Teacher Gift

I have four days to make five handmade gifts. Wish me luck. I'm grateful that these two for E's teacher are already finished. They were simple enough that E could help me make them.

Hand Warmer
I borrowed this idea from my friend Polly @ Helping Little Hands. Two 4.5" squares sewn together and filled with rice and dried lavender (optional) make great little hand warmers to use during recess. I used some scraps on hand and let E help me with the sewing. If nothing else, they'll make good bean bags for classroom games.

Sugar Scrub
I've been wanting to make these for years! It's so easy, I don't know why I waited. I found cute little jars at Walmart for two dollars each. I filled each about half full with sugar and then poured the sugar into a bowl to mix with enough olive oil to dampen. Then I added dried lavender in the hopes of scenting the scrub. It didn't work, so I'm going to have to beg a few drops of lavender oil from a friend tomorrow. I tried out the scrub, and it works great!


Mary's First Christmas by Walter Wangerin Jr.

And if you're looking for a good Christmas book to give as a gift, this is my absolute favorite. You can read my review here. The book is set up in short, gorgeously illustrated chapters, making it perfect to give NOW, a week before Christmas.