Advent: Teacher Presents

(SPOILER ALERT: Okay, those of you among my readers who teach my children at preschool, read at your own peril).

Mama Teacher, I hope you approve of my teacher gift idea (and since you don't teach my kids, formally anyway, you can read ahead). Maybe you should blog about teacher gifts for us newbie parents searching the aisles for ideas. I'll need a new one next year!

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My goodness, I bought teacher presents today. We were told we didn't have to, we were told we shouldn't, but everyone will and I did. As a child, I loved giving teachers their holiday (well, it was Christmas back then) presents. Because my dad owned a print shop, we would often give personalized notepads to the teachers, something that they could actually use. Dad's in Texas, so it isn't as convenient an idea anymore--notepads are heavy to mail, and, besides, I only just thought of it and there isn't enough time (though, it's still a great idea, and he still owns that print shop; maybe I can figure something out next year. Don't retire, Pop!). So, today I found myself at the store buying teacher gifts.


Teacher gifts. My kids have teachers.

Anyway, we're donating to the collection at school and I got them little Scholastic free book certificates but that's not quite enough of a thank you. But I didn't want it to be just some random thing I purchased at the store without the kids' help--candles, soap, candy, a mug, anything with an apple on it. I realized as I was wandering the aisles that the teacher gifts should come from my kids, whose teachers they are. And since we just had some great success making Christmas pretzels, perhaps we should make food. Now, I realize that teachers do not really need any more sweets during the holidays because every third students is buying candy or baking cookies. But it's the one thing we know how to make (pizza, the other thing we know how to make just isn't practical, though I considered a gift certificate for delivery for them). I could have made cookies or quick breads, but I want the kids to really feel ownership of the gift we're giving (and not just the homemade card!) and do more than watch me make it. So, we'll make candy: rocky road (with marshmallows and cherries), peppermint bark, and Christmas pretzels (maybe one more thing, though fudge and toffee involve boiling sugar which isn't kid-friendly. Butter mints? Too much peppermint? I can change the bark . . . ). With this new revelation, I headed to the container aisle of the store and bought out their selection of non-religious snowflake tins. For the preschool teachers, the Sunday school teachers, even the pediatrician (our minister can't have gluten so we'll probably do something else for her). Everyone who teaches and helps us.

And as I was standing in the line to check out, a mom beside me looked in my basket. "Teacher gifts?" she said. I nodded. "Mercy, I'm glad I'm passed all that."

Bah, humbug. I think it's lots of fun. I hope the kids and the teachers do too.

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Easy Rocky Road
A standard and reliable candy. I have recently seen an alternate that adds 8 chopped candied cherries—might be good.
2 cups (12 oz. package) chocolate chips
¼ cup butter or margarine
2 tablespoons shortening
3 cups miniature marshmallows
½ cup coarsely chopped nuts (we will omit these)

Butter 8 inch square pan. In large microwave-safe bowl place chocolate chips, butter, and shortening; microwave at medium for 5 to 7 minutes or until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Add marshmallows and nuts; blend well. spread evenly into prepared pan. Cover; cill until firm. Cut into 2 inch squares. 16 squares.

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Peppermint Bark
Makes about 32 pieces

12 oz. white baking chips
½ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy cane

Microwave white baking chips 1 minute and then in additional increments of 20 seconds, stirring after each, until almost melted. Stir until completely melted.
Add crushed peppermint candies, stirring until mixed. Spread mixture thinly onto aluminum foil-lined cookie sheet.
Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.

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Butter Mints

1 pound confectioners sugar
1 stick butter plus 2 tablespoons
20 drops oil of peppermint (get at pharmacy)

Cream together sugar and butter. Add peppermint oil. Mix together with hands. When together, knead for 5 minutes. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired to any portion of mixture. Snip off size of mint desire (I like the size of a marble). Place on a cookie sheet or flat surface and press down with a fork. These will keep for weeks in the refrigerator, or they may be frozen.