Faith & Family Live! : Creative End-of-Year Gifts

Posted by dk on Monday, May 9, 2011 11:58 AM (EDT):

Danielle, you read my mind! I was planning to pose this question today. I’d like to add to your question, how do you decide to whom you give gifts…teacher, assistant teachers, afterschool program staff, coaches, etc. It can get really out of control!

My cousin is a teacher and she suggests that for a truly great teacher, it is a good idea to write a formal letter to the teacher with a copy to the principal. It can be part of the teacher’s personnel file and he/she can also use it as a reference in future job searches.

I’m looking forward to other suggestions!

Posted by Danielle M. on Monday, May 9, 2011 12:14 PM (EDT):

I try to give something personalized, and/or consumable. in the past, I have given teachers insulated travel mugs with their initials on them, baskets of chocolate and Hand sanitizer lotion and gel in pocket sizes (I figure all teachers use this a lot), my favorite, and the one I got the most comments from teachers on, was a collection of notepads, sticky notes and stationary with their names and initials in various shapes and sizes. For some teachers, I have given gift certificates for a mani/pedi to celebrate the start of Summer. looking forward to other’s ideas too!

Posted by Joan on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:01 PM (EDT):

Can your child be in my class please? : ) Those are great gifts!

Posted by Susan on Saturday, May 21, 2011 11:38 AM (EDT):

As a high school teacher myself, I can honestly saythat the greatest gift is to be appreciated, thought of and prayed for at the end of the year. I have parented four children and given many teacher gifts myself, but most cherisned were those that were thoughtful and personal. One couple gave free tickets to both of the arts performances at the local college. the tickets were free to them, so they cost nothing, but were a kind gesture to someone who might not have had the time to write away for tickets themself. Book store gift cards are always welcome as are gift cards to restaurants, coffee shops and even the grocery store. If you don’t want to use it yourself you can pass it on to someone you know needs it. A donation in the teacher’s honor is always a nice gift as well.

Posted by Anne in NC on Monday, May 9, 2011 12:38 PM (EDT):

Most years (including this year) we just contribute to the class gift. But when each of my girls was in kindergarten, we made personalized notepads for their teachers.

I used an 8/12 x 11-inch sheet of paper, turned sideways (landscape). I drew a line down the middle. Across the top on one side of the line I printed “A Note from Mrs. X” and across the top on the other side of the line I printed “A Note from Miss Y”. (Are you with me? There were 2 teachers in each kindergarten class.)

In the lower corner, on each side of the line, my daughter drew a small picture of herself with her teacher.

In tiny print across the bottom, I put “Artwork by [my daughter’s name]” and the date.

Then I took my sheet of paper to a copy shop and had them make 50 copies, cut the copies in half, back the copies with cardboard, and then glue them across the top—and that gives you two unique 50-page notepads. The total cost was something like $15, and the teachers loved them.

Posted by Joan on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:08 PM (EDT):

This is a wonderful idea! My partner teacher received something similar last year.

Posted by Elizabeth on Monday, May 9, 2011 12:40 PM (EDT):

Practical gift cards are so nice (Target, Amazon)—we teachers don’t make much, so anything like that is great. Also “treat” gift cards, mani/pedi/coffee are nice because it’s a nice reason to “have to” treat yourself! Thanks for thinking of the teachers!

Posted by RE on Monday, May 9, 2011 1:02 PM (EDT):

In the past, we have given gift cards, usually to a local bookstore or coffeeshop. Although - I like the manicure idea! Also, if you are out of ideas, you might ask a fellow teacher in the school. They might have ideas for what your teacher might like.

Posted by Angela on Monday, May 9, 2011 3:05 PM (EDT):

I tend to give homemade nutritious baked goods that can be frozen. Teachers are short on time, so having a nutritious snack on hand seems like it would be helpful. In addition, I do not like to “clutter up” people’s lives. Some people have lots of “stuff”, and feel burdened by one more thing to take care of, but everyone has to eat!

Some people give jars of homemade soup mis, muffin mix, etc. I think that’s a really nice idea.

Posted by Joan on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:07 PM (EDT):

Angela, although it is very thoughtful, homemade baked goods are not always the best to give. I have a lot of food allergies and although I appreciate the thought of homemade muffins or cookies, I wouldn’t be able to eat them. It is very thoughtful to ask the teacher at the beginning of the year if she has any food allergies, if you plan on giving homemade treats. I Have had to throw baked goods out because I was so highly allergic to the ingredients in them. I felt terrible doing it,but it was for my own health. I couldn’t tolerate the smell of some of the ingredients. (nuts, certain spices etc).

Posted by Leslie on Monday, May 9, 2011 7:28 PM (EDT):

Unfortunately I have to agree with the previous commenter re: not giving homemade food items. Food allergies are one reason. My dh and his family (his dad and sister also teach) have a blanket policy of not eating anything given to them by any students unless it’s sealed in store packaging. Mainly this has to do with districts they have worked in where they don’t trust certain people not to put something suspicious in it… sad but true… :( They always feel bad throwing things out, knowing how much thought and time went into it, but better to be safe than sorry.
Obviously it depends a lot on the school/district your kids are part of. My dh works at a private school now and has relaxed a little about it, but ultimately prefers store-bought if someone gives food. (Simple things like Rocher chocolates or a Toblerone go a long way with him though!) If the teacher isn’t someone I know well I’d steer clear of homebaked stuff.

