Last year we surprised our teachers with lush bouquets of peonies in crystal vases, but our usual tradition is to present a gift of flowers in a container that can be used long after the blossoms fade. Here are a few of my favorite ideas.
For months I collected creamware pitchers and teapots for these gifts of white. The posies looked so lovely clustered in my sitting room.
I love this shapely creamer and hope it is still used often.
One of my favorite springtime gifts is a structured tote with a vase of tulips tucked inside. I have done these for teachers and graduates over the years.
A monogrammed gift tag adds the finishing touch to this favor. This gift can also be customized for a bride or mother-to-be.
Cheery bouquets of hydrangeas offered a ray of sunshine paired with sliced lemons.
Purchasing acrylic pitchers at a discount store and taking them to a local engraver to be monogrammed was an easy, economical option for this vessel.
Rustic garden buckets made charming vases -- especially when accompanied by handmade cards featuring photos of the children taken during a trip to a local garden.
Glass canisters finished with chalkboard labels made clever containers for fresh-cut bouquets.
Whether used in the classroom or pantry, these should have a long shelf life.
Finally, for a peek at this year's gifts of periodicals tucked into magazine racks, see this post. If you have creative floral gift ideas, please share them in the comments!
"Teachers believe they have a gift for giving; it drives them with the same irrepressible drive that drives others to create a work of art or a market or a building." ~ A. Bartlett Giamatti
