I really appreciate our teachers. They are often under-appreciated and underpaid. I am often waiting until the last minute (like I don’t know the school year is ending) and usually rush around and grab something useful but not meaningful. This year, I decided to ask a teacher and find things that would be unique, wanted, and might be able to come from my garden.
I asked a friend (Brittany Haas) who’s mom is a teacher and these are her thoughts:
Now that the school year is coming to a close, it’s time to reflect on all that our teachers do for us. However, this year is one of strange uncertainty. Since we’re unsure when we’ll see our teachers again, now is the perfect time to give them a thoughtful gift.
Though our teachers appreciate our thoughts, we very often give them quick gifts. Things such as Starbucks gift cards and coffee mugs are useful; but, if you want to give your teacher something truly unique, consider something homemade or homegrown.
Naturally, homemade gifts are the most memorable and meaningful. They communicate that you notice all the attention and care they give their students. So, what better way to reciprocate this than something you grew yourself?
Here are 5 homegrown, thoughtful gifts that shout “I appreciate you!” to any teacher.
Relaxing Herbal Sachets
Your teacher is no stranger to stress. Therefore, what better present than one of natural, calming relaxation? Better yet, one they can store in their desk or pockets, for easy access?
To create a relaxing herbal sachet, try to include one of the following stress-reducing herbs:
- Holy Basil
- Lemon Balm
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Passionflower
These herbs have shown, in some studies, to reduce stress and muscle tension. Making this a great alternative to anxiety-inducing energizers, such as coffee.
Simply gather these herbs (preferably dried) into a small sachet. Try not to break or release the scent of your herbs in the process. Then, tie with a nice ribbon and a note reminding your teacher to “smell when stressed”!
Inhaling these relaxing herbs is like a quick, accessible aromatherapy. This gift is particularly thoughtful, also, as it’s mindful to the daily stress teachers endure. What’s more, when given in dried form, these gifts will last months, even years!
Fresh Produce Basket
If your garden already has pluck-able produce, consider making a produce basket. This home-grown gift is a wonderful alternative to expensive, edible arrangements.
This gift is perfect for a busy, stressed teacher. Note that most teachers do not utilize lunch time for eating. Instead, this time is usually used for cleaning or preparing for upcoming lessons. In this time, a fresh snack variety would be perfect for your hard-working teacher!
What Produce to Use
When deciding what produce to put in your basket, there are some factors to consider. First, ensure your teacher is not allergic to any types of food. It may also be polite to inquire on their particular tastes and preferences. (So, if you know they love blueberries, this will come in handy!)
Although some produce isn’t pleasant on its own, it may be useful for cooking or flavored drinks. For your basket, try to have a mix of ready-to-eat and garnish produce. For instance, a ripe apple is perfect for a quick snack, but fresh limes and lemons are just as thoughtful.
Additionally, you may consider “pairing” produce together. Some popular pairs include:
strawberries and bananas
- tomatoes and peppers
- cucumbers and avocados
- bell peppers and onions
- apples and lemons
By gifting tasty produce combinations, your teacher may find it more useful to cook with. Just think, if they decide to cook an omelette, they’ll have the bell peppers and onions ready!
Decoration and Assembly
A home-grown basket full of tasty fruits and veggies is more than thoughtful. Though, if you want to make your basket more presentable, here are some tips.
1. Pick a container. Don’t have a traditional, woven basket? No problem. Check your home for any loose flower pots, gift bags, or bowls. (Here is where you can earn more brownie points for up-cycling!)
When you’ve selected a container, make sure it can protect your gifted produce. You may want to buffer the basket with cloth, shredded paper, or a thin blanket.
2. Assembly. Make sure your heaviest, largest produce the first inside. It may be ideal to center this produce in the middle, as an anchor. While smaller, produce can edge the container. Then, you may place your most delicate produce on top of the arrangement.
Tip: For gifting small, delicate produce (such as berries), try protecting them in a glass jar.
3. Decorations. There are easy, up-cycled ways to enhance the innate beauty of your gift basket. For instance, try adding organic decals such as vines, leaves, and flowers. These lovely, easy-to-find items are the perfect accessories for a produce arrangement.
4. Other Additions. If you want to make your basket more thoughtful, try adding complementary items from home. Decadent treats such as nuts, jams, and chocolates may be perfect additions.
Infused Olive Oil
Herbs such as mint, rosemary, and basil can infuse fuller flavors into olive oils. They can also make for lovely, unique gifts for your student’s teacher. This gift, however, may take 2-3 weeks to prepare.
