Christmas Shopping: Gifts for Your Child's Teacher

'Tis the season and Christmas shopping is probably one of your top priorities. You have lots of people to shop for, not discounting your child's teacher. How can you decide what to select for a teacher? The following ideas for thoughtful gifts will help you make your child's teacher feel appreciated.

Christmas Themed Mug Filled with Treats
Christmas themed mugs can be purchased inexpensively at your local super center. They usually cost one dollar or less, so this is the perfect gift if your child has more than one teacher. Fill the mug with packets of flavored instant coffee, herb tea, hot cocoa, individual packages of cookies, and assorted flavors of candy canes. Write the teacher's name across the bottom of the mug with permanent marker and wrap in cellophane. Decorate with pretty ribbons or a bow. The teacher will appreciate the snacks during his or her next break!

Good Books
Casually bring up the subject of favorite books the next time you talk to your child's teacher. If he or she enjoys a good mystery, you'll know exactly what type of book to select. You can also find great gift sets of books by popular authors. If the teacher mentions a specific author, a boxed set of that author's works would make a great gift. An anthology, such as "Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul," would also make a nice gift.

Class Photo Signed by Kids
Purchase a trendy picture frame with an extra large matting that leaves room for autographs and comes complete with marking pen. Display the class photo and have all the children sign the matting. Make sure to write the year in one corner.

Personal Organizers
A pocket day planner or a desk organizer makes a handy gift and there are plenty of high quality varieties available. Desktop calendars, the ones where the page for each day flips over, are also a nice idea. Choose an inspirational theme or one that offers a cute joke for each day.

Stationary
Giving a teacher a nice stationary set, especially a personalized set, is a thoughtful gift. You might even include an attractive pen set and postage stamps in the package. Also, consider giving the teacher a leather bound journal.

Lottery Tickets
Teachers don't make a lot of money and a nice little windfall, or the chance to win one, makes a fun gift. If lottery tickets are legal in your area, slip five or ten into a Christmas card and the teacher is sure to smile when he or she opens it.

Gift Certificates
A gift certificate to the local office supply or school supply store is a good idea, as our gift certificates and shopping cards to local shops. Most teachers will also appreciate "funny money" that allows them to purchase food at fast food restaurants on their lunch breaks.

Try these great ideas or just use them for inspiration to come up with ideas of your own for others you want to give gifts to, such as the bus driver, your mail carrier, or the package delivery person.