The Birth of Something Sweet: Teacher Appreciation Edition

There’s something about end-of-year gifting that always draws me in. Maybe it’s the sense of gratitude that fills the air, or the quiet joy that comes with making something personal - something that says thank you without needing many words.

As the school term winds down, my kitchen starts to bust at the seams. I know you know what I mean! Late nights, Hallmark Christmas movies playing in the background, trays of cookies cooling on the bench (well, now on my baker’s trolley), ribbons and boxes scattered across the bench — and the dining table... and the desks... and the chairs... and every other horizontal surface. It’s equal parts chaos and comfort… okay, maybe a little more chaos than comfort!

But it’s also one of my favourite times of the year. My eyes are tired, my arms feel heavy, but my heart is full. Full of appreciation for the beautiful customers who choose me to create their teacher gifts each year.

From chaos to clarity

By the time 2024 rolled around, I was heading into my third end-of-year baking season in business. Each year had taught me something new — what worked, what didn’t, and what absolutely needed a better system before December chaos hit again.

Teacher cookie packs have always been a favourite in my community (there are a lot of young families around here), and every season they seem to grow just a little bit bigger. I love that these cookies have become part of people’s end-of-year traditions — but with that growth came a realisation: if I wanted to keep up with demand and maintain my attention to detail, I needed a simpler, more cohesive way to create.

There are so many beautiful stamp designers and suppliers out there that I genuinely love and admire, but I couldn’t quite find something that suited my style or the simplicity I was aiming for. That’s when it clicked — why not design my own?

Bringing the stamps to life

I knew exactly what I wanted: impression stamps that were clean, timeless, and easy to use. Having worked with iEmboss before, I commissioned them to bring my ideas to life. I sent through my designs and sizing, and they produced each one in their signature high-quality acrylic.

When the stamps arrived, I used them to create that year’s teacher cookie gift packs (well, except for one! I forgot to include Best Teacher Ever because I already had another stamp I loved at the time. But it’s absolutely making an appearance this year!).

Those packs quickly became some of my most loved designs to date. They resonated so well with my customers that I’ll be reusing many of the same designs again this year. I mean, if it’s working beautifully, why change it?

Designing with purpose

Now that I had my text stamps sorted, it was time to start planning how I’d use them. I kept coming back to the why behind these cookies — their purpose.

As both a baker and a teacher, I’ve always seen this season from two sides. When I design my packs, I’m not just thinking about the customer who’s buying them; I’m thinking about the person on the receiving end — the teacher who opens that box at the end of a long school year and feels genuinely appreciated. That’s the heart of it for me: creating something that carries that feeling of gratitude from one person to another.

I know how special it feels to be thought of and appreciated, and I wanted that same sentiment to flow through every cookie I make. That meant designing a collection that felt joyful and timeless, but also practical — something that could be recreated easily, again and again, without losing its charm.

Choosing a Feature Cookie

When it was time to design my Teacher Appreciation collection, I didn’t overthink it. I simply started with what I love — shapes and designs that have stood the test of time in my own kitchen. These are the cookies I come back to every year because they just work.

Each set starts with one or two feature cookies that anchor the whole design. For me, that usually means a classic shape that photographs beautifully, fits well in my packaging, and has that perfect “aww” factor when people open the box.

My Favourite Feature Cookies

A few of my favourites have been part of my teacher packs for several seasons now. The ‘Smart Cookie’ from Cookie Co Cuts, for instance, has become a staple. It's cute, balanced, and always a crowd favourite. I honestly can’t imagine my Teacher Appreciation range without it.

The daisy used in the 'Thanks for Helping Me Grow' set has also become a regular in my rotation. It’s such a sweet, happy design and always gets compliments. This specific design came from Stamped by Amelia, though I don’t believe that store is open right now.

Side note - when I’m choosing or designing floral cookies, I look for shapes that look beautiful on their own merit, without lots of layers or colour changes. When hundreds of cookies are going through my kitchen, I’m all about efficiency. The goal is to make each cookie feel special while still being realistic to produce at scale.

How I decorate the cookie itself

When it comes to decorating, I’m drawn to designs that feel joyful but still practical — something that looks beautiful without being complicated to produce. My “Thanks for Being a Smart Cookie” set is the perfect example of that balance. It’s simple, quick to decorate, and always puts a smile on people’s faces.

For the smart cookie itself, I keep the process minimal: press the stamp into fondant, let it dry, then paint the chocolate chips and add the eyes with an edible marker. It’s a small detail, but it brings so much character to the cookie.

Sure, I could have two-toned him but truthfully, it’s simply not necessary with this design. He looks super cute in a single colour and to be honest, I don’t think anyone would ever know if the background was a different colour to the actual cookie design.

