Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Holiday Gifts for Teachers


The holidays are a lovely opportunity for parents to spread a little joy and give thanks to the teachers who make such a huge impact upon the lives of our children. But there are some challenges here: we parents don’t necessarily know our childrens' teachers very well outside of the classroom, and our children's gift-giving judgment may not be fully on target…what to do?

I surveyed a cross-section of teachers on this topic, and came up with some interesting input that may be helpful this holiday season:

What are teachers’ favorite holiday gifts?

The most appreciated gifts are the personal ones:
  • A note of gratitude written by the student and/or the parents

  • A creative gift handmade by the child with the teacher in mind

  • Something coordinated by the entire class

  • Support for the teacher’s passion: a donation to an animal shelter for an animal lover, or a gift to a homeless shelter where the teacher regularly volunteers, or a pledge to the school’s annual fund in his/her name

  • A special gift related to the teacher's curriculum

  • Yummy homemade edibles (especially those that don't need to be eaten right away)

  • For a teacher/homeowner: an apple tree to plant in honor of his/her students
Gift cards! Classier than cash, but potentially oh-so-useful…favorites are:
  • Local malls or American Express/Visa cards that they can spend virtually anywhere.

  • Locally-owned stores (book stores, smoothie spots, restaurants, hardware stores, etc.)

  • Nearby chain stores (Macy’s, Borders, Target, OSH, Home Depot)

  • Movie theater passes

  • Teacher supply stores

  • Gift certificates for manicures, pedicure or massages
Think about the recipient...coffee shop gift cards are nice only if the teacher is a coffee-drinker (I know of one teacher who has more than $200 in Starbucks gift cards – and he doesn’t drink coffee). A hardware store gift certificate is perfect for the teacher who just bought a new home. Do your detective work (chances are your child can be a very good spy for you)!


Thanks -- but no thanks...
  • Holiday decorations (aka “dust catchers”)

  • “Best teacher” mugs…or any mugs at all, really. Teachers typically don’t have a lot of time to drink coffee on the job, and they only need one cup to hold their pencils...

  • Teacher trinkets, period. Any teacher who has been on the job for more than a year really doesn’t need any more tchotchkes featuring cheerful apples or frolicking chalkboards.

  • Candles, soap, lotion. Bear in mind that a teacher can be receiving 20+ gifts at a time...how many of these gift shop items does one person really need? If you find something you know the teacher will love, then lovely. Otherwise, keep looking.

  • Useless gift cards: Please avoid something for an out-of-town store or a tiny amount at a high-end store (“$10 at Saks Fifth Avenue? Kind of humiliating…”)

  • Inappropriate gifts part 1: Think about whom the gift-giver is…how is a middle school teacher supposed to thank a 7th grade boy for bubble bath or a bottle of champagne?

  • Inappropriate gifts part 2: It is sweet to give your young ‘un the independence to pick out a gift for teacher, but it is also your responsibility to draw the line when he/she chooses a tacky reindeer statue from Costco or a half-empty bottle of perfume off your dresser.
Bottom line: hard-working teachers greatly appreciate your sincere and thoughtful gestures of thanks and goodwill for the holiday season!

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