The school year is drawing to a close, and although Princess is only in nursery school, I still feel like doing a little something for her teachers.
Every year around this time a thread seems to show up over on the Frugal Living Forums at About.com about teacher gifts. It seems like appreciation gifts have totally gotten out of hand, as have the number of recipients. In the last couple of years I’ve read posts about parents being asked to chip in $20 to a spa day for the teacher, and others giving gifts to every coach, busdriver, teacher, aide, etc that their kid comes into contact with (which could be a lot of people!) I’ve also seen several posts from teachers who say they have just boxes of apple themed coffee mugs and figurines etc.
Even if you are not on a fixed budget, there comes a point where trying to buy gifts for too many folks becomes an irritation and burden, rather than the true expression of appreciation it was initially meant to be. So what can you do?
#1-Write them a letter. To me this is the most meaningful thing, to actually sit down and take the time to write a specific letter to the person telling them how much you appreciated them. Be specific, so they know that this isn’t just some cookie cutter “gee, thanks so much” type thing. Mention some things that you noticed that they took extra time, effort or creativity with. Teachers are underpaid and underappreciated in most places, I’d bet that hearing some heartfelt and true praise and thanks would be welcomed. If your child is old enough, have them write something too (or transcribe it for them if they are younger).
#2-Give them something consumable. Maybe a homemade batch of cookies or muffins. Chances are if they spend all day teaching your kids, the probably don’t have a lot of time to make homemade goodies.
#3-Buy something thing for the classroom. If you are going to spend some money, at least buy something useful that won’t get shoved in a box somewhere. I’ve read that many teachers buy a lot of their own classroom supplies, so some art supplies, a new book, or even extra pens, pencils and chalk might be welcome.
Here are some other articles of interest on giving gifts to teachers:
Chicago Sun “A $500 Present for the Teacher?”
Dollar Stretcher “Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas”
Anonymous says
I was a public school teacher for many years. Rarely did I eat any food that was made for me. I needed to know the family and their living conditions really really well, before I would eat it. I would thank them, but threw it out later. It was difficult to know each family well as I had at least 100+ kids each year. Other teachers did the same thing.
I bought many supplies for the classroom, but I would not appreciate a parent buying supplies as I only bought the things that did not come in from my yearly order. We would order in the previous fall, and the supplies would arrive during the summer. The front office would cut the strangest things.
I did get candles and trinkets. I really dislike candles, and I have no where in my house to keep the trinkets. I do have a few gifts that I thought were really neat. I know it was the thought that counted, and I appreciated it from that standpoint, but these parents did not have much money and I felt badly that I really couldn’t use the gift. I really would not have liked them to spend a lot on me. Twenty dollars is too much!
I never received an end of the year gift. Very few teachers did.
I rarely got a letter of appreciation, but when I did, it was very meaningful to me. I do not think that the parents or students understand how much of your life you give to the students during the school year.
Anonymous says
I am a retired kindergarten teacher. Fifty (yes, fifty) years ago a parent wrote the nicest thank you note to me at the end of the school year. It is yellowed with age but I still have it.
I also remember a little boy named Phillip whose family had very modest means giving me a jar of jam that his mother had made. I don’t remember whether or not I ate it but I remember the excitement in his eyes at being able to give a present to the teacher.
I got MANY “teacher” mugs and specialty gifts but can’t remember them or the children who gave them.
Yes, a sincere note or letter or something that the child has a part in I think is the best bet! Collections of money for spa visits etc. are rediculous in my thinking.
Amy says
For my preschooler I’ve been making cards with a gift card inside. I’ve done Target (for school supplies etc), Starbucks, restaurants or Mardels (the Christian bookstore/teaching supplies place). I think I’m going to stick with Starbucks or Mardels.
Emily says
I’ve found that the fiskars scissors that are spring-loaded and not one-handed make great teacher gifts, especially for younger grades when a teacher may spend hours cutting out this or that or the other thing.
You can get them at wal-mart or any craft store, they’re gray and orange, and come with a sliding lock to keep the blades together when you’re not using them. Awesome scissors.