This weekend, as I shopped for the kids and my family, I picked up a few ideas for teacher gifts.
Many of us tend to spend $10-$20 on gifts for teacher and $5-15 on assistants/daycare staff (I'm not talking nannies or sitters, which tend to get much more). These teacher gifts aren't required, but many of us do it to show appreciation for the time they spend with our children.
If you can't afford a gift, a thank-you note is appropriate. I've been told by a few teachers that a homemade craft is nice, too. And if you can afford something much more extravagant, fight the urge to get the teacher something fancy (I've heard some teachers getting jewelry, sporting event tickets and mini trips, which is way more than I could afford). It may look like a bribe for a better grade or so that little "Johnny" or "Jane" doesn't get another note about his/her poor behavior, focus, attitude, etc.
If you have the cash and want to spend it on the teacher, think about buying books or supplies for the class. You know, there are those nice tax credits for extra curricular activities. The teacher and principal will be happy and you get tax credit. It's win-win.
For those with few ideas other than lotion, candles and gift cards. The first two may be appreciated, but you won't be the only one giving it. So try to stay away from those. But gift cards are always great.
Here are some of suggestions:
1. Let's talk about gift cards a bit. You can go with something generic - Target, for instance. But try to know more about your teacher. If you know she or he loves coffee, try Starbucks or a neighborhood coffee shop. A book lover will enjoy a card to a bookstore. An athletic or outdoorsy teacher may find many uses for an REI or a sporting goods store card. Even if you don't know your teacher very well, you can also think a little out of the box and go with a car wash gift card or gas gift card.
2. Go in with another couple of moms and get the teacher a massage or manicure/pedicure combo. I can't think of one teacher that won't enjoy a little pampering. Even a male teacher will like the massage idea. Set an amount for everyone so that you can purchase this gift together and have every child sign the card.
3. Create a gift basket. If you have time to get more than 2-4 parents involved, this could be great. Have all the students draw pictures or write short stories about their teacher, then bind the stories together. Collect $5-10 from students (remember not all will participate) and use it to buy a nicer gift.
For a movie loving teacher, you can get a classic movie or two, such as "Gone With the Wind" (or if you know they love comedies, "Princess Bride" is great), put it in a basket with some gift cards to a movie theater and/or a video rental store and package with some microwave popcorn.
If they love pampering, you can try for a spa basket with some comfy slippers, a pumice stone, nail implements (clippers/files), neutral nail polish - no candles or lotion - or small massager and a gift certificate to a nearby spa for a pedicure or massage.
4. Pick up a photo album or picture frame. Many cute ones can be found for under $15. You can stick one photo of your child with the teacher in the photo album, but don't put one in the frame (that should be for her choosing). She has at least 20 kids in class and you can't assume yours is her favorite.
5. Gotta a music loving teacher? If you know they have an iPod, an iTunes card is great. But you can also go with a CD of a new artist, such as smooth sounding Colbie Caillat (get a gift receipt just in case they already own the CD). Another idea is a DVD of a concert performance.
6. If you know they celebrate Christmas, consider an ornament for their tree. Hallmark and other makers have teacher ornaments. For male teachers, consider an ornaments featuring their favorite sports team (this works, too, for women if you know they are a fan).
7. Buy a gift card to a teacher supply store. OK, this is another gift card, but the others were really about her or him. This is for the class, and I'm told by a few teachers that this always comes in handy.
8. Buy a plant. Flowers are nice, too, but a potted plant is long lasting and will look nice on her desk the remainder of the school year. Personalize it by having your child decorate a clay pot. You can replant it in the pot or just set the plant in the pot.
9. Avoid soap, cologne, perfume and other smelly things. You don't know if your teacher has an allergy.
10. Avoid foods. Chocolate may seem nice, but there's a possibility 20 others will bring chocolate and you don't know if they are diabetic or just trying to lose weight. (I learned this lesson a few years back - Sorry!) Baking may seem nice, but often that ends up in the trash. They don't know how clean your kitchen is.
I'm sure I will think of more later. If you have ideas, please share with other moms at the bottom of this blog.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
As a former teacher, I so
As a former teacher, I so appreciate the thought. I might not speak for others, but I always felt a little odd accepting personal things, like toiletries, from students. The "World's Best Teacher" mug is nice, but you can only use one at a time.
What I would suggest is getting together things that the teacher "owns" but can use in the classroom. School supplies are short all around. The next time you're in the room, check it out.
Does the teacher have basic office supplies for him/herself? A good sturdy stapler, a 3-hole punch, a paper-cutter, a good pair of scissors -- think all the things you use at your desk. You'd be surprised at what teachers have to borrow or share, or how much they spend on paper, file folders, paper clips and such.
What kind of stash does your teacher have for decorating the walls and bulletin boards? What shape are these items in? Poster frames are nice; not only do they spruce up the room, but they protect posters from wear and tear.
If the classroom still has chalkboards, chalk holders and good erasers are great; if it has whiteboards, s/he can't have enough whiteboard markers, erasers, and cleaning spray.
Another winner is a school shirt -- a button-down, polo, or sweat shirt in one school color with the teacher's name monogrammed in the other.
Whatever it is, I think it's terrific that parents care enough to want to give something nice.
I asked my daughter's
I asked my daughter's teacher what she thought was a cool teacher's gift, and she mentioned supplies or a gift card for supplies. It surprised me, but she said they get very little support for supplies from the schools.