The week leading up to Mother’s Day gives us permission to get the students to create something special for someone very important in their lives.

But, we get it. Sometimes creative juices for these special projects can be lacking because a teacher’s to-do list is a mile long (at the best of times). So let us share with you the most THOUGHTFUL and MEMORABLE gift we have ever created with our students for Mother’s Day (and one of the best parts is that it is super inclusive and can be made for any special person in a child’s life).

Introducing our LOVE JARS!

Teachers love these Mother’s Day Love jars because:

It gets the class writing!
It embraces student choice and creativity.
It can be completed in one lesson or short lessons in the week.
It can be given to ANY special person (not everyone has a mum to celebrate on Mother’s Day).

AND… it’s guaranteed to bring the biggest smile (and a tear or two) to the receiver of the love jar.

These jars look flashy, but they really are so simple to put together and, depending on the age of your students, can be done almost independently.

You don’t even need to use jars if you are short on time or supplies.

Here are 3 ways we have created these gorgeous, homemade Mother’s Day gifts in the past (and all have been a success):

1. Recycled jars

Ask students to bring in recycled jars to fill with messages. This means all the jars will be different and unique, just like the kiddos in your classroom.

If you like the jar but don’t have time to request recycled jars, you can purchase packs of jars cheaply from Kmart or go for one of the other ideas below.

2. Love Gift bags

Purchase canvas bags (we got these from Kmart and they work out to be 70c per bag) and fill with messages of appreciation. These still look great and don’t cost a lot.

We have even seen teachers create them using paper bags or envelopes that the students decorate and then fill with love messages.

3. Short on time option

Make a paper version! The only prep you need for this option is to photocopy the templates ahead of the lesson. A paper version is also a great alternative to a card.

Note: A paper version of the Love Jar is included in the resource.

Note to teachers: The first year we did this, we let the kids create messages freestyle. Then we created some prompts to scaffold it and the process was a lot easier and of a higher quality!

The Mothers, Grandmothers, Stepmothers, Aunts or any other special person in your student’s lives are going to love this special gift from the heart.

To find the prompts, tags and paper jar, click here.

What to read next:

3 Easy Gift ideas for Mother’s Day

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