It never hurts to put your best foot forward, no matter how little they are. Especially if it’s the first day of school. I always like to send my kids off to meet their teacher with a little extra something besides a bag full of ridiculously overpriced school supplies, if nothing else other than to say “good luck.”

Not that I’m actively counting the days down until my little angels start back to school or anything (6 more days!), I just like to be proactive…so I’m sharing with you a few inexpensive and adorable gifts (read “bribes”) I am recreating using thrifted items.

#1 Pencil Vase. Easy, cute, inexpensive. Supplies needed: thrifted base, pencils, hot glue. Cost around $2.

#2 Eraser Candy Tray. Easy, cute, inexpensive, unique. Supplies needed: thrifted plate and candlestick or cup for the base, pink erasers, wax paper. Cost around $3.

 

 

#3 Chickenwire Memo Frame: Medium difficulty, cute, unique and useful. Supplies needed: thrifted frame, clothes pins, chickenwire, staple gun. Cost around $7.

 

#4 Books, Games, & Puzzles: Easy, useful, and needed. Supplies: thrifted books, puzzles and/or games in good condition, twine to wrap them up in. Cost ranging from $1-$10 depending on amount you purchase.

 

#5 Mason jar filled with sweet treats: Easy and yummy. Supplies: sweets, thrifted mason jar. Cost around $2.

 

#6 Supply station: Medium difficulty, unique and useful. Supplies: thrifted tin pans or plates, candlesticks, inexpensive school supplies. Cost around $10.

 

Getting in good with the teacher from the start definately has it’s advantages. Cute and inexpensive gifts like these can go a long way. Check out Thrift Town’s app (which you can download from the Apple App Store for free) and you can save even more on your thrifty little creations using their VIP coupon.

For a few more ideas, check out Thrift Town’s Old School Pinterest Board.

Happy thrifting!

Gina Doglione-Nielsen is featured every week on Good Day Sacramento’s Thrifty Thursdays, and owns GNJ Consulting which handles Public, Social, and Media Relations for Thrift Town Stores. Gina lives in Northern California with her amazing husband Josh, and is constantly on the go with three “very active” and “strong personality” bambinos; aka Team Nielsen, and loves every minute of it.