Back to School Teacher Gift – DIY Pencil Holder

by MaryAnn Alderfer · July 28, 2014

My kids looked at me like I was just a little strange when I announced that we were going to make presents to bring to their teachers on the first day of school. School doesn’t start for another month here, and they don’t even know who their teachers are next year! But, it’s not the same in other locations around the country, so I figured we’d get a head start and post about the cute pencil holders we made.

I washed out two soup cans (the same size, so no fighting) and I cut a piece of cardstock that would fit around them. The boys decorated the cardstock with Do-A-Dot markers.

I laminated the paper so it would hold up better. Grubby little hands in the classroom and whatnot.

I used the hot glue gun to glue the laminated paper onto the can. I also hot glued my finger to the can, which really really hurt a lot and I do not suggest this as a part of the project. Nothing quite like having something burning hot stuck to your finger. *shudder* Anyway, after I was done glueing and screaming and stuff, I tied a ribbon around the cans (held in place by a few pieces of tape so it can be removed if desired). Add some pencils and there you have an inexpensive, handmade, and very practical teacher gift!