gifts

Teacher Appreciation A to Z Alphabet

June 21, 2026 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

As a preschool teacher for many years, I know first hand hand the multitude of hats a teacher wears, and the many qualities helpful in being a successful teacher. This Teacher Appreciation A – Z Alphabet poster acknowledges the many traits teacher possess.

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The teacher traits alphabet poster makes a great end-of-year or Teacher Appreciation Week keepsake for your child’s teacher. It is also perfect for displaying in a school staff room or home office..

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The Teacher Appreciation Alphabet poster is available as an instant download on my Skills N Smiles Etsy shop. It comes in five different sizes, and in PNG and PDF formats.

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Show your gratitude with a gift that recognizes the countless qualities that make teachers truly valuable. Download this poster today!

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Pastel Christmas Letterhead and Envelope

December 20, 2025 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

When I was young, everyone had a traditional Christmas tree, filled with sparkling primary-colored lights and enchanting decorations. As beautiful and magical as they were, I was thrilled to come across Christmas décor in many unique color schemes in recent years. This pastel Christmas letterhead and envelope set is one of my earliest digital designs, and features a soft, modern color scheme.

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How to Use the Pastel Christmas Stationery Set

This festive stationery set, available in letter and A4 sizes, is designed for both children and adults. It is perfect for writing

Christmas notes
thank-you letters
wish lists
invitations
letters to Santa
heart-felt holiday messages

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In the classroom, the gorgeous stationery set can be used to encourage themed writing, and at home, the set adds festive beauty to every holiday note.

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The DIY Pastel Christmas Envelope

The DIY Christmas envelope prints out on 8 ½ x 11-inch (letter) or A4 paper … so easy! Requiring just a bit of cutting, folding, and gluing, it is easy to assemble. The envelope adds a heart-warming, handmade touch to Christmas correspondence. It is a budget-friendly alternative with a charming look.

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In addition to the above suggestions for the Christmas stationery set, this envelope is perfect for DIY holiday cards, gift cards and coupons.

Where to Find the Pastel Christmas Stationery Set

You can find this Pastel Christmas Letterhead and Envelope stationery in my SkillsNSmiles Etsy shop for an everyday low price. Start creating festive holiday notes today!

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December Kindness Activities

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Mother’s Day Floral Craft

April 29, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Themed scrapbook paper and punches are often my “go-to” for an early learner Mother’s Day floral papercraft with a WOW factor. Mint-themed supplies take center stage in this timely crafting project.

Mother's Day keepsake craft featuring mint themed punched paper shapes. An all-ages project bound to make any mother or grandmother feel special.

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Mother’s Day is an annual holiday held on the second Sunday in May in Canada and the United States. It is a time to make mothers and grandmothers feel special and appreciate their positive impact on families and society. This minty floral craft can be saved for when it is Mother’s Day where you live or can be given as a keepsake anytime.

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Mother’s Day Floral Papercraft Preparation

Gather together:

12-inch x 12-inch mint-themed cardstock paper
10-inch white doily
felt pen
glue stick or glue tape
flower, heart, and butterfly paper punches
mint-hued cardstock in complementary colors
accent cardstock paper
sticker jewels or pearls
tiny bag
mint candies

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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Making The Mother’s Day Papercraft

Paper punch flowers, butterflies, and hearts from mint-themed cardstock. Patterned papers and complementary colors add a nice dose of contrast.

Add sticker gems or pearls to the flowers and butterflies.

Write the words: “Mom – You were mint for me.” on the middle of the doily.

Glue the doily on the center of the 12-inch x 12-inch cardstock paper.

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Mother's Day craft featuring mint themed punched paper shapes.

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Invite your early learner to use a glue stick to add hearts, butterflies, and flowers to the edge of the doily. Offering nine shapes works well, as it allows the doily edge to shine too.

Note: This project can be adjusted for a grandmother by writing the words “Grandma – You were mint for me.” on the doily.

Attach a pouch with mints and the craft is ready to make a mother or grandmother feel special.

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The minty floral theme also shines in a paper plate wreath.

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To introduce a simple version of the craft, download this template for little learners to decorate. Paper shapes could be glued to the rim of the white circle or anywhere on the page. A bow and packet of after-dinner mints work with the printable too.

Mint-themed template to decorate for a Mother's day craft. A perfect printable for little learners to embellish and give to their moms. A packet of after-dinner mints would be the perfect finishing touch.

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Mint Mother’s Day TemplateDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Painting With Chocolate

February 8, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

You read it correctly: this blog post is about painting with chocolate. It’s easy, it’s fun, and your workspace will smell divine. The activities featured have a process art focus. A few embellishments will make the art display worthy or ready to give away.

Fingerpainting, ice cube painting, and brush painting with chocolate. The process art hearts can be turned into valentines to give away. Art and Science activities for all ages.

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Supplies To Collect

hot chocolate powder
cocoa powder
chocolate sprinkles
bowls and spoons
sturdy white paper
waterproof felt pen
ice cubes
tray for ice cubes
paintbrush
container of water
doily heart
decorative 12-inch x 12-inch cardstock
ribbon
plastic (or real) rose
small plastic pouch
chocolates

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Activity One: Painting With Chocolate And Ice Cubes

Freeze different sizes of ice cubes.

Cut a piece of sturdy paper into a large heart shape. Optional: Write the words “You and Me + Chocolate” on the heart with a waterproof felt pen.

Scoop hot chocolate powder and cocoa into bowls. Add spoons.

Set out a tray of slightly melted, very wet ice cubes along with the paper heart and bowls of chocolate ingredients.

Invitation to paint with ice cubes, cocoa, chocolate powder, and chocolate sprinkles. An all-ages art and science activity.

