Back to school is just around the corner, and we are hopeful for a great school year! The kids are really excited to meet their new teachers (in person!) with these creative school supplies free printable gift tags and easy DIY pencil holder gifts perfect for teachers.
We are all so thankful for our teachers, and this year is no exception! If last year taught us anything, it’s that our amazing teachers are something we shouldn’t take for granted. The boys like to take something to their teacher on the first day of school, so we usually choose something off the teacher’s My Favorite Things list and turn their school supplies into a little gift.
What do teachers really want for gifts?
Every year getting teachers a gift can feel a little overwhelming! You don’t want to waste money on something they don’t really need or want, and you also have to set a budget (especially if you are buying for more than one teacher). How many candles and coffee cups does a teacher really want?!
Here are some easy tips for the best teacher gifts to give at the beginning of school!
- Find the teacher’s Amazon Wish List
- Add a cute gift tag to the school supplies from the teacher’s list
- Buy extra school supplies (in case there are students who can’t afford supplies)
- Give the teacher a My Favorite Things List and choose something to bring in the first day
- Make a homemade DIY gift that the teacher can use in the classroom like these cute DIY pencil holders (markers/highlighters/expo markers)
Table of Contents
Cute DIY Pencil Holder for Teacher
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Every classroom needs a lot of pencils! Send in your pencil donation in this adorable DIY pencil holder. Simply print the pencil shapes, cut, and glue onto an aluminum can. So easy, your kids can make this for their teachers on their own.
Grab the printable at the end of this post!
Bright DIY Teacher Gift Highlighter Holder
Highlighters are super useful in the classroom in every subject. Send in these school supplies in a cute highlighters container. Just print the highlighter template, cut, and glue to create this easy back to school teacher gift!
Printable can found at the end of this post!
Easy DIY School Supplies Gift Tag for Expo Markers
Kids use expo markers every day to write on individual white boards. Give the teacher this expo marker holder to keep up with all the markers!
Again, you can find the Expo Marker printable at the end of this post.
Useful DIY Sharpie Marker School Supplies Printable Gift Tag
Sharpie markers seem to be for older kids or maybe just for the teachers. Either way this is a cute way for teacher to keep up with sharpie markers all year! Find the sharpie template printable, cut, and glue.
All printables are at the end of this post!
Supplies to Make a DIY Pencil Holder:
- Free Printable (Pencil, Sharpie Marker, Highlighter, or Expo Marker)
- 28 oz aluminum can (I used Hanover Blue Lake Green Beans can, I buy these at Walmart. The link is so you can see what it looks like!)
- Scissors
- Hot Glue Gun, Mod Podge, or Double sided tape
- Free Printable Gift Tag
- Decorative String
- Dollar Tree pool noodles cut into 1″ pieces for the pencil holder or 2″ pieces for the markers/highlighters/expo markers
- White sturdy paper (cardboard, cardstock, or posterboard)
How to Make an Easy Pencil Holder with FREE Printables
Step 1: Empty out the contents of the 28 oz aluminum can and clean out the can.
Step 2: Print the template you want to use for your DIY container (Pencil, Sharpie Marker, Highlighter, or Expo Marker)
Step 3: Cut out the template.
Step 4: Place the template around the aluminum can and secure with double sided tape, mod podge, or a hot glue gun. Follow the directions below for the specific template you are choosing to make.
Directions for Pencil Template:
Glue the red (eraser piece) to the top of the can. Leave a 1 inch gap (to create the metal piece on a pencil). Then wrap the yellow piece around the bottom of the can and secure with glue.
Directions for Highlighter and Expo Marker Template:
Cut out the lid template of the marker/highlighter. Then fold gently along the lines. Wrap the lid template around the top of the can and secure with glue. Then cut out the marker/highlighter bottom template. Wrap around the can and secure with glue.
Directions for Sharpie Template:
Cut out the lid, wrap around the can and secure with glue. Then cut out the sharpie bottom and wrap around the can. Then secure with glue.
Step 5: Trace the bottom of the can onto sturdy paper (cardstock, poster board, or cardboard) to create a circle and cut out.
Step 6: Cut 1″ pieces of pool noodle for the pencil holder or 2″ pieces of pool noodle for the Expo Markers/Sharpie Markers/Highlighters. Then place the pieces into the bottom of the can. Lastly place the circle made from sturdy paper in the bottom of the can to create a floor for the container.
Step 7: Print and cut out a gift tag that goes with the holder you are making. Put a hole punch at the top of the gift tag. Then tie the gift tag around the container.
Step 8: Place your pencils, highlighters, expo markers, or sharpie markers in the container!
Now you have a fun back to school gift for your new teacher!
Free Printable Gift Tags for Back to School {for Teachers}
Choose from these 4 free printable gift tags for school supplies!
- Wishing you a BRIGHT school year!
- Let’s start the year off “WRITE” Happy first day of school!
- Looking forward to a reMARKable school year!
- This school year is looking SHARP with you as my teacher!
FREE Back to School Printable Gift Tags
Free Printable Pencil Holder Templates
Below you will find the free printables for the Pencil Holder Template, Highlighter Template, Sharpie Template, and Expo Marker Template. The left side has the templates for the lids to the highlighter and expo marker. The right side has all the templates except the lids. Download them all and print what you need!
I love to see how you use the free printables from Original Mom! Share your DIYs and printables with us on Instagram @thisoriginalmom