This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Seattle’s Best Coffee. All opinions are 100% mine.
The first day of school.
It’s exciting, it’s nerve-racking, it’s a bit chaotic.
I’ve got two little ones in school now – Kindergarten and First Grade! I now have two outfits to pick out, two sets of teeth to help brush, one mop of little girl hair to brush, two lunches to pack… You can bet my hands are full every morning.
Let’s be real here for just a second and just admit that mornings are fueled by coffee. Lots of coffee.
I’ll admit that I don’t do a single thing before I march myself over the the coffee pot each morning.
So for the first day of school, we made this little gift for my kids teachers so they can start their day with a cup of coffee. We’re sure they have their own, but as a sign of solidarity, I wanted to give them a coffee mug and a little K-Cup of Seattle’s Best breakfast blend (my favorite). Isn’t it a sweet little gift?
This is a SUPER easy teacher gift that turns out adorable. Since my kids are young I did the paper folding but they older ones could do this all by themselves.
All you do is print the free apple container printable that you can find here and follow the folding directions! They have lots of other really great ideas for making back to school mornings awesome and having the best day ever, like fun lunchbox notes, coffee recipes and a first day of school Q&A. Check out their Best Day List.
Oh! And you can stock up on your favorite Seattle’s Best coffees by using this $1 off coupon.
A cup of coffee is an awesome way to say hello to a new teacher so you can all start your day off awesome!
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
Melanie says
I know this is a sponsored post, but contrary to popular belief, not everyone starts their day with coffee. I personally can’t stand the stuff. While I would welcome and appreciate any sign of thoughtfulness from a student or parent, a simple card, picture or note from a student or parent were the most cherished gifts I received during my 30 years of teaching.
Julie says
Thank you! I’m a teacher, and I hate coffee. I appreciate that you want to do something nice for your kids’ teachers on the first day of school. I think that’s wonderful. But let me tell you, I absolutely HATE when parents gift me with things they think I should enjoy, or when they give me homemade junk from their kids. I have my own child whose artwork is far more precious to me than that of the 300+ kids I’ve taught over the years. If you want to thrill your kid’s teachers, consider how little they get paid for the incredibly difficult job of teaching your kids every day, and present them with something they can actually use: Gift cards. Visa, Amazon, Target, and Starbucks are my favorites, in that order. Stop forcing them to drink coffee or regift things, and get them something they can actually use!
Joyce says
RUDE, maybe they can’t afford gift cards. They may not have a job or have a job that pays less than your job. Be appreciative of anything you receive.
Rose says
I totally agree . The teachers I have known when my kids were small they always appreciated every present they got … God bless you ….
Cheryl says
Great idea, but not everyone drinks coffee! I don’t & know that my daughter, who is a high school teacher, doesn’t drink it either!
Sharon Hardy says
I’m not a teacher, but coffee mugs are NOT a great gift. We all have mugs that we won’t ever use! Please! NO MORE MUGS! A donation to a charity of the teacher’s choice, along with a heartfelt card would be perfect!
Freda brockman says
It don’t have to be coffee hot chocolate tea everbody uses mugs
Amanda says
I agree!!! After so many years of teaching, one accumulates a mountain of coffee mugs. Think about it. If every kid in a teacher’s class(say 20kids) buys a mug…that’s 20 mugs a year. Even 5 a year is a lot whether you drink coffee or not. And I have little use for a mug, i only drink cold beverages. Yes, teachers appreciate any gift they’re given even if it’s not something they like, or something they will use. But let’s try to think out of the box!
Joanne says
Think about this. Do you drink water? Hot or cold, you can drink anything out of a mug. Get 5 mugs or 20 mugs, use a different one every school day. Ice cold drinks can be put in a hot cold container just as well as coffee, tea or hot chocolate. When a child sees you using the one that he or she gave you, they will be thrilled. At the end of the school year you can donate the cups to a thrift shop or to a church or charity of your choice so that little gift a child gave you continues to be used. No one says you have to keep them forever. I would think this idea if far better then gripping about a gift a child is so excited to have given you.
Sandi M says
Agreed. Since when is it ok to tell a student what they should gift the teacher? The cold just wants to please you and as said above, seeing their teacher use their mug, that they have chosen, will simply make their day! It’s all about the kids anyway, right?
Joyce says
Donate your mugs to a Veterans hospital.
Violet says
If your child’s teacher is a first-year teacher, she’ll appreciate her first teacher mug. I still have my first one. After that, assume teachers have all the mugs they need. Who has room to store 20 mugs and use a different one every day?! The kids aren’t the ones picking out the gifts. Displaying their card or artwork is enough to make them feel special. Let the teacher donate to a charity if she chooses, but remember our paychecks are much smaller than they should be, and give us something that will help us out. I always appreciate gift cards so much – they often pay for all my Christmas gifts for my family. That’s the best gift of all – not being poor for a little while!
