Teacher Gifts

Ok, so it is that time again and I don't want to sound like an ungrateful teacher but I might lose it if I get another mug and/or tote bag.  I know that it can be hard to come up with teacher gifts so I am going to give you a few do's and don'ts for the best teacher gifts.  Well in my humble opinion, anyway.

1. Don't give mugs or tote bags.  You may think they are cute and that we can use them.  We use the numerous mugs to hold pencils, markers, paintbrushes, etc.  There are only so many you can use.  The same with the totes, unless they are like the Envirosax in my earlier posts please think again.

2. Don't give flavored coffee, regular coffee or tea unless you know what the person drinks.  I am a tea drinker only and when I get coffee I have to re-gift it.  Even coffee can be an issue, if it is ground it might not be right for the teacher's machine at home.  Whole bean could be problematic if they don't have a grinder.  Do give a gift card to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, you can always find something with those.

3. Don't give perfume or heavily scented body products, unless you know the teacher's signature scent.  I have two perfumes I have never used.  Do give lightly scented hand sanitizers and hand creams.

4. Don't give bank gift cards.   Believe it or not if you do not use the entire amount the first time, you may not be able to use the rest unless you contact the company.  You always have to know exactly what is on it.  You can give cash.

5. Don't give chocolates unless you know the teacher is a chocoholic.  We get so many boxes that we would go into sugar shock if we attempted to eat them all.  Not to mention if the teacher is diabetic they can't even partake.

That sounds like a lot of don'ts but, I promise there are some good do's coming up.

1. Do give stationary.  We go through so much stationary.  Thank yous and blank cards are perfect.  If you can get the stationary personalized even better.  I love the personalized stationary I have, and use it all the time

2. Do give monogrammed post-its.  We use post-its on everything.  Post-it makes letter stationary in various different sizes.

3. Do give gifts cards.

• Target is always a winner since you can get anything.
• Barnes & Noble carries books, dvds and cds
• Teacher stores (find them locally)
• Scholastic gift cards
• Staples are always useful when we run out of classroom supplies and are purchasing out of our pockets.
• Local restaurants the teachers frequent.
• Shops you know they frequent.  Two parents were very in tune with my clothes and accessories and got me gift cards to my favorite stores.  If you are very attentive you can make a teacher's day by getting that thoughtful gift card.

4. Do give cash, it is always good.

5. Do make sure to include a thoughtful card or letter explaining your appreciation and/or the growth you have seen in your child.  Those are the things we keep and cherish.

The best and most inexpensive gift you can give a teacher is a letter to their principal or district explaining what a great job they are doing.  Those letters actually get put in a file and are considered for tenure and teacher of the year awards.  Make sure you send the teacher a copy.  These mean the world to us.

Teaching is all about giving everything to the children you are teaching, so above all make sure the teacher knows you appreciate them.