Teacher Gifts
The holidays are a great time to thank those teachers who go above and beyond to make school a great place for your child. You can never go wrong with a gift card slipped into a kind thank you note. Take this chance to express your appreciation for your teacher’s creativity, commitment, and hard work! But if gift cards are not quite your style, here are a few suggestions to express your appreciation.
A Classroom Donation
Budgets are tight, and many teachers end up spending their own money for classroom supplies. Help them out this year by gifting books, games for indoor recess, or dry erase markers. Not sure what would be most helpful? Have you child create a “coupon” to be redeemed for a hard-cover book of the teacher’s choosing or for any needed classroom supplies. This way the teacher can let you know what supply is running low.
Personalized Paper
Teachers write lots of cards, notes, lists, and reminders. It is always more fun to do this on cute, personalized paper!
The Best Pens
Teachers get pretty picky about their pens and markers, but PaperMate Flair Pens or Sharpies are tried and true favorites!
Magnetic Organization
Teachers love to be organized! These plastic containers are magnetized, meaning they can stick to the outside of a metal desk or onto a magnetic dry erase board. They can contain up to 10 pounds of materials, so they’re perfect for even heavy duty books, notebooks, or folders!
Classroom Plant
Instead of flowers, opt for an indoor plant that lasts longer and requires little maintenance. This Snake Plant Zeylanica is good choice to brighten up a teacher’s desk.
Personalized Stamp
You can personalize the hairstyle and color of this stamp, plus add accessories like glasses or a tie, to make a one-of-a-kind creation. You can also tweak the text if you'd rather say something like, "Property of Mr. Smith’s Classroom."
Subscription for Book Of The Month
What teachers doesn’t love a good book? This subscription allows giftees to choose from five new books each month. You can choose to give a three, six, or twelve month subscription.
Audible Subscription
Or give the audio version instead! You can buy a subscription to Audible, so your favorite teacher can listen on the commute to school.
Favorite Things Gift Bag
Find out some of your teacher’s favorites and put together a special gift bag. At the beginning of the year, I sent a “Get To Know You Survey” for the teacher to fill out. It asks questions like what’s your favorite candy, favorite restaurant, favorite sweet treat, favorite snack food, favorite coffee drink and favorite color. I use this information to put together a special gift bag for the holidays and again during Teacher Appreciation Week (first full week of May).
Don’t panic if you don’t have a survey! Just have your student do some investigating. Kids are known to ask out-of-the-blue, random questions. So give your child a mission, and have them find out about their teacher’s favorites!
And don’t forget to tap into what your child already knows about their teacher. Do they always start the morning with a cup of coffee? Pick up some beans from a local roaster! Do they always make up math problems that involve the Bengals? Grab some Bengals gear! Do they talk Harry Potter every chance they get? This water bottle would be their new favorite.
Happy shopping, and above all, be sure to include a note of thanks, maybe even two - one from you and one from your child!
Written by Joy Becker, Mentoring Coordinator.
