now and then.

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  9. I bloody love these posts Sue, really inspiring. It's hard to come up with ideas that aren't too over the top or complicated, but these jars look like a perfect balance. Last year I spent ages making a lavender bag for Grace's teacher and she was devastated because she forgot to tell her that the lavender had come from our garden! Major stress! :-D xx

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Susie So So