Teacher Gifts Part II

Last year around this time I wrote a blog entry about teacher gifts.  Being a teacher we always receive the same things and of course we know we are hard to buy for.  We look forward to the gifts every year.  It makes us feel loved and appreciated in a profession that does not always make us feel that way.

Last year I stated some do's and don'ts which you can read from the above link.  This year I decided to do an Oprah's style favorite things.  These gifts can be used by all and are not necessarily just for teachers.

1. Personalized Stationary - I write so many letters and get just giddy about having personalized stationary. I recently ordered this pattern from Paper Culture.  The cards are on a heavy stock and come so quickly.  For every order they pledge to plant a tree.  Makes me want to order lots more.

2. Reusable Shopping Bags - I know, it sounds like Envirosax is paying me, but I can't get enough of them.  I have 3 regular sax, a sling sax, and a mini sax (I use as a lunch bag).  They weigh about an ounce and can be easily carried every where.  They are sturdy and can hold about 44 pounds, not that you want to carry that much.  I have even gotten the tiniest hole in my original bag and it is still the size of a pin point years later.  Everyone I have given one to has adored them as much as me.

3. Personalized Stamps - I was given a gift certificate to the Three Designing Women website.  I ordered the stamp featured on the side with "This Book Belongs To  ......" instead of the address.  I am actually thinking of ordering an address stamps and a monogram version to use on stationary.  This company offers interchangeable stamps and stationary that is made to have a stamp used with it.  I just love personalization.


Enjoy!

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.  

Back to School

So I am back from Italy and have much to share, but all that is on my mind is SCHOOL.  

What most people don't know is teachers are just as nervous as the children.  We start thinking about classroom set-up, supplies and the kids in the first week in August.  No matter when we can start setting up, we never feel that there is enough time.  There is always some sort of work that is done over the summer and we start almost from scratch every year.

We don't say I have work tomorrow, we say I have school tomorrow.  Therefore we suffer from the first day jitters every year.  Imagine having new co-workers (parents) and clients (the students) every year, and you might begin to see where the stress comes from.

So. . . . .If you know a teacher offer to give them a hand in anyway you can.  It will be appreciated as more than you can imagine.