Christmas Gifts for Teachers

As a retired teacher, I want to offer a bit of advice on holiday gifts for teachers. Gifts are never required, of course, but what no teacher needs are things with apples printed on them, or things that state "teachers are....".

Some of the gifts that stand out in my mind:

• Offers of time or help from a parent; i.e. grading some papers that I could send home with their child, or an offer from a parent with specific skills to teach this skill to my class.
  

• A plastic container full of homemade chocolate chip cookies given at a time OTHER than the holidays.
  

• Gift card for office or school supplies, or books or games for the class. We usually spend many of our own dollars for these things every year).
  

• Gift cards to places like Starbucks or a fast food place near school.
  

• An offer to bring in lunch on a date to be agreed on after the holidays.

I even had a parent offer to take me out to a really nice lunch during my birthday month. Another parent invited me a to a dinner of homemade pizza. Not every teacher has an "away from school" relationship with families but for those of us who do, these gifts were memorable. It really is the thought that counts but please do give it some thought! And never, ever bring the class a PET without asking first!