Last Minute Halloween Gifts

I know I've said it before, but it bears repeating again.  

I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!!!  

I love everything about it.  Not the gore and the horror {although scary movies are my most favorite to watch}, but everything else.  There will always be a little kid in me that just wants to trick-or-treat, veg out on candy, and watch as many scary movies as I can.  And let's be real.  I sorta still get to do that, but nowadays I send my kids door-to-door and when we come back home to check out our loot, I take their candy...y'know, only the pieces that look unsafe to eat {aka: my favorites...sour patch kids & kit kats}.  Once the boys come down from their sugar high, we send them to bed and then stay up late watching old scary movies, laughing at the parts that used to freak us out as kids, and enjoy every last bit of that "unsafe" candy I took away from the kids earlier.  Life is good.

Now I want to share a few last minute Halloween treats if you're in search of something to send to school with your kids tomorrow.

If there's any day in the school year that teachers need a little pick-me-up, it's Halloween.  And Valentine's Day.  And, well, any day that involves copious amounts of sugar.  But seriously, teachers need to know you stand with them in solidarity on this crazy, crazy day.  So we're sending our teachers a batch of homemade cookies this year because teachers like sugar, too :)  And hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em ;)  

{cookie recipe HERE}

About a week ago, my youngest was begging to make Peanut Butter Blossoms.  I've never made them before, but he had some at a friend's house and he couldn't stop talking about them.  So I went on a hunt for a recipe and then stumbled upon this recipe and picture.  

via Allrecipes.com

DARLING!!!!  

I wanted to try it.  I really did.  But I decided a batch of regular PB Blossoms would do the trick because ain't nobody got time for all that.  And then I went to Target and found these little Wilton eyes in the baking section.  And a little squeeze tube of icing.  And then I was all, "I'll make time for that" because sometimes I like to torture myself and do things completely unnecessary.  

And it was fun.

I do realize that these guys look a lot more like the worm from "Diary of a Worm" than spiders, but hey...they'll work.

I bought these darling cookie containers at Dillard's last year a few weeks after Halloween.  I wish I would've bought more.  I scored 'em for a whopping $3 a piece!!!!  I LOVE scouring the sale shelves at Dillard's after season.  You can find the best stuff for the cheapest prices!  Perfect for gift giving!!!   I pulled them out the other day and knew our little spider blossom cookies would be a perfect fit!  Unfortunately, I only had two, so I improvised and pulled out another cookie jar I've been holding onto for a few years and I'll be using that one to send to school also.  

We gave these little boxes to the boys' teachers last year.  I found the printable from My Sister's Suitcase HERE and stuffed the boxes with a cozy pair of socks and foot cream.  Simple and sweet!  The cups were a fun treat for their friends...I just cut out & glued on a mouth {drawing them took too long!}, googly eyes, and filled them with cheese balls!  Couldn't have been easier!

My oldest wanted me to make goodie bags for his class again this year and I was totally on board.  Then I saw this on Pinterest {for the love!!!!}

via Sugar, Spice, & Spilled Milk

I can't melt white chocolate without burning it every.single.time. so I wasn't really sold on the idea until I found these melts at Hobby Lobby.

SOLD.

So I made a class set of these for both boys to take to their friends tomorrow.  I mean, they'll get plenty of candy trick-or-treating, so this seemed like a pretty fun alternative and they really didn't take long at all to make! And they were SO easy!!!!! 

This will be the first year that Mr. Spouse won't be home to trick-or-treat.  SADSVILLE.  He has a game that night and we're thissad about it.  When he works {he's an athletic trainer} so do his kids.  I remember being in high school and still trick-or-treating.  {Confession:  I went trick-or-treating when I was a freshman in college.  I definitely dressed up as a cow and tagged along with my younger siblings and cousin.  Growing up at that point wasn't an option :)} Those big kids are bummed they'll be missing out on all the Halloween festivities this year and that makes me sad.  So we're bringing a little bit of Halloween to them.

I wanted to do something a little special for them to say 'thank you' for everything they do and hopefully make them smile.  Even big kids are still kids.  So they'll be getting these tomorrow...

Of course, gauze would've been cuter, but all I had was crepe paper and it works just the same :)  I used a dollop of hot glue to adhere it in place then tied it all up with a little ribbon.  The paper inserts on the lid were printed and then cut out with a 2.5" circle cutter {found at Hobby Lobby}. It was the perfect size!  I didn't glue it down or anything...I just placed it on top of the lid then screwed down the rim to secure it in place.

The jars are filled to the brim with candy....good candy {there IS a difference! Ha!!!}  

Can't wait 'til tomorrow!!!  And if you're a teacher, God bless your sweet soul.  I'm sure you wish you could press fast forward until Saturday {oh, sweet Saturday}.   Look on the bright side.  At least you're not dealing with a full moon, too ;)