western themed teacher appreciation ideas

Easy Ideas for Western Themed Appreciation Event

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There are a lot of teacher appreciation themes that teachers are over. Anything with apples, for example.

Just ask a teacher what they think and I’m almost certain that they’ll grimace.

Instead, why not treat your school staff to a Western themed ho-down teacher appreciation event?

This post will give you a bunch of ideas for how to decorate for the event, activities for each day of the week and a full menu with recipes for a luncheon!

First, the decorations…

Western Themed Decorations

There are so many fun options for decorating up a space with a Western theme!

5 Pack Western Cowboy Party Decorations Bandana Pennant Banner Western Cowboy Banner Wild West Decor Western Cowboy Themed Yee Haw Country Party Decoration Supplies 9.8 x 5 ft(Red Paisley)

This bandana themed banner is a great way to set the tone for the event.

Hang high up on a wall or drape along a table.

3 Pieces Cowboy Banner Yee Haw Banner Bandana Pennant Banner Wild West Party Accessory for Western Cowboy Party Themed Decoration


Maybe even layer this Yee Haw banner over the bandana banner when hung on the wall for a richer theme look!

40 Pieces Western Cowboy Bandana Balloons Cowboy Balloons Large 12 Inch Latex Bandana Balloon Blue Red for Western Cowboy Birthday Wedding Baby Shower Party Decorations

Balloons are a super easy and inexpensive way to add into decorating schemes!  

Who knew bandana print balloons were even a thing?

Western Theme Cowboy Birthday Party Supplies Wild West Balloon Bouquet 14 pc Decorations

Mix in some fun shaped balloons for a really fun arrangement.

Pllieay 50 Pieces Plastic White Balloon Sticks with Cups for Party, Valentine's Day, Wedding, Anniversary Decoration

Instead of paying for helium, get your PTO some balloon stick holders!

The really nice thing about these holders is that they’re 100% reusable. So buy them once and use them for all of your PTO events!

Check out this post for tips on putting together a balloon arch oh so easily!

Western Themed Ideas for Each Day of the Week

I’m least creative when I’m rushed or tired.

And by the end of the school year, I’m feeling both!

So to remove that mental roadblock in case you’re in a similar position, and follow this plan for the entire week of Western themed events!

Monday

Start off the week with a yummy s’mores, popcorn or trail mix bar!

Teachers and staff will really love having a fun and portable snack to start off the week!

And as the coordinator of Teacher Appreciation Week, you’ll like how flexible this a trail mix bar is because it can come together with any mix of the following:

  • Popcorn
  • Almonds
  • Peanuts
  • Mini Hershey kisses
  • M&Ms
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Raisins
  • Mini marshmellows
  • Mini graham crackers
  • Dried cranberries
  • Small pretzels
  • Mini cookies
  • Chex mix
  • Anything else little and tasty!

Blulu 100 Pieces Western Bandana Cellophane Bags Red Bandana Print Cello Treat Bags Cookie Candy Bags with 100 Pieces Silver Twist Ties for Western Cowboy Theme Party Favor

Set out a bunch of these bandana print bags for the snack mix for the most portability.

Junkin Cowboy Birthday Party Supplies Carnival 0.66 lb Red Paisley Food Tray Paper Bandana Western Party Favor Western Nacho Trays Paperboard Hot Dog Tray Cowboy Party Decorations (Cowboy, 30 Pcs)

Or for smaller portions, these trays will work well!

Tuesday

sheriff teacher appreciation printable

Snag my Sheriff’s Badge Appreciation printable template pictured above, by entering your information into the subscription form above (you’ll get the template + PTO tips).

Copy the template onto gold, red or blue paper, and then distribute to students and PTO members for them to customize with their teacher’s name and why they love their teacher!

Then post up in the teacher’s lounge, on the teachers’ doors and up and down the school hallways for all to see!

Wednesday

Bag up some mints and tuck into staff mailboxes for an unexpected treat!

Western Cowboy Bandanna Butter Mints Candy Bags 100 Count Mint Candies 13 Oz Treats Sweets Party Favors For Blue & Red Birthday Themes & Parties & For Any Special Occasions

These little bandana print mints are so cute!  
Seriously, who thinks of things like this!  

Dad's Root Beer Barrels - Washburn Hard Old Fashioned Candy Individually Wrapped, 4 LB Bulk Candy

Or surprise them with some root beer candies.

