Make it (Do) Monday: "Creature Comforts"

Since I've been desperate for inspiration, I'm tweaking "Make it Do Monday" a little.  Eventually I hope MI(d)M will be a grand "Monday Meme" that lots of people will participate in.  But for now, it's baby steps.  I'm tweaking "Make it Do Monday" to "Make it (Do) Monday".  What's the big deal, you ask?  I'm making the "do" optional, so you can either leave a link to something you've made or a way you "make do" with what you have.  Genius, huh?  Haha!  Thank you, dear frugalistas, for being patient as the Frugal Bookworm experiences some growing pains.

Today's "Make it (Do) Monday" is all about "Creature Comforts".  It has nothing to do with animals...unless you ask a teacher's perspective (haha!).  Since I'm going back to work today, I'm referring to my idea a teacher's creature comforts, and providing you with a great gift idea for your child's classroom teacher. 
What are "creature comforts" to a teacher?  It's the little things that matter...the tiny objects that make it possible for us to make it through the day.  Some of these items I keep on hand for myself, just as a little pick-me-up when I'm having a rough day. Many of the objects can be obtained very frugally, and in fact, if you request free items, you can get these items for free!  If you're frugal (like I am), you can make a gift bag for your child's teacher for well under $5.

Ideas and some of my favorite "Creature Comforts":

• Hand sanitizer:  You can pick up small bottles of Purell or an off-brand at the store of your choice.  You might even be able to find a coupon for a freebie, or take advantage of a Bath & Body Works 5/$5 sale.  Personally, I keep a couple of pumps of Bath & Body Works for my personal use and buy a huge pump for the kids.  I can't afford BBW for everyone, but the scented hand sanitizers just give you a little bit of aromatherapy.  And believe me, there are days a teacher needs that!
• Hand lotion:  Again, you can often get these as free samples or free by using a coupon for a trial size (rare, but hey, sometimes it happens!).  My hands get so dry from using so much hand sanitizer and handling so many papers.  My kids are probably used to seeing me do three things:  1)  Blow nose, 2)  use hand sanitizer, and 3) use hand lotion (Haha!).  Seriously speaking, teachers are models of good habits for kids.
• Cough drops / hard candy /throat lozenges / gum:  I get severe laryngitis once a year, if not twice.  Hard candy is nice to have on hand for when your mouth gets dry.  Gum is also great, especially for those days that the cafeteria serves (or you pack) Italian.  I've seen a lot of deals on gum lately, so keep watch on those coupons!  Check out this post at Common Sense with Money about how to get a pack of gum for free.
• Snacks:  If you're a compulsive freebie-holic like me, you probably wind up with snack or food samples that you might not ordinarily eat.  Put a protein bar sample in the bag for a teacher.  Add a small pack of mints (like the Altoids you could get for free at CVS last week), a bag of chips, or a pack of microwaveable popcorn.
• Emergen-C Samples:  These are perfect for a teacher who feels like she or he might be coming down with something.  In fact, if you head on over to Wal-Mart's page, you can sign up for free samples right now!
• School Supplies:  If you're following the deals right now, you can get free school supplies to put in your teacher's bag.  Check out some of Mercedes's posts about how to get free Bic pens at Target or a free sample of post-it notes.  Crystal from Moneysavingmom also has an article up on how to get free post-its and Scotch tape for $0.50 at Target.
• Band-aids / antibiotic ointment:  Kids ask for band-aids all the time!  Think high-schoolers are too cool for kid-friendly band-aids?  You would be surprised!  A couple of years ago, I found cheap boxes of patriotic Band-Aids at a Big Lots store.  When I ask, "patriotic or plain?", you would be surprised at how many kids pick patriotic!  Plus, I'm not immune from a nasty cut from a file folder or a splinter from an old desk myself!
• For more ideas, be sure to check out Education World's ideas for a Back to School "Survival Kit!"

What do you put it all in?  You can make a gift bag (I love this tutorial on how to make gift bags from newspaper), use something you have on hand (think totes that you received for free or bought at a yard sale), or make a tote bag (see TipNut's list of reusable tote tutorials).

Let me let you in on a little secret...the parents and children who show appreciation towards a teacher are in that teacher's favor for..ev..er!  In my first year of teaching, I had a student whose mother made all of his teachers flower pots with flower ink pens in them. Because I'm a Tennessee fan, he had his mother make mine an orange rose.  I love that kid!  I still treasure that ink pen! (Even though I accidentally knocked the flower pot off of a shelf and broke it.)  It showed me that the student and his mother cared. The most important thing is that you let your child's teacher know that you're thinking of them (and if you pray, that you're praying for them.)  Let them know that you're available to help, to purchase needed classroom supplies (like tissues and hand sanitizer, our two biggies!), and that anytime your child needs help or misbehaves in class, that you are listening!

How have you "made do" this week?  Any tips on something you've made that you want to share?  Leave a comment!