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Great Gifts For Teachers
Published 05.20.2008 | Permanent Link | Comments (4)
In just a few short weeks school will be over for the year. If you've been reading The Buzz Off for any length of time you understand why there is a black X on my calendar marking the last day of school. Still, even though I wish our school went year round, the end of the year is a nice time to say Thank You to the kid's teachers.
Last year I shared some nice ideas for Teacher Appreciation week you could use as an End-Of-The-Year-Gift for your favorite teacher. I have a few more to add this year.
My brother is a staunch believer that Gift Cards are cop-out presents. But sometimes, like when you're buying things for a teacher you don't really know personally, it's not a bad idea. It seems all teachers spend their own money on supplies and fun things for the classroom. A gift card to a teacher supply store is perfect.
It seems like classrooms can never have enough books or games, especially if your teacher is just starting out. If you can collect a set of books even better. Here's a great Listmania List of Classroom Library Books.
My favorite 'crafty' teacher's gift for this year is this cute book dart made from Shrinky Dinks. I shared a shrink plastic craft for the holidays last year and this is along the same lines. You can find a PDF template here and can easily create a set of page markers for your teacher.
Whatever you decide to share with your teacher, remember a heartfelt note of thanks expressing how your child's teacher has helped shape him is a truly appreciated gift. However, resist the urge to beg her to create a summer school program. I learned that the hard way.
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About
Melissa Summers was one of five Melissa's throughout her schooling, in her everyday life she is the only Melissa who folds laundry. The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word for Honeybee. The Buzz Off is published weekly on Tuesdays. She writes almost nearly everyday at Suburban Bliss.
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Comments (4):
Erin said:
My mother, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law are all teachers, so I consider myself somewhat an expert on teacher gifts. Teachers LOVE gift cards . . . particularly for non-teaching related stores as it lets them treat themselves to something that doesn't remind them of the classroom.
And please, don't give ANYTHING with an apple on it . . . you would not believe how fast that gets old.
Posted on May 21, 2008 12:24
ohkwarimama said:
My husband is a teacher, and so after seeing the assortment of gifts at the end of the year, and hearing his comments on said gifts....
If you are going to give a gift card, it should be for a NON-teaching related store, and somewhere nice and neutral... a bookstore is the best, and it should be for at least $10. If you want to spend no more than 5, don't get a gift card.
Honestly my husband appreciates the cards the most, and if there are some cookies with it even better. Teachers do not expect parents to spend lots of money on them- but they end up throwing out much of the weird junky things they get, so keep it simple and ask yourself- is it really something you'd want to hold onto? Remember, teachers often have as many as 80 student or more per year, that's a lot of little bits of stuff over the years.
Did i mention an inexpensive bottle of wine might be the most appreciated at year's end? Also, many parents only give a gift to their child's homeroom teacher or favorite teacher.
Posted on May 21, 2008 16:22
Kate said:
I'm a teacher! I second all of the things the first two commenters said (wow, bottle of wine would be great :-) ) with the exception that a $5 Starbucks card is always a much appreciated gift.
Posted on May 22, 2008 17:54
Inventing Matilda said:
Everyone remembers a time when they were a child and saw their teacher outside of school. *gasp* My teacher has a life? My teacher has children? My teacher shops at the grocery store??
I totally agree with the gift card idea or nice, homemade treats and for the same reason you wouldn't give your doctor scrubs as a thank you, be sure you find something non-teacher related because, after all, your child's teacher doesn't really live in the school and only think about teaching 24/7/365.
-Inventing Matilda
Posted on May 23, 2008 16:59