What Should I Get My Child’s Teacher? TWO IDEAS THAT NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE
It’s that time of year again! Almost daily I see posts on social media from parents asking for some ideas to give their child’s teacher.
Here are 2 gift ideas that NEVER go out of style:
1. A Sincere Note of Thanks
A handwritten note from you or your child (or both) describing the appreciation you have for the teacher is lasting and easy to store. I always kept a file in my desk just for these special notes. On a tough day, I could pull them out and reread them and know that my hard work was not in vain. Be sure to include specifics of what the teacher does that you like and appreciate. You can even include a picture your child has drawn.
2. Gift Cards
I’ve yet to meet a teacher who does not like gift cards. Many times, I enjoyed my holiday break by enjoying a meal out sponsored by one of my students’ families. However, a gift card does not even have to be an expensive one! A $5 gift card to a coffeeshop still shows that you care. If your child is determined to buy the teacher a small token just to see them open the gift, that is fine. Just remember, that if you don’t know the teacher personally you might not be sure of all their likes or dislikes. A gift card is a safe way to go.
Are you connected with other parents in the class? Send an email and go in together for a larger gift card? One year my class gave me a gift card to spend anywhere at the mall that was for a larger amount.
Gift cards don’t have to be for restaurants or even expensive places. One year I bought my son’s teacher a gift card for a dollar store. She wrote me a note back and said it was one of her favorite places to shop! I knew, of course, she could buy things for her class there, and the gift card could offset the cost.
BONUS TIPS
BONUS TIP #1: What if your child has more than 1 teacher?
Let’s say your child is in middle school. How do you afford to buy something for all the teachers?
First of all, middle school teachers DO NOT receive gifts from every student, nor do they expect it. You can choose to budget the money among all the teachers and get them all something small (a handwritten note and a tasty chocolate bar or small gift card).
A second option is to choose your child’s favorite teacher—or the teacher who has helped your child the most. Spend all the budgeted money just on that teacher. That is perfectly fair and acceptable if that teacher has gone out of the way to particularly help your child.
BONUS TIP #2: THE RULE OF 20: Would My Child’s Teacher Like 20 of the Same Gift?
There are some repeated gifts that teachers get. A few that come to mind for female teachers are coffee cups, scented lotions, and small jewelry—even Christmas ornaments or decorations. My dad, as a male teacher, received lots of ties (some are tackier than others) and ink pens.
Before you spend your money, ask, “What if everyone in the class gets the teacher this gift?”
If it’s a note of thanks and a gift card, then I’d say the teacher would be fine with getting 20 or more. If it’s a coffee mug or tie or scented lotion, probably not….
DISCLAIMER: As a teacher, I appreciated each and every gift my students gave me. If it was an ornament, I hung it on my tree. If it was a bracelet, I wore it. If it was gourmet cookie mix, I made cookies. It really is the thought that counts. When you see the question asked online, share this blog post with a friend.
Watch my YOUTUBE video on TEACHER GIFTS!