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Start the activity off by saying that the powders are “mystery paints.” Ask your child to guess what the paints might be. Smelling the powders will give the answer away pretty quickly.

Invite your child to scatter hot chocolate powder and cocoa on the heart-shaped paper. (Chocolate sprinkles can be added later.)

Painting activity using ice cubes to swish around cocoa, hot chocolate powder, and chocolate sprinkles.

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Cocoa and hot chocolate added to a heart shape. Ice cubes can be used to swish the powders around.

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Ask your child to swish the powders around the heart with ice cubes, which will make spreadable chocolaty paint.

Offer a paper towel to dab on wet spots if desired. The pattern on the paper towel will add texture to the heart painting.

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Heart painting made by swishing ice cubes through cocoa and hot chocolate powder.

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Optional: Near the end, your child can add chocolate sprinkles to the heart. This will lead to a discovery that they make it harder to move the ice cubes around.

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Activity Two: Brush Painting With Chocolate

Painting with cocoa and hot chocolate powder. The powders are moved around with a paintbrush dipped in water.

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Brush painting is a less messy option if there isn’t much time for cleanup.

Invite your child to scatter hot chocolate and cocoa on a paper heart.

Offer a container of water and a paintbrush. Encourage your child to add water to the dry ingredients and paint the heart.

A paper towel can be used to soak up excess liquid.

Gorgeous chocolate heart paintings made with water and hot chocolate and cocoa. — Swoon-worthy hearts painted by preschoolers.

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Activity Three: Fingerpainting With Chocolate

The ice cube painting project and brush painting activity can both be turned into fingerpainting experiences. Mixing a higher concentration of cocoa and a little less water results in a fingerpaint-friendly paste that is luscious to spread around. Chocolate sprinkles can be added to enhance the sensory experience.

Fingerpainting with water added to hot chocolate powder and cocoa. Chocolate sprinkles can be included in the mix.

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Painted Heart Valentine

Adding a few embellishments will turn a chocolaty heart into a valentine to give away or art piece for display.

The brush-painted version is my favorite for turning into a keepsake. Any extra dry powder can be scraped off with a kitchen scrubber before the heart is added to a craft valentine.

Write the words: You And Me + Chocolate on a doily heart.

Use a glue gun to attach the doily to the painted heart.

Mount the heart on a 12-inch x 12-inch piece of decorative paper.

Add a bow and a real or crafted rose.

Chocolate heart painting added to a valentine to give away.

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Or add a bow and small pouch with chocolates.

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Art, Science, and sensory learning come together in these easy-to-do painting with chocolate activities. Your early learner will certainly be excited to try them.

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Handprint Angel Christmas Keepsake

December 21, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Handprint Angel Christmas craft with silver metallic leaf wings. An easy to make keepsake craft that all children can do.

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There are so many adorable handprint crafts, and the choices for Christmas are incredible. One of my favorites is a handprint angel. It is a cute craft that doubles as an adorable keepsake. It is also a piece of cake to make and can be whipped up at the last minute.

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Supplies To Collect

white tempera paint
pie plate or small tray
grey fade-resistant cardstock
cream colored fade-resistant cardstock
grey-based patterned 8 ½ x 11-inch cardstock
stem with silver metallic leaves
circle tracer (juice lid size)
pencil
children’s scissors
craft scissors
glue stick
glue gun
silver glitter

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Making The Handprint Angel

This craft can be done independently by older children, or as an adult-child collaborative project with preschoolers.

Cut individual metallic leaves from the leaf stem with a pair of craft scissors.

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Have your child make a handprint with white paint on grey cardstock.

Invitation to make a handprint with white paint on grey paper.

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When dry, cut out the handprint or have your child do so.

Invite your child to trace a circle onto cream-colored cardstock and cut it out.

Invitation to trace and cut a circle for the face of a handprint angel.

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Ask your child to draw a face on the circle with a pencil.

Help your child glue the handprint, face, and metallic leaf wings onto grey-based patterned cardstock to create an angel. Use a glue gun to help secure the wings.

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Have your child make an oval swirl on top of the angel’s head for a halo.

Invitation to swirl an oval shape above the angel's head with a glue stick for a halo.

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Invite your child to shake silver glitter over the glue swirl.

Invitation to add a silver glitter halo to a handprint angel.

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Handprint Angel Holiday Greeting

If you like, a favorite holiday greeting can be added to the craft for a finishing touch.

Handprint angel craft with the caption "Merry Christmas." An easy to make keepsake all children can create.

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Feel free to download this printable and use one of the holiday greetings for your craft.

Printable with the seasonal greetings "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays." This printable coordinates with the Handprint Angel Christmas keepsake.

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Holiday Greeting Printable Download

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A handprint angel craft with the caption "Merry Christmas." An easy to make keepsake all children can create.

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This handprint angel picture is made in white, cream, silver, and grey tones. The inspiration was a stem of metallic silver leaves found at a local dollar store. Traditional Christmas colors or your favorite color scheme would work wonderfully for this keepsake.

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For an exquisite Seashell Angel Christmas Ornament craft, view the tutorial at hellowonderful.co.

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[Read more…]

gifts

How to Use the Pastel Christmas Stationery Set

The DIY Pastel Christmas Envelope

Where to Find the Pastel Christmas Stationery Set

Related:

Mother’s Day Floral Papercraft Preparation

Making The Mother’s Day Papercraft

Supplies To Collect

Activity One: Painting With Chocolate And Ice Cubes

Activity Two: Brush Painting With Chocolate

Activity Three: Fingerpainting With Chocolate

Painted Heart Valentine

Supplies To Collect

Making The Handprint Angel

Handprint Angel Holiday Greeting