Back to school time is here.
And for many teachers and school employees, that means this is the busiest time of the year. Busiest.
And with busy often comes stress.
For us, flowers often make a lot of that stress disappear. Or. . . okay. If not disappear, then at least lessen. A little.
So we share our de-stressors with those people with whom our kids will be spending the greater part of their little lives for the next 180 days: teachers.
We love to share happy first day flowers with our new teachers, secretaries, or principal that first week of school–as a way to say thank you, welcome back, and let’s make it a rockstar year.
Though it may seem like this is a huge expense for us, it’s not. We’ve got some secrets to share.
And? I’ve got a super-fun, huge and awesome gift pack to give away to de-stress your life.
Here’s the skinny. . .
Happy First Day Flowers for Teachers, Secretaries, or Principal:
Whether your kiddos bring flowers for their teachers or the office staff, it doesn’t matter.
The idea is that we’re giving great people big thanks for doing hard work. If your kids are hesitant to bring flowers for their teachers on the first day, it’s cool.
First, we hit our local thrift store.
You got it. The under-used, often forgotten little gem that yields more surprises than you’d ever think. We love our thrift store, and we’re lucky that we’ve got a great one very close to us.
We buy enough small flower vases to cover everyone we need. Sometimes we’ve done just teachers. Some years we’ve done just office staff. It’s always different.
Often the vases are $. 25 to $ .50! And sometimes? They’re half price!
Serious deal.
Then we hit the grocery stores.
We buy several bouquets of flowers–whatever is on sale.
I’m betting that if money is tight for you and you hit a local florist and explain what you’re doing, they’d be quick to offer you some donations. Everyone loves teachers, and most people are thrilled to say thank you to them.
And then? The fun part–the part that my kids love: filling the vases.
We do a mix of monochromatic and mixed arrangements, and really? They all look beautiful. How could they not?
We finish them off with a pretty ribbon, and they’re ready to go.
Our Happy First Day Flowers put a smile not only on our faces–but they put smiles on the recipients’ as well.
These little ‘Happy First Day Flowers’ can be used any time of the year–and honestly, if they’re for no occasion, the better.
Everyone loves to get flowers. Everyone.
Especially surprise flowers.
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Check out a few other posts that may help you develop strong and healthy habits for your family:
26 triangles: tricky, fun math game
My favorite teacher was my Kindergarten and 1st Grade teacher, Mrs. Kramer. She would play the piano in our classroom and we’d all sing along. You couldn’t help but feel loved in her class. Everyone thought they were her very favorite student.
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I loved my sixth grade teacher Mr. Mcallister, because he made learning fun. We did a lot of hands on activities and experiments. He loved music and telling jokes.
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My favorite teacher was Mrs. Stephens in high school. She let us continue working on papers until we got them just right. Because of her, I learned how to edit my writing!
I was lucky- I had so many good teachers that I remember! Mrs. Atkinson was my favorite, because she encouraged me to dream big and pursue what I loved (writing)
I feel so fortunate to have had so many wonderful teachers throughout the years but one who really stands out is my high school journalism teacher!
What fun! I missed the teacher gift boat with Child No. 1 this week, but I still have 2 more chances 😉 My favorite teacher was Professor Mtima – I have him to thank for my crazy fun social media adventures! Actually, you can see more here: http://justicefergie.com/2014/05/bestteacherever-thank-blogging-career/
I don’t remember her name but I liked her because she was very sympathetic when I told her my mom was sick. She actually cared about it
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My favorite teacher was Mrs. Gove in fourth grade. She was the first one I remember that truly made me feel that I could do or be anything!
My favorite teacher was Mr. Richardson in elementary school. I remember he really inspired my love of reading that continues to this day!
Mr. Keegan. He made learning fun!
My fave teacher was my high school math teacher because she always went out of her way to help me understand math concepts.
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my favorite teacher was Miss Allen in Kindergarten. She was sweet and the class was easy playing with red, cardboard bricks and buying ONE PINT chocolate milk for snack. (those were the good old days)
My favorite teacher was my 5th grade math teacher. She was very patient and she gave us M&M’s!
mrs. shields was my favorite teacher. she always sticks out in my mind because she was the first teacher that didnt just write me off as a hyperactive kid but instead took the time to engage me in productive ways
Mrs. Perrualt my 7th and 8th grade english teacher she was so kind and a great teacher.
I liked Mr. Carlson my biology teacher, because he challenged me by implying I was too dumb for his class knowing I would do good to prove him wrong.
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Shelly, English in high school. She taught so much about our language and did it in an easy way. I still remember many of the things she told us not to say like ‘awfully good’—something cannot be awful AND good!
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In elementary was Mrs. Skattebo. She used to take me with her when she did things away from school during the summer.
My favorite teacher was Betty Whitfield and I loved her because she sewed all of her own clothes. Thanks for the giveaway!
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My senior English teacher, Miss Smith taught us so much that college English seemed like a walk in the park.
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I liked Mrs. Carroll because she always helped me understand math better and even tutored me.
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My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Shockley , was my favorite. She taught us so much and her passion spurred us on.