Thursday

No Teacher Appreciation Week is complete without a luncheon!

PHOGARY 2 Pieces Western Party Tablecloth, Bandana Western Cowboy Themed Disposable Table Cloth Red Paisley Print Plastic Rectangular Floral Table Covers for Western Cowboy Themed Party Decorations

Add coordinating tablecloths to the serving and dining tables to make clean up super easy!

Blue Gingham Picnic / Party Plastic Tablecloth Roll, Disposable Picnic colored Table cloth On a Roll With Self Cutter Box,Cut Tablecloth To Your Own Table Size,Indoor/Outdoor, By Clearly Elegant

If you need to cover a lot of table surfaces, this table cloth on a roll will come in mighty handy!

Fanci-Fetti Western Icons (copper, gold, silver) Party Accessory  (1 count) (1 Oz/Pkg)

Sprinkle on some fun western themed confetti too.

Large Galvanized Metal Buckets with Chalkboard Stickers - Snack Baskets, Party Favors, Party Accessories and Decorations, Succulent Planter -12 Pails with Stickers

Use these silver mini buckets to for flatware display or add in rolled silverware to make it easy for teachers to grab lunch and go!  

They could be used for so many other themes in addition to a Western theme, making them a good investment for your PTO.

Cow and Bandana Cupcake Wrappers for Kids Birthday Parties, Baby Showers, Farm themed Bridal Showers/Weddings, and School Events. Set of 24 Reversible Cow Print to Red Bandana pattern Cup Cake Holder

I like this unique serving idea!  I’ve never thought of doubling a clear cup with a cupcake liner to get this neat effect!  

Please tell me I’m not the only one!

Totally adding this to my event planning bag of tricks!

Ruiqiger 50 Pack Gingham Foil Cupcake Baking Cups, 3.5 Oz Checkered Gold Foil Cupcake Liners Muffin Liners Mini Cake Cupcake Baking

I’m also a sucker for anything gingham. I’ve always loved this pattern and always look to incorporate it into everything, so these gingham cupcake liners are a winner in my book!

Beistle 26" x 18" Inflatable Cactus Cooler (57082)

Decorate the room and keep drinks cool at the same time with this fun cactus drink cooler.

Red Gingham Party Supplies Tableware Set 50 9" Plates 50 7" Plate 100 Luncheon Napkin Disposable Dinnerware Paper Goods Red & White Gingham Checkered Plaid Picnic Barbecue Birthday Party Gift Boutique

Mix some patterns and use this red gingham check tableware set.

Western Themed Food Ideas

A Western theme is one to go crazy with fun food ideas!  

Here are a few to get you started:

A chili bar is a nice, flexible option for everyone from Vegans to full out Carnivores.  

Borrow some crock pots and don’t worry about keeping food warm throughout the entire luncheon.

Add in little BBQ slider sandwiches for the non-paleo folks and offer big dill pickles for a salty snack.

For dessert, make gluten free haystacks or cereal bar “hay bales.”

Friday

Send the teachers and staff off with one last thank you for all the hard work they put into making your school so fabulous!

Whip up a few batches of The Pioneer Woman’s Knock You Naked Brownies and set out in the teacher’s lounge for staff to devour!

They will love them!

There’s really no shortage of cute bandana themed items to round out a country western theme!  

Red Western Square 7" Dessert Plates (16) and Beverage Napkins (16) Party Bundle

These bandana plates and napkins are pretty adorable!

WXLDGHQ 100 Pcs Cow Print Birthday Party Supplies,Includes 50 Pcs Cow Plates and 50 Pcs Cow Napkins,Disposable Cow Theme Party Supplies,Cow Theme Birthday Party Decorations for Baby Shower

There’s a lot of bandana print suggestions in the post, so I thought I’d end with a different print to mix in and this cow print plate set is perfect.

Over to you

And there you go!

An entire week long full of Western themed teacher appreciation events that won’t break the bank for your PTO!

For even more appreciation theme ideas, check out this ultimate round up of theme ideas!

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Christina Hidek

Author of The Principal's Parent Group Playbook: Practical PTO Partnership Strategies for a Stronger School Community. Recovering attorney turned Professional Organizer. Host of the vibrant Super Star PTO Leaders Facebook Group. PTO/PTA engagement expert and school parent group volunteer nerd with 15+ years of experience. Learn more about Christina here.
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