Homemade Teacher Gifts: A Bouquet of Freshly Sharpened Pencils

Once upon a time, I taught in the classroom. And I kept adorable little pots of pens and pencils on my desk.

It would usually take about a month for me to ask aloud, “Why don’t I have anything to write with!?!?” And students would sheepishly look away.

I would realize: most of my pens and pencils had been “borrowed” away… never to return to their stylish little desk organizer.

And then a solution presented itself:  a handmade “flower pencil” won’t walk out of the classroom! Mostly because it’s huge. And it’s too pretty to steal.

If you’ve ever seen the movie,  “You’ve Got Mail” (and if you’re a woman between the ages of 18-60, you probably have. And if you haven’t, you should), you’ll recognize the phrase, “A bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils….” It’s an homage to the fall. To the love of office supplies.

And they make perfect homemade teacher gifts.

Supplies needed to make your own pencil bouquet homemade teacher gifts:

• 6-7 Sharpened Pencils
• David Tutera’s Paper Wedding Flowers in Purple, Fuschia, and Cream
• Small Green Craft Leaves
• Floral Tape
• Metal Flower Pot
• Glue Gun
• Aquarium Gravel or Sand
• “Bouquet of Freshly Sharpened Pencils” Gift Tag < click to print

I started my homemade teacher gifts by gluing the flowers onto the erasers of the pencils .You’ll see that I also wound the floral wire around the pencil for extra stability. Be generous with your glue – remember, kids might be using them!

Once the glue has dried, wind your leaf around the pencil in a natural spot.

Starting at the eraser, wrap the pencil with floral tape. Floral tape is a bit finicky, so take your time and wind it tightly. I found it much easier to turn the pencil in my hand and let the tape wrap itself around the pencil. Continue until you get to the tip of the pencil and cut. The floral tape will stick to itself.

It won’t take long to have a collection of flower pencils for homemade teacher gifts. I think I was finished with these homemade teacher gifts in under a half hour!

Add aquarium gravel or sand to your flower pot, and arrange your pencils. The flowers are full enough to create the appearance of a full bouquet of flowers. And they won’t easily walk away from a desk, either!

And if you’d like to continue on with the movie quote theme, I made a printable to go along with these homemade teacher gifts!

Click here to get your own “Bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils” gift tag.

And even if you aren’t a teacher – but work in customer service, at a front desk, or just a place where people walk away with your pencils and pens – consider this pot of flower pencils. I promise you – they will stick around!

Tara

Tara is the creator, writer, and flurry of chaos behind her blog, Suburble. Her blog focuses on making a home (emphasis on “making!”), but not forgetting to have a laugh in the process. Her partners-in-crime, her two little girls, are often beside her when it’s time to get creative. A mug of tea, good friends, and a project (or three) are all this girl needs. Join the gang at Suburble and see what we’re up to!