My 10th grade art teacher Mr. Stephens. He played classic rock music in class and encouraged my work.
My favorite teacher was Mr. Bush – he was a real help for me when I had just lost my Grandmother
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My favorite teacher was my first grade teacher because she helped me through my parent’s difficult divorce.
My favorite teacher was my middle school math teacher. She really pushed me because she knew I could do it even though I didn’t think that I could. thank you!
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My favorite teacher was Mr. Graser. He made school fun and engaging, and helped me gain the confidence I needed to be a successful student.
Thanks for an awesome giveaway!
my favorite teacher was mrs peak she would always talk to me about the problems i was having after my great grandma passed away she was an amazing teacher
My favorite teacher was my son’s first grade teacher Mrs.Kim. She was so nice and supportive
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I have many favorite teachers, from my second grade Miss Gingersnap (at least that’s what I remember her name to be) to my college English teacher. Oh, and Mr. Jones, my algebra teacher — he protected a friend and me at a basketball game one day.
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My favorite teacher was Mrs. Olsen, she was my first grade teacher and she made learning fun, that was 47 years ago and I still remember her.
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Dr. Green as he motivated me to finish my degree even though I had to work full time.
My favorite teacher was my spanish teacher all through high school. She was always there to talk, and one day when I was really depressed she asked me what was wrong, and it just showed that someone cared.
her name was Senora Smith
My favorite teacher is Bernadette Unger, not only did she teach my brother and I, but she teaches math at a middle school!
I can’t remember having a favorite.
My favorite teacher of all time was my 7th grade English teacher. He taught me that writing was an art and if we worked hard at it, it could be one of the most valuable and edifying things in life.
I remember a nun I had in grade school named Sister Eamon. i don’t remember why I liked her except that she liked me and was always sweet and kind and enthusiastic towards me.
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My 10th grade math teacher Mrs Andrews who was very helpful when I was having difficulty in math,
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Mrs. Bradshaw was my Kindergarten teacher. She was a energetic and attentive teacher who l made me excited to come to school each day.
my 7th grade english always made it fun in her classroom
My favorite teacher was my third grade teacher Mrs. Sandlin. She taught me to believe in myself and no matter what to never give up. She was the one that instilled in me my self esteem and the knowledge that I could overcome anything.
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My favorite teacher was Mrs. Jan because she was so sweet and always told me I could be and do anything I set my mind on
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my spanish teacher because she was kind
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My favorite teach was Mr Valier in 5th grade. We practiced for a play every day of the whole year.
I loved my fifth grade teacher Mrs Saltmarsh because she was tough but taught me a lot
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I loved Mr. Aklonis, my 11th grade history teacher, because he challenged us.
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My Kindergarten teacher…Mrs. Rasmussen. Because she was so warm and sweet and gave us hugs.
My favorite teacher was a German language teacher, and that is primarily because the whole class was graded on participation. We rarely had assignments or tests, so it was an easy A. Plus, she taught well. It wasn’t like we didn’t learn the language.
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My favorite teacher taught Senior English, Mrs. Lenski. She had been a nurse in Italy during WWII and had plenty of stories. She ran the class so the seniors had a certain amount of freedom we didn’t have in other classes, which was good to acclimate us to what we’d see in college.
my 6th grade teacher ms grover. she was like a mom to me when my mom was out of the picture.
My favorite teacher was my 7th grade math teacher. I had just started at the school. They were a little ahead in the math they were doing and he worked with me until I was caught up.
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I moved around a lot but there is one teacher that really stands out in my mind. I only had her for about half of the year.. but she was awesome.
I forgot to mention that she was my 5th grade teacher and her name was Mrs. Singleton. Also I tweeted. https://twitter.com/angelatrenna/status/507695305374982144
Mrs. Erickson was my favorite teacher. She helped me transition when I moved in the middle of third grade.
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I loved our ceramics teacher in high school. He was a great person. His name was Toby.
My favorite teacher was my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Resse. All of my other teachers would just tell me that I did not try hard enough and almost write me off. This teacher told me parents that I did try hard in her class and she thought I might be Dyslexic. I was and she turned my whole life around.
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My kindergarten teacher, Miss Barbara, was my favorite because she was so kind. I never knew her last name.
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My favorite teacher was Mrs. Peterson in 8th grade because she helped me get ready for high school.
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My favorite teacher was Mr. Snyder because he really made learning fun and got us all involved in each lesson.
bonjour! my french teacher in high school was the best. she made learning a new language so much fun. 🙂
Mr. Kim; he drove one of the original steam trains at Disneyland when it opened!
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Gilbert. She truly loved her students, and wanted us to succeed in life, not just in the classroom. Thanks!
Mrs. Jones was my Kindergarten teacher and she was always so sweet to us!
My favorite teacher was Mr. Wheeley because he was a lot of fun and he really cared about his students.
My favorite teacher was Ms.Cook because she made learning fun and interesting.
I loved Mrs Maguire even though she threatened to send me back to first grade due to my bad handwriting.
