Need gifts for teachers? As I’ve been married to a teacher for several years, I feel I have a wee bit of wisdom to impart on the subject. A few guidelines:
1. Teachers expect nothing at all from their students. Honestly. You mustn’t ever feel obligated to purchase something for your child’s teacher. It’s a kind gesture to be sure, but absolutely unnecessary. On the flip side, costly gifts from individual students are rather taboo.
2. Sincerely written notes and letters–from students and/or parents–are the bomb. They are also the most infrequently received kind of gift.
3. Sweets–whether purchased or home-made–are thoughtful, and you may have the very best froot-loops/pretzels/marshmallow treat mix in town, but keep in mind the 25 other kids gifting the same thing. One teacher simply cannot enjoy 3 dozen giant candy bars. Same goes for mugs. That said, here are some practical yet fun suggestions for the teachers on your list:
* Personal luxuries for the desk, like hand cream, alcohol gel, spare gloves for chilly bus-duty mornings and recess
* Stationery items like bookplates, notecards, rubber stamps or fun stickers
* Unexpected at-your-leisure edibles like that pancake or brownie mix or granola from your favorite bakery
Burts Bees, gender-neutral and available everywhere
Lehi Mills Pecan Pie Bars
If none of these options inspire, practical gift cards are always good, whether for a coffee shop or deli near the school, a local office supply store or the movies. Also, see numbers 1 and 2 above.
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Kimberly
...by day, making a home where the buffalo roam. By night, pretty much the same thing, punctuated by the occasional fantasies of sunny beaches, italian movies and sparkling lemonade.
Oh thank you for this! I never know what to do for P’s teachers, and they’re the ones I appreciate most in her life. Go B! Way to be a teacher.
As a former teacher, I beg you – no apples!!!
My daughter is a teacher. She does appreciate the time that each family puts into whatever they give her. While food gifts are thougtful, with so many parties and such going on, she ends up having to throw out a lot of it before it can be used. I love the suggestion of gift cards to book stores, coffee shops, even to fast food restraunts. Those can be used long after the holidays are over. Forget the gifts with “apples” on them. Teachers have those coming out their ears.
Teachers work long hours, long after the last bell has rung. I know my daughter gives up many evenings to go support her students at games and concerts. Notes of thanks all year long are appreciated.
Thank you to all the teachers out there for all you do.
I give gift certificates to a wonderful caterer who does frozen casseroles that you can drive by and pick up. I am sure that teachers have more nights than they can count where they do not feel like cooking dinner! Also, a more budget friendly version of this is to prepare an extra casserole next time you cook your family’s dinner. Freeze it and deliver it to your teachers with cooking directions so that they can stick it in their freezer until they have a day when they need it.
All of these are great ideas! I’ve been a teacher for 8 years now and I’d like to add to your list of do’s and don’t’s:
DON’T: mugs (we have tons of them already), scented lotions (every person has favorites and it’s 1 in 1,000 that you’ll actually pick the right one), stuffed animals, and home decorations (students never know their teacher’s decorating styles).
DO: Personalized ornaments (I have a little tree dedicated to them at home!), GIFT CARDS (always a winner), sees chocolates or a gift certificate there, and I totally agree with the sweet cards with personal sentiments from the student.
In all, teachers appreciate gifts no matter what and will be happy to receive your generosity.