ALT-1 Good Gifts for Teachers
Teaching is a tough job. A good teacher deserves to be commended, praised, and respected. Any time is a great time to show your or your child's teacher just how much he or she is appreciated with a small gift. Your love token will mean the world to a frustrated, discouraged teacher.
Most of us associate gifts with the holiday season, but you can give them anytime. Teacher's birthday, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, and last day-of-school or high school graduation are other appropriate times.
Know the teacher. Get your child to try to figure out what he or she likes by asking or by thinking about what she/he talks about on weekends or holidays. Maybe teacher would appreciate a treat, toy, or gift certificate for his/her pet instead of himself or herself. Possibly an offer to help walk or care for the pets or kids would help the teacher take a much needed vacation.
Maybe the teacher's house could use extra cleaning... did someone say "EXTRA CREDIT"? Ha. Ha. Just kidding. School supplies like extra pencils or craft paper are nice because they save the teacher from having to pay for them themselves. Save extra toilet paper tubes and paper boxes in a big bag for the teacher to dip into for crafts.
If you have the time, come in and volunteer to help in the classroom. Offer to be a lunch monitor, so the teacher can actually eat lunch away from her students.Help with crafts, be a volunteer driver on class outings, sweep and clean the classroom.
Other ways to help teacher relax so she/he doesn't take out her/his stress on the innocent? students would be nice soaps and lotions, or herbal teas. Invite the whole class to contribute towards a large gift certificate to the teacher's favorite way to relax. Ideas might include spa certificates, travel vouchers, or a season pass at a ski resort.
A nice low maintenance plant makes a pleasant, green reminder of your esteem. A copy of "Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul" gives your teacher the warm fuzzies and inspiration.
If you get along well with the teacher, perhaps he/she would like to eat a meal or at least do coffee with you and/or your child- at your expense and preferably at your house. Depending on age, Junior could help you clean said house and maybe set the table and help cook the meal. You could even give a donation to teacher's favorite charity in his/her name. This last one would be especially nice for a teacher who is retiring.
From the Sappy Student:
Get or make an ornament for the teacher to hang on his/her Christmas tree. You can't go wrong with something in the form of an apple saying #1 Teacher, 2010.
Other gifts that go over well include chocolates, your teacher's favorite food, sentimental gifts like a nice mug (maybe with hot chocolate packets in it) or a nice photo of something fun the class did together to evoke memories.
Finally, a gift that costs nothing but a little time and stationary. With your child, write a short personal note. Tell the teacher about the specific things you appreciate about him or her.
