Show Teacher Appreciation with These Thankful Gift Ideas

Show Teacher Appreciation with These Thankful Gift Ideas

The following is a guest post from momAgendaCOMM blogger Leticia Barr.

This holiday season show the teachers in your lives how thankful you are for their endless devotion to your child’s education. As a former teacher, I always appreciated thoughtful and useful gifts from the families I worked with through the years that don’t need to cost a lot of money.  Every teacher has favorite gifts to receive and thoughtful parents can pool their knowledge and resources to give fantastic gifts.

If you’re stumped on what to give, here are some of my favorites to give whether giving individually or part of a larger gift from the class:

  • Personalized products.  Personalized items such as note cards, pencils, and labels provide an extra special touch while also ensuring that items stay put. Personalized pencils ensure that they stay on their desk instead of getting scooped up by students while Mabel’s Labels affixed to other items help tape, scissors, and favorite markers from wandering from classroom to classroom. If you have multiple teachers you’re giving gifts to, consider the Mabel’s Labels Loot Bag Combo that features 6 sets of labels and a bag tag for $30.
  • Gifts to keep them warm. Teachers spend lots of time outdoors between recess and bus duty. A cozy hat, scarf, gloves, or mittens in their favorite color from a place like Land’s End will always be put to good use.
  • Upgrades of favorite items. If you notice that your teacher is always carrying around a water bottle, insulated mug, or takes lunch to school, there’s a good chance that a new one will be appreciated. Pay close attention to the current style that they own and get a similar one. My favorite lunch bag was one by Built NY. Not only do I still appreciate its durability and cheery print today, but the neoprene did a great job of keeping my food cold when our staff room fridge was full.

If your class likes to pool funds to purchase your teacher a larger gift, here are some suggestions:

  • Consider a gift card. With SpaFinder, it’s easy to find a location and treatment so your teacher can book some much needed R&R at their convenience.
  • Date night outing. Find out a favorite restaurant and give a gift certificate from the class along with movie tickets for a fun outing over winter break. Not sure what kind of food your teacher loves? You can’t go wrong with a Restaurant.com gift certificate or one for Takeout Taxi for the nights that delivery hits the spot.
  • Gift card to the local mall or Amex gift card. Every teacher has their personal wish list so why not help them get the things they really want this year! Teachers are always so appreciative of extra spending money, especially around the holidays.

What things should you avoid giving this year? Mugs, ornaments with “best teacher” or “#1 teacher,” and if your teacher is watching her weight, chocolates and baked goods might not be as appreciated as you think!

Leticia Barr is the Founder of Tech Savvy Mama, a site that assists parents in navigating the ever-changing world of technology.

Connect with Leticia on Twitter and Facebook.