Before picking your herbs, think of which blend nicely together. Luckily, it’s hard to go wrong on which to blend to make a flavorful oil. Some tasty combinations may include:
- Basil and thyme
- Rosemary and oregano
- Thyme and sage
And, if you want to give more flavor to your olive oil, try adding spices such as paprika and cracked pepper. You may even add in sun-dried tomatoes for a summery, savory flavor!
How to Make an Infused Oil
1. Select your herbs and spices of choice. Wash the bundle and lightly break to ooze the flavor.
2. Warm your olive oil on the stove-top. Place herbs and spices in a glass container or pan. Then, pour the olive oil on top and seal the container. For the most flavor, allow the mixture to sit for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Reminder: Olive oil is a monounsaturated oil, which is more perishable than other oils. This means refrigerating the oils during infusion and storage is critical.
3. Once 1-2 weeks has passed, taste your olive oil. If the flavors are not strong enough, try adding more herbs and spices. Allow the mixture to sit for another week.
Strong flavors or not, however, you may want to strain the herbs out at this stage. Herb mixtures that are not strained risk being too pungent overtime. It may be easiest to strain the tiny herbs out with a cheesecloth.
4. Once the oil is tasty and infused, you may store it in a glass bottle, and give it to your teacher! This gift is particularly unique, since it is your own personal herb and spice mixture.
Tip: Before storing your oils in a glass container, ensure it is completely dry. Any water trapped inside your bottle may lead to rancidity or grow bacteria. For a longer shelf life, dry your herbs before infusion.
Homemade Jam
Next, is a gift perfect for sweet-toothed or fruit-loving teachers. Homemade jam is easier than you may think, and needs few household ingredients!
How to Make Homemade Jam (without additives)
1. Select your fruit (my favorite are peaches!), and cut into small, even chunks.
2. Add granulated sugar, lemon, and salt. As a general rule of thumb, add 1/10 cup sugar (or about 1 1/2 tbsp) to every 1 cup of fruit. So, if you have about 1 lb. (5 cups) of fresh berries, I would add about 1/2 cup in sugar.
Tip: That particular measurement would make approximately 2 jars of jam!
Next, for more flavor, add about 1-2 tbsp. of lemon, and a pinch of salt.
3. Mix fruit, sugar, and lemon. Then boil. After you mash the jam and sugar into a mushy paste, boil the mix for approximately 20 minutes. Once the big bubbles start looking more condensed and small, your jam is ready.
Tip: To ensure your jam is ready, pour a bit on a cold spoon. Once it’s cool, swirl your finger through it. If it clears way and doesn’t fill in the gaps, your jam is at the right texture.
4. Store. Store your jam in an airtight, glass jar. Since your jam has no additives, inform your teacher to consume it within the next 2 weeks. It is also critical to store in a refrigerator. Add a ribbon and a sweet note for the final touches, and voila!
Herbal and Flower Bouquet
If you enjoyed the idea of a fresh produce basket, but only have herbs and flowers, then fret not! Similar to fruits and vegetables, herbs and flowers also have a sundry of benefits.
Gather an arrangement from your garden, and bundle into a nicely tied bouquet. You may also do this in a canned jar version for dried plants.
If your teacher enjoys tea, it may be thoughtful to include:
- mint, chamomile, lemon balm, or lavender.
If they’re a candle-lover, some nicely scented plants to include are:
- lemon grass, lavender, ginger, jasmine, or roses.
For teachers that love to cook, consider adding:
- basil, thyme, mint, or oregano.
A bouquet is a classic, beautiful gift. However, adding in herbs will make a pretty bundle more practical and useful. Traits your teacher will be appreciative of!
Closing Thoughts
It’s important to note that our teachers appreciate most anything we take time to give. Yet, a homegrown gift gives a special, useful touch on the typical gifts a teacher may receive.
From what I’ve learned, give a teacher something they’ll really use, or really remember. So much of a teacher’s position is driven by pure love and dedication. Since they receive little financial reassurance, we can at least provide loving reassurance. And what better time to say thanks, then in this unsure world we live in now?
Happy Planting!
DeeAnn- The Victory Garden Gal
Research Articles:
- Glass, Emily. “How to Infuse Your Own Olive Oil With Herbs and Spices”. One Green Planet Food, One Green Planet, 2017. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/how-to-infuse-your-own-olive-oil-with-herbs-and-spices/
- Obsert, Lindsay. “4 Powerful Herbs Proven to Reduce Stress”. Food Revolution Network, Food Revolution Network, 21 December 2017. https://foodrevolution.org/blog/herbs-reduce-stress/