It's that time of year to celebrate the teachers in the life of your child. But there’s a secret that most teachers will not share with the public: teachers abhor "#1 BEST TEACHER" mugs and magnets. Most teachers do not want to advertise their success on their refrigerator or morning coffee cup. But do not fret! The perfect gifts are out there to truly honor the lives of those educators dedicated to your children.
Gift Cards & Certificates
Teachers buy items to use in the classroom, so why not help them out? Give them a $20+ gift card to stores like Target, Walmart, Staples, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.com. Gift certificates to local restaurants, movie theatres, and salons will also help them destress.
If you have a tight budget, a $5.00 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card combined with the last gift below would make any teacher’s year.
Themed Baskets
Personalized baskets can be made to suit the teacher. Stress relief baskets are the most popular—simply fill with a scented candle, lotion, chocolate, and stress ball. Another favorite is a classroom supply basket filled with teacher necessities, such as sticky notes, pens, dry erase markers, stickers, hand sanitizer, and/or tissues. You can also create a sports-themed basket if you know a teacher’s favorite team. If you have many teachers to honor, however, baskets will be too bulky for your child to deliver.
Flowers & Plants
Send a potted plant to add life to a teacher’s classroom. Avoid sending cut flowers since they will not last as long. A sturdy plant, such as ivy, will thrive in a classroom regardless of light conditions.
Edible Arrangements & Food
Edible arrangements are now climbing in popularity as an alternative to sending flowers.
Or, you can bake muffins, cookies, fudge, or homemade candy. If you are not the Martha Stewart-type, seek a local gourmet shop or bakery for pure decadence. Dark chocolate does relieve stress, after all.
Classroom Supplies
Often teachers have lists of needed supplies available for parents. Some even have wish lists, such as particular classroom books, large paper, calculators, and/or paint. Ask! A kindergarten teacher would love to suddenly get a bulk supply of paper towels with an anonymous note of thanks dropped off at his or her classroom door.
Magazine Subscriptions
A magazine subscription is a wonderful gift that continues to give throughout the year. You can now purchase a magazine Giftscription at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com, which allows the teacher to pick from 50 different magazines.
Stationery or Journal
Teachers tend to write many thank you notes. Beautiful, professional stationery is always a welcomed gift.
Teaching is also a reflective, difficult profession, and a blank journal would show respect for a teacher's feelings and needs. Choose a journal that inspires and/or reflects the teacher’s interests.
Donations
Donate to a non-profit organization in a teacher’s name. Most organizations will send an acknowledgement to that teacher. Be sure to choose a cause that the teacher would appreciate, such as Reading is Fundamental.
Subject-Related Gag Gifts
Laughter is the best medicine, especially for stress, so send the gift of gag. Buy a science teacher an Einstein tie. Buy a history buff a Marie Antoinette head-on-a-stick lollipop. See Shakespeare's Den for many more hilarious and thoughtful gift ideas.
Be sure to avoid embarrassing gifts. Sometimes teachers open gifts in front of students, so please make it school-appropriate.
Student-Written Thank You Notes
Last, but often overlooked, there is no greater gift than the written words of gratitude. Have your child handwrite a message listing specific reasons he or she is thankful for that teacher. Guaranteed this note will become a teacher’s keepsake for years to come.
