even though i home school part time, my kids still go to school 2 days a week, so we have lots of teachers to be thankful for and show our appreciation to this christmas season!  they each have several teachers: core, art, science, music, latin, math etc… so i try to be creative with a gift that is either useful or beautiful, but also inexpensive.

i found these adorable glass tea light jars, made to look like gold and silver mercury glass, at target for $2.36 (next to the kitchen & dish section).  i added succulents from the home depot for less than $2.50.

some simple velvet and grosgrain ribbon, along with a tag from the target dollar spot, finished them off!

and i used the festive red tray to deliver all the goodies!

not bad for under $5 a piece!

here are a few other options for you for votives, clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

i thought it would be fun to gather some of my favorite items all in one place for little christmas shopping gift guide!  today i’m sharing ideas with the chef in mind.  whether she be 9 or 39, i think these are fun kitchen items any chef would love to find under their tree!

i’m a big fan of functional home items also being beautiful, and beautiful home items also being functional.  the kitchen is a great place to employ this theory!

1 – i have a couple of these mini colanders and love them!  we use them for berries and tomatoes that we leave on the counter for snacking.  2 – this is by far the prettiest recipe card holder i have ever laid eyes on.  ever.  3 – tea towels are in constant use in my kitchen, so why not make it cute?  4 – measuring cups = necessity.  copper = beautiful.  copper measuring cups = beautiful necessity.  5 – aprons.  they look pretty just hanging up, but work great for hand wipers like me. 6 – everyone needs a cutting board.  7 – i think potholders should be replaced every year.  maybe it should be a law.  8 – silpat mats – do you have one of these?  i have a couple that i use every time i bake.  slap one on a cookie sheet and cookies slide off without sticking!  and clean up is a breeze.  9 – such a pretty utensil crock!

1 mini mint colander //  2 recipe box & cards //  3 stripe kitchen tea towel //  4 russet measuring cups //  5 bahia apron (& in child size!) //  6 state shaped cutting board //  7 polka dotted potholders //  8 silpat baking mat //  9 ceramic utensil crock