Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

By

four leaf clover

I think at this economy, any teacher would be happy with gift card. Anything of value would really help out at a time like this. Much better than some crappy mug or t shirts.

By

Vaylmer

I'm a teacher, and every year I read through these "What should I get my kid's teacher?" posts and every year I read responses from teachers about all of the horrible gifts they got, and it really angers me. No one should be buying us anything. Gift cards to Starbucks? Please! We are city employees, not volunteers. If a parent wants to buy something for a teacher that's nice, but honestly, we get paid for teaching. If you want to show your appreciation, I recommend you call or write a nice note.

By

alsminis

This depends on the teacher's age and experience.
Younger teachers appreciate personal items. Others may prefer items for classroom use. I have taught 24 years and I never want another mug! However a dainty china cup and saucer with tea bags would be welcome. Many female teachers are watching their weight. Think of this before you send candy or homemade goodies, or send enough that she can share them with the class. Useful items, like dish towels, markers, tape, etc. are good. How about a small basket of fresh fruit? This provides a healthy snack if the teacher has to stay after school.
Ask your child questions about things his/her teacher may have said or done that can be clues about hobbies, diet, preference in restaurants, etc. Thanks for being so thoughtful and looking for just the right gift! P.S. Never, never anything scented. It is really hard to guess someone's preference in smells.

By

mulberry204

The best gift I ever received was a handwritten thank you note for working with a child.

By

Stngray

When you give the teachers gifts, please remember the School Counselor and maybe the School Nurse if she is there full-time. They always seem to be left out.

By

lindal

I am a retired teacher. Please, no Avon, mugs or anything with fragrance. My favorite gifts have been gift cards to places like Starbucks (if she is a coffee drinker) gourmet coffee or tea as appropriate, class room stuff like stickers or markers, personalized pens, homemade gift certificates for lunch to be delivered to the school one day.

By

HalfWhit

I make greeting cards and it's so easy to make some note cards for a teacher. Just cut some card stock or construction paper in half, fold the two pieces, stamp, glue, paste, type or even hand write (my hand writing is bad so I always type something (Thanks a Bunch, then a flower graphic; Thank You for... then inside the card (s)he can write whatever (s)he wants. Themes are endless and you don't have to do just Thank You cards , just blank note cards. The children can help and do whatever they want on the cards. Envelopes can be bought at any office store, 100 for about $8, just get "invitation size" and your already cut cards will just fit. Have fun!

By

JustPlainJo

There are some good ideas here, which may or may not work for your situation. You wouldn't want to get your child's teacher sweets if he/she is diabetic, for example. It helps if you know your child's teacher and what he/she likes. It may sound crass, but when in doubt, go for the gift card with the widest possible application. Krogers and Wal-marts have gas pumps and their fuel is reasonable. There is also a wide array of other things one can get with this type of gift card.
As someone else mentioned, you don't have to wait for Teacher Appreciation week to do something like this. Christmas, Easter/Spring Break, end-of-year, do you know the teacher's birthday? Anniversary?

By

whatzit

Having been a teacher for nearly 40 years, perhaps I can add a comment. One of the nicest gifts I got was during parent conferences. I found a bag on my desk with a bottle of water, a candy bar, a microwave popcorn pack and a few other small items. Anything of a practical nature, some sticky notes, a box of tissues, healthy snacks for when children forget a snack or just can not afford to bring one, a package of pencils, erasers, a thumb drive.

One year a parent bought extra books each month from the book order for me to give to a child who did not order a book. The parent did not know how many did not order, so I made sure I ordered enough books with my extra points so that every child got a book. The ones I would order were usually ones that were less points, so I could stretch mine as far as they would go. I put all the extra books on the table for the children who did not order to come and pick one. I put a note on a label and put it in the front of the book, so the parents knew the child did not take the book, but that it was a gift.

There are any number of ways to show your appreciation that do not involve a lot of money, but let the teacher know you appreciate all of her efforts. Practical beats out fancy! Your effort says a great deal. It does not have to be just during Teacher Appreciation Week. Sometimes it is better on the spur of the moment, a muffin you made wrapped in colored cling wrap with a ribbon.

By

louel53

Of course, not all teachers like the same things, but I always liked chocolates or fancy pens. I did like things with an apple motif. It is good to give things that get used up, but you have to know what your teacher likes. I think flowers would be very nice, and I can't think of anyone who doesn't like them. One of the most thoughtful gifts I got was a mug with the class picture printed on it. A plant for the classroom or home might be nice, too. Mugs are usually good -- world's best teacher, and so on, as everyone needs one at work, and often they get broken, so a replacement is needed. See if your child knows something about what the teacher likes, a teacher with a pet cat might like some kind of cat ornament, for example. One who is into gardening might like something for her yard. Be sure to let your kid make, or write on the card, and it is nice if the kid has input on the gift. One of my students gave me a whistle for my key chain, which was meaningful to me, as I had told them a story about my grandpa and whistles. I knew the student had told about this at home and this was how they knew I would like this gift.

By

kcdt4968

My daughter-in-law said that her and friends at school enjoy getting a gift certificate to a restaurant. They don't always get to go out much and that's a real treat for them. She's overloaded with lotions and bath products.

By

Lilac

I always get items that can be used up. Teachers accumulate many items from students year after year. A really nice hand lotion ot bath powder is good. Also exotic chocolates or candies.

By

austinla

I'm a teacher. One of the few teacher appreciation gifts I still have is a note from a student that said, "If I could give my teacher anything in the world, I would give her..." and then the child filled in what she thought I would like and drew a picture of it. She was right on target, and I was completely touched. It was on the fridge until it started to fade, and now it's in my keepsake box.

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week at my son's school. I would like to hear from some teachers about some gifts they have received that they really appreciated...