Posted by Les Mauvaises Herbes
That's it! The school year is over! You want to give a little token of appreciation to the teachers and support staff who have looked after your child(ren) all year long, and you're wondering WHAT to give?
We get it.
Our online community inspired this little overview. Many teachers have shared their thoughts on what they truly enjoy receiving. We want to pass along some suggestions and simple recipes to make so you can give a thoughtful gift to the people who have accompanied your little ones throughout the year.
Gratitude is simply meant to be expressed!
We want to reassure you: you aren't obligated to give anything at all, and teachers/educators have no expectations. You could simply write a heartfelt note of thanks and gratitude, or even send an email expressing your appreciation, and that would be PERFECT. What matters is the intention. And the intention behind these end-of-year gifts is first and foremost to express gratitude, and that doesn't need to be material!
Group together to give less, but better
One thing is certain: teachers and educators receive a lot of gifts. Were you thinking of giving a mug? They might already have received A LOT of them. If the opportunity arises, you could chat with other parents in the group to see if you want to give a joint gift, such as a spa day, a gift certificate to a nice restaurant... There are really tons of options!
Don't forget the other staff!
One point that came up in the discussion with our community is the issue of the "forgotten ones." Often, we give a gift to our child's teacher, but we forget that they also spend a lot of time with daycare educators, perhaps a psychoeducator, music/PE/English teachers, etc. Keep this in mind, in case it makes sense for you.
Gifts that are always appreciated
A bookstore and/or liquor store (haha) gift card, a plant, a sweet treat, a card with a photo of your child(ren)—these are also things that came up in the suggestions and seemed to be (almost!) universally liked.
DIY for a different kind of gift
Making little gifts yourself adds a truly different dimension to what you're giving. You've put time and love into it, and it feels like that makes the gift even more meaningful! We’ve suggested a few ideas below that make for great gifts!
Little treats, quick and easy
Orange Blossom Yoga Mat Cleaner
Do you practice yoga daily or occasionally? Proper mat maintenance is essential—more than you might think! Since we rub our bare feet on it and leave sweat behind, we need to clean our mat to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and fungi (yum). This will keep it clean and extend its lifespan. Yay!
Préparation
5 min
Conservation
jusqu'à 12 mois
Rendement
100 ml
Spring atmosphere mist: hello sun!
Renewing the air in our homes with a homemade room spray has become a seasonal ritual. Since scents are often associated with seasons and the events that mark them, varying your room spray literally allows you to change the atmosphere!
Here’s a fruity citrus blend, perfect for welcoming buds and sunshine.
Préparation
5 min
Conservation
6-12 mois
Rendement
100 ml
Beetroot Foaming Exfoliating Butter
A superb body scrub recipe that you can use directly in the bathtub. Its key ingredients? Beetroot powder (moisturizing and rich in vitamins C and E, which help maintain skin elasticity) and mango butter (very emollient and softening). It makes you want to try it.
Préparation
15 min
Conservation
6-12 mois
Rendement
125 ml
Seasonal lip balm
When autumn arrives, I need a lip balm with comforting scents. I get rushes of forest smells in the fall and winter, and I make sure everything smells like it. My shampoo smells like cedar, we put fir essential oil in the kettle on the wood stove, I put some in my bath salts... in short, with a fir-scented lip balm, I'm in heaven.
- Chantal
Préparation
10 min
Conservation
6-12 mois
Rendement
10,5 ml
The "everything" bath
Relaxing bath tea
Herbal tea... for the bath? QUIN BATH! Haha. Enjoy the relaxing properties of the plants in this gentle blend in your bathtub.
Préparation
20 min
Conservation
indéfinie (mélange sec)
Rendement
240 ml
Flower bath milk
In autumn, do you feel the urge to pamper yourself a little? Our favorite activity for the cold season: soaking your body in a warm bath. Try our floral bath milk recipe: it's divine.
Préparation
5 min
Conservation
indéfinie
Rendement
environ 250 ml
Lavender and Calendula Bath Salts
Lavender and calendula bath salt is an excellent way to naturally create a fragrant, relaxing, and nourishing bath. A simple, minimalist, and eco-friendly recipe, at your fingertips. That's our specialty, after all!
Préparation
15 minutes
Conservation
6 à 12 mois
Rendement
environ 560 ml
Blue pea bath bombs
Who hasn't enjoyed a relaxing moment in a nice bath? Okay, legend has it that some people don't like baths and are more of the "shower" type, but it's like those who don't like chocolate – you have to be wary of them! Haha!
To make a bath even more special, we've gotten into the habit of preparing bath bombs in advance and storing them in a jar so we always have some on hand for stressful days. It's like a chamomile infusion (or an aspirin), but for the body!
Préparation
25 min
Conservation
6-12 mois
Rendement
4 à 6 bombes
Nourishing Cocoa Butter Bath Bombs
Is the cold weather and heating tough on your skin? This bath bomb recipe will make your bath water nourishing and softening thanks to the oats, chamomile, and cocoa butter they contain. A real treat for your skin!
- Marie
Préparation
20 min
Conservation
6-12 mois
Rendement
environ 10 bombes
"I'm motivated and I've got time"
Gardeners' Balm: a 3-in-1 treatment
Hands blackened by soil, you know the feeling? I am a fervent bare-handed gardener! I can't wear gloves. I love feeling the earth, even if it makes my hands dirty and dry.
Here is my wonderful 3-in-1 post-gardening treatment: it exfoliates (sugar dislodges dirt from every nook and cranny); it cleanses (thanks to our Divine Castile soap); it nourishes.
- Marie
Préparation
20 min
Conservation
12 mois et +
Rendement
95 ml
Fir and geranium body cream
There are some recipes so incredible you want to eat them, like this one. What makes it so incredible is the balsam fir macerate it contains. It smells like cotton candy and sweets, no joke. Mixed with geranium and bergamot, it’s absolutely divine.
Préparation
45 min
Conservation
12 mois
Rendement
100 ml
Nourishing body pains
Here is our very simple and popular nourishing bars recipe. As this product is solid, simply rub it on your skin after your bath or shower. The bar melts slightly on contact, allowing for easy and quick application. Beautiful nourished skin ahead!
Préparation
10 min
Conservation
12 mois
Rendement
variable
Homemade dish soap bar
Are you looking for a dish soap bar recipe that doesn't require a chemistry degree and uses relatively easy-to-find ingredients? Here it is. Doing dishes is almost fun with a soap bar. I promise!
- Mariane
Préparation
15 min
Conservation
12 mois et +
Rendement
180 g ou 250 ml
