Hi everyone, I know this is a question that comes up often, but I'm looking for a creative and thoughtful year-end gift for my son's first grade teacher. She has been wonderful with my son, and I'd really like to come up with something that shows how much I appreciate her efforts on his behalf. I will participate in contributing to the group gift card from the class, but would still like to do something extra. She has been with the school district a long time, is married, and her children are grown. Thanks in advance for your ideas :-).
I know there are people out there that think giving cash is lazy or lacks a personal touch, but it's greatly appreciated. I'm a room mother and my son's teachers LOVED it. They're able to buy whatever they want (supplies, a nice dinner, rent/morgage, spa treatment, etc.).
If you want to add a personal touch, write a note.
My grandmother was a teacher for 45 years, and my mom taught for 20+ years, and I have a few cousins who are teachers also. This subject comes up often at family events, as you might imagine. What I can tell you is that you should not buy anything she has a million of already (anything that says "#1 teacher" on it is a no-no!). Likewise, framing a picture of your child is not the way to go either, because long-time teachers have about a million of those already, too, and most teachers do not live in homes large enough where they could actually display 45 years worth of pictures of children. ;)
The types of things that teachers love could be something quirky that they can use in the classroom - for instance, a child once gave my grandmother a brass figurine of a crab, because my grandmother would tell the kids, "If you don't turn your homework in, it's going to make me crabby!" So from then on, she used the crab as a paperweight for her homework in-box. She still has it on her coffee table at home now that she's been retired for 10 years.
My mom is an avid gardener, and she once had a child make her a stepping stone for her garden. He used mosaic tiles. It was very pretty, and even when she moved 2 states away, she dug up the stepping stone and took it with her.
My cousin teaches kindergarten, and her favorite teacher gift was a t-shirt that had "Mrs. Stone's Kindergarten Rocks!" on it in rhinestones. (She loves bling!) She wears it all the time.
So if you can, have your son think of the things his teacher has mentioned that she likes. Maybe she likes to cook, or sew, or she's a baseball fan, or whatever. It could be as simple and inexpensive as a nice potted plant, or a heartfelt card/letter.
Both my kids are in school.
For EVERY teacher they have had, they were given, (via a group gift from the class), a Camera. Gotten from Costco. Those sure shot types.
The Teachers, have ALWAYS.... really loved it. And almost cried.
Because, they don't have an in class camera to use, for their class and per projects/field trips/special occasions etc.
Another thing that the Teachers have ALWAYS loved to get, is an oscillating tower fan. Those don't take up much room, but it is needed in a classroom.
Those are the 2 gifts, that all of my kids' Teachers, have LOVED.
That and a group photo, of their class. Or a bunch of photos. And then put in a cute homemade album.
But the KEY thing also: is to HAND write, a card, for the Teacher. Telling her how much you/the family/your child, has appreciated everything she has done. Not a generic "thanks" card. But a heartfelt written card.
In my son's class, his Teacher was given a bookshelf. Made by one of the student's Dad. She badly needed a bookshelf.
As you know, many Teachers use their own money, to buy things for their kids and classroom. Things like cameras, fans, and bookshelves, are often not on their budget. And it is very appreciated and will be used for many years. And it is more than just a dust-collector or another of many mugs that they get.
L.,
One of my children's teacher (a good friend now) told me that she sure appreciated when the parents would give her Barnes and Noble's gift cards because she could go and buy stuff for her students that otherwise would come out of her pocket because the school wouldn't pay for it.
If you know the teacher and if she likes coffee or tea, or if she goes to DD or Starbucks you can also get her a gift card from them; together with maybe a picture of your son :)
I'm with S.H. A handwritten card expressing your appreciation is what teachers really like. That and gift cards to their favorite places.
One of my best friends is a first grade teacher in her late 50s. She has enough "stuff" from kids in bins in her basement to start her own flea market. But what she really treasures are the heartfelt words of students and their parents.
For my son's teacher, we bought her a 50 dollar restaurant gift certificate. She is younger and seems VERY busy both with school and outside activities.. We figured, it would be fun for her to have a night out. It was a fitting gift since she and my son have discussed various foods they enjoy. Another time, I have purchased a department store gift card. I don't like to do school supplies as a gift (since those aren't solely for her) although, I have donated many.. Also, on occasion when I really feel that I have a good sense of the person, I have put together a gift basket.. In some cases, it might have been an Italian theme whereby I might add a bottle of wine, pasta, Italian chocolates... the whole gambit. whatever i can find Italian and of quality.. again, that is when I really know the person's taste..
The hand written thank you letter is the way to go, just write down how you feel. We always feel the need to "gift" to express our gratitude but often it is not necessary. Just write her a note commenting on all the things you feel she has done and complementing her as a person and a teacher. Teacher's appreciate being appreciated. A teacher once told me that the best gift we gave her was the knowledge of knowing how grateful we were for what she had done. It was simply worded as "I don't think that Thank You covers how I feel but Thank You from the bottom of my heart". That meant more to her than any gift, because teacher's are not always told what a good job they do and if she went above and beyond let her know that you noticed. You may also want to include a nice letter of gratitude to the principal about her so that it can be placed in her teaching file for future reference. :)
I made my 4th grade teacher a piece of art using the melted crayon shavings technique, where you lay out shavings on a think piece of paper in a design, then cover it with wax paper and lightly iron. About 5 years later, I visited my teacher who was then a principal. He had taken my little piece of art, had it framed and matted and hanging in his office! Teachers get tons of mugs and such, but a little piece of art or a thank you note is priceless. And, they can always throw it away later if they get too overloaded.
Also, gift cards to art/hobby/educational stores is an awesome gift.
Every yr, I ask the teacher what her favorite stores/hobbies are.
Then, I get the gift. Last year, I got the teacher a GC to her favorite restaurant.
At the Christmas party, she told me about a small restaurant she goes to once a month. So, it was perfect info. The class got her a general gift.
Updated
Every yr, I ask the teacher what her favorite stores/hobbies are.
Then, I get the gift. Last year, I got the teacher a GC to her favorite restaurant.
At the Christmas party, she told me about a small restaurant she goes to once a month. So, it was perfect info. The class got her a general gift.
Does your school district have an Education Foundation? Many times the education foundations have programs that let you make a donation in the teacher's honor and the teacher gets a nice card or certificate with your comments and a lot of recognition. Funds go to support grants in the district or other worthwhile causes. That is a great way to recognize a dedicated teacher who probably doesn't need another mug or notepads.
If you have a educational supply store a gift card for there would be great. I've gotten my kids teachers chocolates, antibac wipes, a pack of Thank you cards for my son's VPK teacher cause they always put out Thank you cards to parents for helping out in the class..............
Many teachers in the school where I work enjoy getting a book for the class library.
I normally go with supplies for the classroom, because they put out so much of their own money. This year, my son's teacher has been AMAZING and my daughter had to switch half way through because her other teacher was horrible...so I'd like to do something special for both of them.
I'm actually going to ask my younger son's babysitter what she would do because she is SO creative at gifts. I'll let yo know what she says :).
