Color the Year Wonderful Teacher Gift Tag
A fresh box of crayons, a pack of bright markers and a bundle of sharpened pencils tied up with twine make a cheerful gift for a teacher. A small tag with the words “Color the Year Wonderful” turns the pile of supplies into a real present.
The idea suits the start of the school year, when teachers are stocking their classrooms. It works for a single teacher, a classroom aide or a whole grade level. It is also easy to make in batches.
What You Need
- Coloring supplies: crayons, markers, colored pencils, or a mix of all three
- Cardstock, white or a pale color, for the tags
- A pen, markers or a home printer
- Scissors or a paper trimmer
- A hole punch
- Twine, ribbon or baker’s twine in a coordinating color
- Optional: a clear cellophane bag or a small gift bucket
Designing the Tag
Keep the layout simple. A rectangle about 2 by 3.5 inches fits neatly against a box of crayons. Write “Color the Year Wonderful” across the middle in a playful hand-lettered or rounded font.
Rainbow colors fit the theme. Try each word in a different color, or add a row of small colored stripes or crayon-shaped doodles along the bottom edge. Leave a little white space at the top for the hole, and a spot at the bottom for a short note such as “From your student” and the child’s first name.
You can letter the tags by hand with markers, or build them in any design app. Set the text boxes, choose a few bright colors and repeat the design several times on one page so each sheet gives you multiple tags.
How to Make the Gift
- Pick your supplies. Boxes of the same size stack and tie most neatly.
- Make the tags. Hand-letter them, or print the design on cardstock. Let any marker ink dry before you handle the tags.
- Cut out each tag. Round the corners with scissors if you like a softer look.
- Punch a hole near the top center of each tag.
- Stack the supplies in a tidy bundle, with the largest items at the bottom.
- Wrap twine around the bundle twice and knot it. Thread the tag onto one end and tie a bow.
Ways to Change It Up
- Single-color theme: Choose supplies in one color family and match the twine to it.
- Gift bucket: Put the supplies in a small pail or pencil cup the teacher can keep on a desk, and loop the tag over the handle.
- Extras: Add a pad of sticky notes, a glue stick or a small pack of erasers.
- Class gift: Have each child color one tag, then tie them all to one large basket of supplies.
- Cellophane wrap: Set the supplies on a square of cellophane, gather the corners and tie with ribbon, then attach the tag.
FAQ
What supplies do teachers use most?
Crayons, markers, pencils and glue sticks tend to go quickly in a classroom. If you aren’t sure, ask the school office or check the grade-level supply list.
Can I make the tags ahead of time?
Yes. Cut and punch them days in advance and keep them flat in an envelope. Tie the bundles the night before so the bows stay crisp.
