In cub scouts we made a candle hoder. We took small veggie cans put water in then put them in the frezzer for 24 hr's then punch holes in the frozzen cans. Some of the kids made stars, flowers, ect. When thy got done we used spray paint.

Maybe you could get 17 smallish solid balls and decorate them with half marbles, shells, river rock, buttons, or old jewelry pieces, etc (like we do bowling balls). If the parents/grandparents don't do outdoor gardening, they could put them in an indoor plant as decoration. Good luck, whatever you decide to do - it is very thoughtful of you to do something like this for them.

How about a planted shoe for each of them? The kids could get involved by bringing an old shoe they can no longer wear. I find hen & chicks grow the best in them, but probably any sedum or succulent would work. Maybe you have some growing in your garden. Now I would have NO problem filling 17 little shoes out of my garden - I have them planted in everything! Some kids might not be able to bring a shoe, others will bring more than 1. Cut a hole in the toe area, fill with dirt, and plant. I'd love a gift like that! Maybe you could even come up with a little poem or saying about "no one else can fill your shoes" or something like that. They could be tennis shoes, boots, etc. - whatever the kids can bring.

Arlene

Here's a sample:

Arlene that is the cutest idea. I don't know if Kirk can use it but it is definately going in my file for future gift ideas. I even like the saying to go with it. I was a room mother when my children were in elementary school and I would have loved a gift like this.
Janet

Arlene that is a perfect saying for the shoe garden!!!!! I am going to copy that and put it on a sign and stick it into a shoe (-: Thanks for that idea!!!!!! Sedums grow well in shoes too(-: I agree this would be the best gift any one could give me(-; Of course you all know I love shoes....lol(-: But if it was a shoe from a kid in your class that would be all the more special...The kids could paint their names on the sides of the shoe too so they knew it were they came from(-:

Oh my gosh you guys........Just thought of this....this idea with the shoes/sign would be the "perfect" mothers day present!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Think that is what I am going to make for my mom for mothers day too!!!(-;

I wish I had thought of this...these ideas WOULD all make great Mother's Day gifts! I think all of the ideas are great! Luvs2click, I never thought to put holes in the toe of the shoe! I like the idea of having kids bring in old shoes! I love your slogan! Great idea! I love the lantern idea and the mosaic ball idea! I'm quite serious when I say I'm copying these ideas and going to use them in my classroom throughout the year! Thanks for sharing! Keep the ideas coming! As always, YOU INSPIRE ME! Kirk

Another quick and simple thing would be to have the kids use that plastic foam and dowel to make plant stakes...just give them some flower patterns to copy...or you can buy some of them precut at WM and Michaels. We made some one year for the GSs teacher with a flower tag saying "Thanks for helping me grow" and glued a pic of the boy in the middle of the flower.

We took smaller sized terra cotta pots (6" or so), put butterfly stickers on them and then planted seeds. The note was something like (can't remember) "you helped me transform (meaning the butterfly) into the person I am." You could instead paint or stencil a flower on the pot, add your seeds and a saying like: "with love and care, everything blooms".

Thank you for even MORE great ideas!!!!! Kirk