The same goes for the donut  cookie — it’s one of my favourites because it’s simple but playful (it’s the cut out centre heart!) and doesn’t require two-toning. Instead, I bring it to life with sprinkles. My go-to is the Primrose Hill blend from Picnart Sugar. It adds just the right amount of colour and texture to make the entire set pop.

That’s really the heart of how I decorate: small thoughtful touches that make each cookie feel special. Then, pair that with clean, efficient techniques that are realistic to repeat at scale. As a busy baker, this combination of beauty and practicality is everything.

It’s all about the scallops

Because the impression stamps are so simple in their design, the rest of the cookie really matters — the shape, the balance, the proportions.

Right now, scalloped edges are everywhere (seriously, take a walk through the shops and you’ll spot them on everything from plates to notebooks!). For cookies, they just make sense. They add instant softness and charm while still keeping things clean and modern.

Since the wording on my stamps was intentionally minimal, I wanted the cookie shape itself to bring a little extra personality — something that felt current but still timeless.

Size Really Does Matter

For this collection, I made the text stamped cookies slightly larger than standard size, around 75 mm instead of 70 mm. It might not sound like much, but it makes a big difference visually. Larger cookies fill the gift boxes more beautifully, give the stamped design more breathing room, and feel like a more generous treat for the recipient.

From a baker’s perspective, the difference in ingredient cost is tiny — but the end result looks far more premium.

To keep the whole Teacher Appreciation collection cohesive, I used my square scallop cutter in almost every pack, and kept the fondant colour mostly consistent. Hellooooo productivity! That small decision made the process so much smoother - fewer colour changes, simpler planning, and a more refined, intentional look across every set.

It’s simple, cohesive, and efficient which is exactly what I wanted this collection to be.

From personal project to product

I never set out to sell the stamps. I created them purely for my own use - something practical, beautiful, and easy to return to year after year. But then the messages started rolling in. Baker after baker reached out asking where I’d found them, and that’s when it hit me — maybe these could be something more than just part of my own toolkit.

What began as a small personal project to simplify my own process has grown into the first release of the Sweet Like Alya Teacher Appreciation Acrylic Impression Stamps. Designed with care, created with intention, and made to bring joy to everyone involved in the process, from the baker who creates them to the teacher who receives them.

What you’ll need

To recreate these Teacher Appreciation cookie packs, you only need a few key elements: the right stamps, a well-sized cutter, and a few feature cookies to build out each set.

I’ve shared what I used below in case you’d like to follow along, but take it or leave it - of course you can bring your own flair to the impression stamps and make the packs your own!

Essentials

• Acrylic Impression Stamps - Designed by Sweet Like Alya, manufactured by iemboss

  • Thanks for making me a smart cookie

  • Thank you for helping me grow

  • How sweet it is to be taught by you

  • Best teacher ever

  • Best educators ever

    
    

• Square Scallop Cutter – 75mm, perfectly sized to suit the text stamps

  • Two-toned physical cutter

  • STL file digital download

    
    

• Feature Cookies – a mix of fun, balanced shapes that complement the stamped cookies beautifully:

  • Donut debosser and cutter from Cooki Co Cuts

  • Smart cookie from Cooki Co Cuts

  • Daisy stamps - the one I used is no longer available to purchase, but some of my favourite suppliers also have beautiful designs! Have a look at these ones if you’re after a flower:

    • Daisy debosser and cutter from Cooki Co Cuts

    • Daisy cookie stamp and cutter from Vintage Sugarcraft by Catherine

    • Multiple designs available from That’s So Sweet Designs

      
      

Each of these designs ties in with the sentiment of the stamp, giving every box a sense of balance and personality while keeping the decorating process simple and efficient.

Packaging and Presentation

For packaging, I used the 18 × 9 × 2 cm Twin Cookie Dessert Box with Clear Slide Cover (Gloss White) from BOXXD. They fit two cookies neatly side by side and give that clean, professional finish that makes the final product feel special right from the moment it’s opened.

I also printed my own backing liners for the inside of each box. It's one of my favourite quick ways to elevate presentation without adding much time. I’ve done this for a few years now! For these packs, I downloaded a soft, neutral gingham watercolour print from Canva and printed them on a lightweight matte cardstock.

It’s a small touch, but it completely transforms the look of the final product. Every element — the cookie, the colour, the packaging — works together to create something thoughtful and cohesive.

The end of the beginning

Creating these Teacher Appreciation cookie stamps has felt like such a natural next step in my baking journey.

What started as a personal project to make my workflow easier has turned into something that connects me with other bakers who love this season just as much as I do. My hope is that these designs make your teacher-season prep a little smoother, spark a few new ideas, and help you create cookies that feel meaningful and memorable.

Whether you use these exact stamps or simply take inspiration from the idea of keeping things simple and timeless, I hope this post encourages you to create with intention — and to enjoy the process as much as the final product.