This year, my sons' teachers are getting apple pie filling that we canned this summer using apples from our backyard gravenstein tree, and a $10 gift card to Powells Books.

Last year, the boys and I made different chocolate barks with peppermint and toffee, and I bought little glass jars at Ikea to put it in for a couple bucks each, figuring the jars could be used for whatever after the candy was gone.

A friend and I made cute simple aprons for the preschool teachers a couple years ago. I made herbed vinegar another year - bought some nice bottles at the kitchen supply store around the corner, poured in some plain vinegar, my son stuck in rosemary, peppercorns, thyme, etc. Wrapped a ribbon around the bottle and let them sit for while to infuse the flavors. We also made "sand art brownie mix" (layered brownie ingredients in a mason jar) another time.