Some Lovin’ from our Oven: A super simple teacher gift

by Christina Reif · April 25, 2016

Things are beginning to wind down for the summer, which means it’s that time of year for teacher gifts. Now, as a former teacher, these are very dear to my heart. Especially for the upper years…since we hardly get them. (Just sayin’.) But no matter what age, there is always the struggle of what to get a teacher. Mugs? Candy? Something decorative? Perhaps any of those would do, but since I am currently overwhelmed by my own stuff, I didn’t want to add to anyone’s clutter, let alone someone who cared deeply for my child. So I opted for a perishable, i.e. consumable, gift. Enter stage right the Baked Teacher Gift!

This was literally one of the easiest things I have done as a gift for someone. I was able to fit it in during a busy day of being out all morning, preparing a three-tiered cake, dinner prep, and our hurried departure for the final performance where we had to give these gifts. (Throw in some putting kids down for naps and taking pictures of this, and you’ve got a glimpse of my Friday last week!) So yes, it is doable even for you!

First, you need a baked good. It can be anything. I went with some bread because I make this sourdough all the time and I have the recipe memorized. But you could do cookies or coffeecake or muffins or a pie. You choose how difficult (or not!) you want to be. And honestly, it could be some made box brownies or this easy orange creamsicle cake. I won’t tell! The one caveat I would say is actually make it use the oven in some way. The oven is kinda key for this little play on words.

Then get yourself a blank card. You could make one out of a folded (or not!) piece of cardstock. Then write neatly the following words:

As a thank you for your

LOVIN’

here’s something from our

OVEN

I had my oldest write a simple note inside: “Thank you for being my teacher. Love, Sebastian”. And he drew a pictures since he is really into drawing these days. But this baked teacher gift would be great even without the personalization. I mean, you did bake for them after all!

Tie it up with a piece of ribbon, and you’re good to go.

And if you go the route of bread, it would be great to pair it with this flavored butter. In fact, that was my original plan, but I ran out of time (and memory capacity) to do that. But I know it will be appreciated with or without the butter.

So hopefully you see how easy this gift is, but let me share with you one my favorite features of this baked teacher gift from the perspective of a former teacher. It will be used up! It won’t sit around collecting dust. It will be enjoyed and the trash discarded. But the memory and appreciation will still be there.

And that is a beautiful thing.