I loved Mrs. Sunday ~ she was fair & I learned so much from her
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my favorite teacher was Matt Cross and i loved him because he instilled a love for theatre in me
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My favorite teacher was Mrs. Alley my sophmore English teacher in high school. I really liked her and took Jr. english in summer school so as to have her again.
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Mrs. Blain. She is a teacher who has helped several of my children. She is creative, patience and has a great attitude.
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My daughter’s favorite teacher was her kindergarten teacher, Mrs Roush. She challenged her and kept her interested in learning.
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My favorite teacher was my Algebra teacher, he took time to talk it thur and made it fun.
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I had lots of favorite teachers. Right now I am in grad school, and one of my teachers (professors) has taken it upon herself to become my mentor. It is amazing that she sees something great in me, and really wants to help me succeed, even if it means extra work for her. To me that is the trait of a great teacher. Growing up my favorite teachers all went that extra mile as well.
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My favorite teacher in high school was Mr. Holden because he was kind and helpful.
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My favorite teacher was Mrs. Crabtree in 10th grade English. I was new to the school and she was so sweet to me and helped me so much!
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My favorite teacher was a history teacher in high school. She was always great with her students. She would help with any class not just her own, she could always relate to her students. She was just a great person in general. 🙂
My favorite teacher was my third grade teacher, Mrs. Finley. She taught us sign language and was really passionate not just about learning in the classroom but you could tell she cared about her students.
My favorite teacher is my childrens’ Sunday School Teacher. She is an amazing woman with a heart of gold
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Mrs. Hunt my 10th grade social studies teacher who encouraged my love for history and helped me get my very first job
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My 1st grade teacher Mrs. Lanza was the best! She was always so warm and inviting in the classroom. She was the best at pulling loose teeth! She probably pulled about 3 of mine and it never hurt! Haha!
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My favorite teacher was my 8th grade English teacher, Ms. Henry, because she realized I had become a lazy student, doing just what I needed to get a passing grade. She required that I apply myself in order to pass her class. I became an honor student because of her.
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Ms Levin- kindergarten. You took classes at the local hospital to learn about diabetes. Awesome
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Talsma…she was very kind, sweet, and patient:)
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My favorite teacher is my husband. He works so hard to prepare for his classes and does so much to teach his kids as much as possible.
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I had a teacher in 2nd grade named Mrs. Cook. She was a favorite of everyone! My parents divorced the year I had her and I bounced back and forth, monthly, between both parents’ homes. Mrs. Cook always kept my desk in the same spot in her classroom, untouched, so I had a feeling of “home” at least one place during this time.
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That would be Ms. Stratton in the 6th grade because she made an effort to connect with me.
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My favorite teacher was Mr. Hanson, my high school band teacher. He put up with a lot of highschool bank geeks that thought all their pranks were hilarious, but I’m sure very tiring for him. Yet, he was good-natured about it, and helped us learn to love music!
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Dicesare. She helped my family when they were going through a really hard time, and showed me love and patience.
My favorite teacher was my third grade teacher, Mrs. Prather. She was a new teacher, very pretty & very kind, so of course, we all loved her!
I loved Mrs. Pio because she was an effective teacher! She actually taught me HOW to take notes, so high school and college were so much easier!
my middle school math teacher. she was just too nice
My favorite teacher was my fifth grade teacher Ana Cyr who was very strict but the best teacher I’ve ever had. She taught me how to organize, follow through and provided great study habits that lasted me all of the way through college.
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My favorite teacher was my high school government teacher. He reinforced my love of politics and provided a lot of humor along the way.
My favorite teacher was my fifth grade teacher. Her name was Mrs. Tobin. She was an amazing teacher and so kind, and I remember doing so many wonderful things in her class. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!
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Mrs Thompson was my favorite third grade teacher who was loving and kind and let me come back many years later to do my student teaching with.
My favorite was Mrs Miltch my 11th grade English teacher! I loved her because she made a boring subject fun! She would sing and dance and just entertain us, but really she was teaching us and we didn’t even realize it!
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My favorite teacher was Mr. Whitmer, he was my shorthand, business teacher. He was very strict, but it paid off for my future in business.
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My favorite teacher was Mrs. Scott, & I loved her because she always cared about us kids & wanted to make things fun as we learned!
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I had a teacher from kindergarten through fifth grade. her name was mrs phillips. she was my favorite teacher because she treated me like her own child. i loved her.
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My favorite teacher was Ms. Patricia. She taught history and she was very nice to me, even I was the new student who spoke English as the second language! I am so thankful for everything she did to me!
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My favorite teacher was Mr. Kravitz because he sparked my interest in science. A
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Thanks for the giveaway…had a great 1st grade teacher, Sister Margaret, who made learning fun, especially math; also, she would shoot baskets with us at recess.
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Miss Knowles, my kindergarten teacher taught me how to read. That was 50 years ago and I still love to read.
My favorite teacher was my 4th grade math teacher, because he made me love math to this day.
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Mrs. Williams she was my first grade teacher I will never forget her she was fabulous..
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My favorite teacher was Mr. Dahl because he encouraged creativity.
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Peithman. She was my fifth grade teacher. She always made learning fun and never talked down to us.
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