Back to School Sharpie Highlighter Teacher Gift

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Office Depot, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #inspirestudents http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Well, this is it.  My baby girl is about to start school.  *sniffle*  I am officially a mom of kids (not just babies!) and she is officially the most excited child in the history of… ever?  Okay maybe that’s a stretch, but she is seriously over-the-moon about meeting her new teacher and making new friends.

We’re still 2 weeks away (we go back late here in Michigan, it appears, according to all the status updates I’ve seen) but she is counting down.  We get to meet her new teacher next week at her orientation, and we put together this little back-to-school teacher basket with some organizational and classroom supplies.

The tag reads, “It’s the highlight of my year to start school with you!” Raya has been talking about it since June, when I got her officially enrolled.  Poor girl has been waiting forever. ;)  And there’s all kinds of Sharpie goodness – including one of my favorite ways to stay organized: highlighters!

I shopped Office Max’s back to school deals to put the basket together, and saved a bunch in the process. Right now, you can save $5 Off your purchase of $20 or more on select Newell Rubbermaid Brands (PaperMate, Expo Neon Window Markers, Sharpie, Uni-Ball, & Mr. Sketch), and this week through the 30th, you can get special savings on these essentials while supplies last:

• Select PaperMate Flair 4pk’s: $4
• Sharpie 12CT Asst Fine & Ultra Fine Asst: $6
• Sharpie Dozen Box Black Fine & Ultra Fine: $6

Awesome, right?  Be sure to sign up for Office Depot Rewards, too, if you’re not already a member!  The savings will make it even easier to put together a little basket of your own for your kids’ new teachers.  If there’s one thing I’m learning, it’s that classroom supplies are always a welcome gift.  I created this simple graphic that you can use to make your own card to include (you can click the image to open it without a border in a new tab, and save it to your computer).

To tie our card onto the front, I added a pair of scrapbooking eyelets to thread a ribbon through the card.  If you haven’t set eyelets before, it’s a new obsession of mine in both paper and metal projects.  You just pop the eyelet in, turn it over, and use the eyelet setting tool to attach it.  Just line up the tool on the backside of the eyelet, and tap it a few times with a hammer.  Be sure to do this on a protected surface, like a cutting board or a rubber mat.

Then, just tie your ribbon around, feed it through the holes, and tie a sweet little bow!

Fill your basket with anything teachers can use.  We included pens, classic Sharpie markers, Sharpie highlighters, several pairs of kids’ scissors, and some colorful tubs of clips and tacks.  We put it in a bright little crate that’s reusable for classroom storage, too.

I can’t believe the day is nearly here, but honestly, putting this project together with Raya helps me feel more ready to send her off.  Is that crazy?  I mean, it’s only preschool, a few days a week, but it’s getting me used to the idea of someone else teaching my daughter new things.  (Pardon me while I hyperventilate a moment… okay, I’m good.)  Don’t get me wrong, this is a GREAT thing for her – she will be so thrilled to make new friends, and the structure will be a good thing, too.  But I’m still getting all choked up just thinking about it!

Have your kids gone back to school for the year already?  Got any tips for me when it comes time to let go over that sweet little hand?  I need all the help I can get, here!