Teachers receive lots of lovely gifts for Christmas, Teacher Appreciation Day or at the end of the year. Lots of times it’s things like bath and body products, socks, or a water bottle. Why not put a little extra thought into it – you have plenty of time Teacher Appreciation Week is May 1 – 5, 2017 – and give your child’s teacher something she will really enjoy.
The first order of business is to get to know your teacher. This can be a challenge if you have several children but there are several places online where you can download a “Get to Know Me” questionnaire. But you can also get to know her during parent teacher conference (what is or isn’t in the classroom when you visit?), by asking your kids about her (what does she drink during the day?) or by helping out in the classroom if you are able.
Now that you know the teacher a little better you can plan to gift her with something that is more useful to her. Is she a big coffee drinker? Maybe you can get a mug and a gift card to her favorite coffee place or surprise her by dropping a coffee and a snack off at the school.
Is she saving for a big-ish purchase like a food processor or an Instant Pot? Get together with several, or all, of the parents, and take up a collection to purchase a larger gift.
How about the wine loving teacher? We love this Sangria gift idea.
Many people don’t realize that teachers spend a good deal of their own money to supply the classroom. Why not give him a tumbler full of classroom supplies to see him through the end of the year? A basket with dry erase markers, pencils, Sharpie markers in fun colors, tissue or even a ream of paper.
Even if you are on a tight budget (who isn’t?) you can find out what your child’s teacher likes to drink and gift her a soft drink, soda or pop (whatever you call it in your area) with a cute tag.
Besides teaching teachers do a lot of schlepping. Books, papers, supplies. To the car, the house and back to the car and the classroom. A totally awesome tote bag would be a totally useful gift to help with all of this.
And don’t forget, teachers like to eat too. How about a gift card to a favorite restaurant or a month subscription to a site like Blue Apron. Either one will make her evening easier after a long day at school.
How do YOU show appreciation to your child’s teacher? What gifts have you given that went over really well?
