Let’s face it—we all are guilty of it. We wait to the last minute or in this case the night before Christmas break to remember to buy a gift for our child’s teacher. You rush into the hectic stores only to grab the sappy “Thank God for Teachers" coffee mug filled with crappy candy marketed to those impulse buyers like you.
I had a teacher friend once tell me that a coffee mug is absolutely the worst gift you could give a teacher. I was completely in shock mainly because I had been guilty of giving so many mugs. She explained that just in the five years she had taught, every cabinet in her kitchen was filled with mugs from gifts. If only half the students taught gave the impulse buy mugs, I could see how in no time at all a teacher could quit teaching and go into the mug selling business. Maybe there is a market on eBay.
This year, why not remember the teacher in your life early and make this a Christmas that she will be awed by the amount of caring and thought that went into her present. So here are some holiday gift ideas to get started on now so that you are not rushing around buying what is left on the shelf.
Create a Gift of Favorites
One of my moms had me fill out a little sheet of questions at the beginning of the year. The sheet is designed to get to know more about me so that she has a better idea when it comes to gift ideas. It has questions like favorite color, favorite restaurant, favorite dessert, hobbies, favorite book or movie. This is a real simple thing to create and hand for your teacher to fill out. Keep it short. It gives her an idea for gift buying holidays as well as gives her something to talk to her child about so that she too has the opportunity to know the teacher better.
Give Your Time
I know it seems that you barely have time to think these days and every which way you turn, people are asking for more of your time. But teachers can really use the extra hands. They spend not only the time spent teaching your child, but most work after hours to come up with new and exciting plans to reach your child the next day. Teachers sometimes find themselves working 60 hours a week just trying to keep up with demands. Offer to come in an hour a week to help with anything. You might be amazed at how much of a gift this becomes for you as well.
Donate to the Class Library
So many times, people don’t realize the amount of money teachers spend in their classrooms. Most schools do not provide teachers with the resources your child loves. Sadly, a lot of teachers simply are not paid enough to buy all that they feel is necessary for the development of the children. One area often cut back on is the class library. This is a simple way to show you care. Buy a gift certificate to the local book store or just buy some age-appropriate books for the class.
Give the Gift of Relaxation
If money is not a concern for you this holiday season, splurge on a spa type gift. The best gift I have ever gotten from one of my students was a pedicure and manicure. I also had a student who had unlimited means give a massage as well.
Give a Night Out
Teachers do not just work the time your child is in school. I often hear people say they wish they taught to get off on all those holidays. The sad truth is that teachers probably work more than anyone you know. They are at school before and after for lesson planning, parent conferences, tutoring, etc. They spend their summers taking training workshops to learn better ways to reach your child. Their work is endless. So why not give them a night to get away from it all. Give a gift card to the movies or a restaurant.
Make it Personal
Teachers really do love kids. That is why they became teachers. So spend a day up at school taking pictures of the class. Then you can make a calendar for the teacher so she has pictures of her students. Kodak also offers photo books where your child’s teacher could have a permanent reminder of the year in hardback.
These are just a few ideas to get you started thinking. Get to know your child’s teacher and come up with a creative gift. If it is your child’s photography teacher, you might could just donate film. If it is a kindergarten teacher, you might donate toys for center times. Teachers have wish lists—just ask.
