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!