Easy Back-to-School Teachers Gifts: Mini Lunch Boxes

August 21, 2010

in 30-Minute Crafter

I got several requests for more information on the “Teacher Survival Kit,” so here are the full instructions. This originally appeared on my “other” scrapbooking blog in 2007:

Even if your kids have already begun the school year, it’s not too late to treat their teachers to a little something… so here’s a quick project you can do in under an hour (and under $10 if you play your cards right):

Supplies:
*Mini lunchbox (I got mine at Michael’s for $1)
*Patterned paper (I used Sweetwater’s Cotton Candy collection)
*Adhesive
*Ink for distressing
*Corner rounder
*Label maker
*Ribbon and other embellishments as desired

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1. Measure lunchboxes so you know what size to cut the paper. Mine measured around 4-3/4″ x 3-1/2″.

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2. Trim two pieces of patterned paper to the appropriate size. Round corners and distress edges. Adhere to the sides of lunchbox. I used regular Tombow permanent adhesive; you could also use a Xyron or a Cheetah if you so desired.

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3. Using glue dots or the adhesive of your choice, adhere rick-rack around edges of lunchbox.

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4. Using a labeler, stickers or rub-ons, type out the teacher’s name and adhere to the handle of the lunchbox. Also type out “Back to School Survival Kit” and adhere to top of lunchbox. I put mine at an angle to look a little “scrappy.”

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5. Take a breath and admire your work thus far.

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6. Fill box with “necessities,” such as a protein bar, hand lotion, Purell, mints, and a Starbucks gift card (labeled  “In case of emergency”). Realize you may have just set a very high bar for future teacher gifts.

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7. Tie ribbon on handles, add a tag from your child, and smile. You’ve done something nice for someone!

P.S. Want to read more about quick and easy Back-to-School teachers gifts? Check out my mini notepad tutorial.

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  • http://fastercraft.com Shannon

    Very cute!

  • http://www.recipecircle.com/back-to-school-time-for-creative-lunch-ideas-for-the-new-school-year/ Back To School – Time for Creative Lunch Ideas for the New School Year

    [...] Easy Back-to-School Teachers Gifts: Mini Lunch Boxes | 30-Minute … [...]

  • Jen McGuire

    Glad you reposted this! I was looking for it on your other blog. This is such a cute project. School started on August 11, but I still think I’m going to send in one of these!

  • http://drmaggiemcguire.com Maggie McGuire

    Here is a recipe for Peanut Butter Playdough. I used it for years in my kindergarten class. The best thing is after the kids have finished sculpting with it, they can eat it so clean up is a snap. It takes like peanut butter fudge.
    Peanut Butter Play Dough
    1 16 oz. jar of peanut butter
    1 envelope of powdered milk
    1/2 c. honey

    Mix well. Use as play dough or roll into balls. Roll in crushed nuts or graham cracker crumbs. Decorate creations with raisins.
    Enjoy! Dr. Maggie

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