Teacher Gifts {Halloween Simmering Spices}

 For Halloween this year I wanted to create something simple for the teachers and staff at my children's school. Now that I have 2 kids in school full time, the amount of teachers add up quickly.  So keeping it fun, personal and affordable is key!

I chose to make simmering spice packets.   I did these a couple of years ago, and they were a huge hit with the teachers.  One they said they wanted again!  

I've created a tutorial so that you can create the same things for your friends or family.  These could be used for Thanksgiving, and even Christmas.  Enjoy!

You will need the following supplies:

• Fresh Oranges
• Fresh Lemons
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Whole Cloves
• Whole Allspice
• Ground Nutmeg
• Ground Cinnamon

I like to order my spices on Amazon Prime, and a lot of times you can find them on sale in bulk.

 Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.  Start by slicing your oranges and lemons into 1/4" slices. Place them on cookie sheets.  I reccommend using parchment paper to prevent sticking.

 

 Place them in the oven for 1 hour. Flip the slices, and bake for another hour.  If they are still too moist, flip them over and go another half hour.  Do this until they are very thin and dry.

In the meantime grab your spices and some plastic baggies.

 

I am using some pumpkin gift bags that I scored on Target clearance a few years ago.  But I have also had great luck finding fun bags on Amazon, and with prime it just makes sense.

 

Inside I will place my sandwich baggies full of spices.  Add about 5 cinnamon sticks, 3 Tablespoons of whole cloves, 2 Tablespoons of whole Allspice, 1 Tablespoon of Ground Nutmeg, and 1 Tablespoon of ground Cinnamon.

  

 

In a separate baggie, place your dried and cooled fruit slices.  I used 2 orange, and 3 lemon slices in each bag.

 

 

Tuck both baggies into whatever container you choose.  You could do this with any brown paper bag.  And you are done!  Now time to package.

 

I create a very simple word doc with easy directions on how to use the simmering spices.  I also grabbed some spooky kraft tags, and some dyed seam binding.

 

 

Be sure to tell your recipients what they will need to do in order to enjoy the fabulous fall aroma!

 

Once I cut the directions, I slipped them into each bag.

 

Then simple hold punch two holes into the top of the bag.

 

I tied the orange seam binding through and into a knot.  Then I tied my tags to that.

 

That's it!   These gifts will bring such joy to this spooky halloween night.  

 

I dressed up a metal basket, and these gifts are ready to head out the door with my children in the morning. 

 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed my tutorial.  

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