The Sewing Mom

School is starting is less than two weeks here in Texas and I’m all ready thinking about teacher gifts. I always enjoy giving each teacher something personal that shows a some thought was put into the gift. After spending 5 years working in elementary schools, along side teachers, and seeing what they received as gifts every year, I feel that I do have some insight as to what they like and dislike. While most of us enjoy a good candle, I have to say, teachers do get tired of receiving them, especially the cheap candles. As a parent, I like to try to find out unique things about my daughter’s teachers, such as interests or hobbies they might have and then go from there.

For example, if a teacher is a big coffee drinker, I might get them a cool coffee mug with a gift card to a local coffee shop inside of it. If a teacher likes to cook, I might get them a set of cooking utensils or some serving dishes. I like putting things together to make a unique gift to thank them for what they do for my daughter. Teachers are special people who work very hard and I want them to know they are appreciated.

I posted earlier today about the Villeroy & Boch NewWave Caffe mugs that are on sale this month at 50% off the suggested retail price. I think these would make excellent starting points for teacher gifts and, with them being on sale, they are right in my price range. With my daughter being in junior high this year, she will have multiple teachers, so I will need multiple gifts.

These mugs have a beautiful design with a really wide handle that is designed for comfort. They’re a basic white which works with whatever I decide to put inside and then look pretty with colored wrappings and bows. I really like the idea of placing flavored tea bags and cinnamon sticks inside a mug and gift wrapping it in pretty cellophane wrap. It will have a very classy look. Instead of tea, I can use flavored gourmet hot chocolates with chocolate stir sticks and maybe a recipe for hot cocoa attached, or specialty coffees with biscotti placed in the mugs. Any of these, wrapped in pretty cellophane, make excellent gifts. Gift cards can also be added for the extra special teachers.

There are also other styles of cups and mugs as well as dinnerware that matches the NewWave Caffe mug for added gift ideas and they are all 50% during the month of August. Of course, I will be ordering an extra mug for my own use, I really like the styling and the size for my morning coffee routine!

Tags: NewWave Caffe, teacher gifts, Villeroy & Boch

I have been staying up late every night since the Olympics began, I’m hooked on watching the games. Of course, they always show the finals and the most popular athletes during the night time prime time show, which means I have to stay up to watch it. Yes, I do TIVO it, but I’m too busy during the day to watch it! Staying up late every night is causing me to be super tired in the morning.

Yesterday, I was so tired that by the time I even made my coffee, I forgot to drink it. I finally got my coffee mug, put my liquid creamer into it and poured some fresh brew into it. Only problem was that I had forgotten to put any coffee into the coffee pot and so all I got was nice hot water poured into my creamer. Sheesh! I had to leave the house without having any coffee. I wasn’t letting that happen twice, I made sure I put coffee in the pot this morning!

I don’t know about you, but I have my favorite coffee mug. I like my mug to be big and have some weight to it. I prefer the mug to be a nice thick ceramic. I was shopping online this morning and found some really up dated, very modern looking mugs called NewWave Caffe at Villeroy & Boch. The mugs are just under 12 oz and are tapered so that they’re larger at the top, just the way I like them. There is also a Cafe au Lait Cup that is 13 1/2 ounces. The handle has a really unique design that makes them really comfortable in the hand and it even comes in a left handed version. If you happen to be looking for dinnerware, these mugs coordinate with an entire New Wave dinnerware set, all of which are dishwasher safe.

 August is a great month to be purchasing dinnerware and NewWave Caffe mugs because they’re 50% off the MSRP. My favorite piece that goes perfectly with the mug is the large party plate. It’s so cool, the mug nests in the plate and the plate provides a great spot to place all those hors dourves at your party.While you check out Villeroy & Boch, I’m going to go have another cup of coffee!

Tags: coffee, dinnerware, NewWave Caffe, Villeroy & Boch