Perfectly Charming: the Charm Bracelet

The charm bracelet has been called “a feminine autobiography on a chain.” I would agree – and go further to call it a living keepsake … totemic bling …a conversation starter … and a really good group gift.

Just a few years ago (or so it seems), the families from my son’s kindergarten class coordinated to give the teacher a silver charm bracelet at the end of the school year. Each student contributed a charm that symbolized:

(a) something distinctive about the gifter's personality or interests (an obsession with sharks, perhaps) or

(b) something the gifter identified with the giftee (hey! She wears shoes!) and/or

(c) a moment or experience they shared together (a field trip to the pumpkin patch, a study unit on Johnny Appleseed, whatever).

The gift was popular, personal, inclusive, and didn’t cost a lot. A home run.

A charm bracelet makes a good group gift for many milestone events -- think birthdays, retirements, engagement parties or graduations. When I turned 40, my friends put together a bracelet that is a perfect little chain-full of memories – it reminds me of my friends, of that specific birthday, and of the fun times we’ve shared. I don’t wear it often, but it is a totem of my history that I absolutely treasure.

You can find sterling silver charms at fine jewelry stores, cheesy tourist traps, and lots of places in between. There are potentially good sources online at TomsCharms.com, CharmFactory.com and SilverFantasy.com. EBay is always a possibility too.

In a 2004 NPR interview with "Charmed Bracelets" author Tracey Zabar, we are reminded that "'To charm' also means to attract, and these bracelets do exactly that. They draw the eye to one's wrist, where a compelling tale unfolds. And if modern-day charms don't cast spells in the ancient sense, they do contain a powerful force: memory, in the form of personal history."

~

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!