Centerpiece Ideas for a Teachers Luncheon

A teachers luncheon is a great way to show appreciation for your hard-working teachers, while giving them time to relax and enjoy themselves. Putting together fun and creative centerpieces can add to the festive environment. Consider what the theme for the luncheon will be, and any special qualities of the teaching staff when planning the centerpiece designs. Include useful classroom items in the design, and invite the teachers to take the centerpieces home with them. Your teachers will appreciate your thoughtfulness in making not only beautiful but also useful centerpieces.

Plants

A plant can be used for a lovely centerpiece, and can also be given away as a souvenir. Use a smooth pot and a flowering plant. Use two rubber bands around the outside of the pot, then ring the outside of the pot with pencils stuck under the rubber bands, creating a sort of bamboo look. Pencils can be traditional "number 2s" or you can use pencils in school colors. The pots can also be wrapped in a roll of school-themed stickers. Teachers can take home the pencils and stickers, and one lucky teacher gets the plant as well.

Use books the school owns, or find inexpensive books at a thrift store or used book store. Print pictures of authors, scientists, historical figures, and musicians and place inside inexpensive clear plastic frames. Stack four or five books in the center of the table, and top with one of the picture frames. Each table can be for specific subjects if you choose, such as English books and pictures of authors for the Language Arts teachers, science books and pictures of scientists for the science teachers, etc. Surround the book pile with pencils, rulers, guitar picks or reeds, and other items that reflect the various subjects taught by the teachers.

Use a large glass vase or plastic bowl and fill with fun teacher items or school supplies, such as erasers, mini staplers, miniature sharpies, sticker packets, bookmarks, etc. Once the container is full, insert long-stemmed candy flowers, such as Hershey's Kiss roses. Your teachers will enjoy the candy and appreciate the school supplies.

As you plan your luncheon, enlist the art classes in your school. Discuss your theme and ideas. Most art students love a creative project. Perhaps they can make paper mache containers reflecting the school or community to hold flowers or favors. They might focus on recycling, and create centerpieces of found items. Have them submit drawings and ideas to you, then discuss them and have your committee vote on them. You might decide on a theme, and then allow different classes to create centerpieces that show their take on the theme or what they appreciate about their teachers. The possibilities are endless. Your teachers will love seeing the creativity of their students, and the students will feel good about their contributions. .