Evelyn says
I preferred handwritten notes! I don’t drink coffee! I drink tea. I’m retired and I can appreciate the thoughtfulness of the gift. During Teacher Appreciation Week some of my former students thank me on Facebook.that makes my heart sing with joy!
Nicole says
I don’t know, maybe it is me and the way I was raised, but I was taught to be thankful and gracious for any gift. Instead of complaining about not drinking coffee or about too many mugs, how about a thank you. The idea that a parent took the time to think about, get and put together any gift is a kind, thoughtful gesture. I never expect a gift, so anything a student or parent gets is always welcome, regardless of what it is. If you don’t drink coffee, then give it to someone who does. Remember the age-old adage that it’s the thought that counts, and be appreciative of that.
Beverly says
Nicole. ..you read my mind. It’s definitely the thought that counts. Teachers are not teachers for the gifts or pay. It’s a calling and letting your heart lead. Sweet idea!
Christa says
Amen! A gift like this is thoughtful even if you don’t drink coffee! Just say “Thank you” and you will make the child’s day! If they ask you later if you drank it, just say it made your day to get a gift from them! Don’t burst anyone’s bubble when it is a gift!
Retired Kindergarten Teacher-31 years
Casey says
Well said and I agree. There’s to much complaining.
Sandi M says
I was raised the same way. Be grateful.
D says
I totally agree with you, Thought the previous post sounded kind of ungrateful. Maybe the kid got a 5.00 spending limit and shopped long and hard for that MUG.
Teresa Newell says
I, too, do not drink coffee, and have received the proverbial “zillions” of coffee mugs through the years, but never would I hurt a child’s feelings by rejecting a gift. The mugs make great pencil/ supply holders, and extras go to the staff lounge for visitor’s use. Coffee K-cups, I share with my friends who can appreciate them, and they let me use their machines for an occasional cup of hot chocolate! Never let a child know their extra special gift is unappreciated….by someone!!!
Sandi M says
It’s just heartwrenching to think that a teacher would do this, even unintentionally, to a child.
Kara says
No one said they wouldn’t thank the child and parents, or that they would reject a child’s gift. We’re all just offering better suggestions for showing appreciation. I’m assuming no one wants to think a teacher is going home and deciding what to do with the gifts she doesn’t want, but that’s what most of us do. These are just suggestions for better gifts the teacher actually wants. No teacher I know would ever make a child or parents feel bad about the gift. The fact that we’re gracious enough to thank people for the unwanted gifts and pretend we like them is why people need suggestions for gifts – people don’t usually know what to give their teachers.
D says
Better Gifts? Wow
Sherrie says
I totally agree! I think most teachers I have encountered over the years love getting anything!
Thanks for the tip!
Sherrie P.
Casey says
Great job with this. Ignore the mean people’s comments. I think teachers would appreciate the gift no matter what. Isn’t it the thought that counts.
Oh yah and guess what you can drink tea and other things out of a “coffee” cup.
I’m sorry but negitve people trying to push people down irritate me.
Great idea.
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Cassie Johnson says
I start my day with 2 cups of coffee, then I’ll begin house cleaning. After then it’s dinner for my Big Man.
Marilyn says
I wa t to know where to get the dog (Boston Terrier) mug. It is adorable.
Sandi M says
Try your local pet store. You could also check Amazon. I’m sure if you type in the search bar “Boston Terrier Coffee Mug” something will pop up for you.
Kathy weinreber says
Wow…to the comments below. Exactly why I never spend a lot on teachers gifts. I always helped my kids make gifts. Kids love to give from the heart! My kids adored every one of their teachers. If I gave a coffee mug I bought a plain one and they painted on it for the teacher. I also painted ceramic planters with a inspirational quote about teachers. We made bugs/butterflies on it with their fingerprint for decoration. I figured they could always repot a plant and leave in classroom year after year. Store bought gifts do not carry the same sentiment something they helped make does.
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Sprunki says
Not all teachers drink coffee. Some prefer tea, gift cards (e.g., Visa, Amazon, Target), or non-food items like classroom supplies. If unsure, a gift card with a coffee-themed tag is versatile.
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Boy99 says
We’re sure they have their own, but as a sign of solidarity, I wanted to give them a coffee mug and a little K-Cup of Seattle’s Best breakfast blend (my favorite Poor Bunny).
Vidmix says
This made the whole topic so much clearer for me. Thanks a lot!
monument valley says
This is such a fun idea for teacher gifts! As a parent, I totally relate to those hectic school mornings fueled by coffee. Your printable makes it easy to show appreciation. Thanks for sharing!
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