Posted by Kimberlie on Monday, May 9, 2011 3:39 PM (EDT):

Thank you for these ideas! I feel as though I have been a horrible, horrible parent this year because I have forgotten teacher appreciation week, birthdays, we were in China adopting our son just before Christmas and so Christmas gifts didn’t get done for the teachers. I haven’t shown the teachers how truly appreciative I am for all they do for our children. My daughter’s teacher, in particular, has been truly amazing and wonderful. I am definitely going to “show the love” at the end of the year.

Posted by Joan on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:11 PM (EDT):

Kimberlie, I always appreciate any gift at any time, I wouldn’t worry about the other times you “didn’t” give anything. Teachers are appreciative whenever you give them a gift. I don’t “count” the gifts, I appreciate them no matter when they are given.

Posted by Jennifer on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:20 PM (EDT):

Perhaps I’m just jaded having had children in school for the last 12 years straight, but I no longer give individual teacher’s gifts. I simply contribute to the class gift. I am very grateful for my childrens’ teachers, but when you have four or five children in school, it can quickly add up to a lot of money, not to mention CCD teachers, scout leaders, ballet and music teachers, etc.

Posted by Michele on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:28 PM (EDT):

The end of year gift I always give is a flower. I buy an annual (usually a petunia) in a nice sized pot that isn’t too expensive but can always be planted in the teacher’s yard or even in a flower pot for the porch. They are pretty and can be enjoyed all summer long. It’s a gift that doesn’t accumulate dust somewhere and I have had many teachers tell me what a nice addtion it makes to their gardens.

Posted by Susan on Saturday, May 21, 2011 11:42 AM (EDT):

What a great idea!

Posted by anita on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:33 PM (EDT):

So since as a homeschooling mom I am parent AND teacher. This means I HAVE to buy myself a gift right . . . Mystic Monk coffee, or Trappistine Fudge, perhaps?

Wow! I think of fudge and my verification word is large!

Posted by Sahmoffive on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:59 PM (EDT):

Lol! Good Idea for homeschoolers, I’ll tell the principal (my husband) that the teachers in this school expect a gift this year, or at least a bonus!

Posted by McMom on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:37 PM (EDT):

I have given just about everything so far over the years (and will still be giving for many more years to go)! We go to Catholic school and the best response we’ve gotten is giving a handwritten note to each teacher, principal, etc. saying that we would pray a rosary for their family and their intentions over the summer. And we did it - great for car trips! I even have teachers request it again in subsequent years! It was also more meaningful for my kids to give than some of the material things we had given in the past.

Posted by Danielle on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:39 PM (EDT):

As a former teacher my favorite gifts were always of the restaurant gift card variety!

Posted by Meghan on Monday, May 9, 2011 4:56 PM (EDT):

As a teacher, I love handwritten cards/ pictures. Consumables and gift cards are always nice, too, but I really treasure the kids’ personal efforts.

Posted by momof5 on Monday, May 9, 2011 5:12 PM (EDT):

Vista print has inexpensive personalized notepads that are great teacher gifts.

Posted by cpelletier on Monday, May 9, 2011 6:02 PM (EDT):

As a teacher, I always appreciate the personal notes and Mass cards.

Posted by Joan on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 6:22 AM (EDT):

Handwritten notes are the best gifts I have ever gotten. I have a few I keep in my “I need a pick me up” file. When you write a note to a teacher thanking them for all their hard work, you are letting her/him know you that you really appreciate them. This is lacking nowadays. It’s very sad. (note13 is my word!!)

Posted by Ginny on Monday, May 9, 2011 6:12 PM (EDT):

I’m a teacher (high school). We don’t get as many gifts as our elementary school counterparts, but I appreciate all of them. The thought truly is what counts.

I think what I love most are the handwritten notes from students who tell me what they liked about the class. I have saved many over the years for my “Fuzzy File” (as in Warm Fuzzies—every teacher needs some good affirmations to turn to on the bad days!). I think the handwritten note thing is a great exercise for teens because it gives them practice in articulating their feelings. (Wow, I really sound like a teacher, don’t I?). It’s great for adolescents to learn that even the adult authority figures in their lives like getting nice feedback.

Posted by Beth on Monday, May 9, 2011 7:23 PM (EDT):

Between all my kids there is at least 10 teachers not including the extra teachers like gym and art etc. I think the “extra” teacher work hard to and I think they probably get ignored. I sometimes struggle with how far to take my gift giving. I could do a $5 contribution to a class gift. We could do $5 gift cards. I like having the kids writing hand written notes.

I have done homemade food items with notes. My SIL who is a teacher tells me she likes that. I guess I never thought to ask about food allergies—good to know.

Posted by Kim on Monday, May 9, 2011 8:08 PM (EDT):

I work in a school with a diverse population. So, I’ve seen all kinds of gifts. The best are the cards with a written expression of thanks (I’m a words of affirmation girl . Gift cards are wonderful, too if they are in the budget.

Posted by Christina on Monday, May 9, 2011 8:35 PM (EDT):

Last year (and this year, too) I gave my son’s teachers this crayon initial framed art. It is relatively easy to make and the presentation is worth it! The teacher’s loved having their initial done in crayon (with crayons). I have a tutorial on my blog if anyone is interested! I made one for my 1 yr old God-daughter, too. And I’m making one tonight for the children’s program teacher at our Scripture study. Really great gift and probably under $20.

http://christinacostain.blogspot.com/2010/06/teacher-gift-crayon-initials-6710.html

Posted by Susan on Monday, May 9, 2011 9:20 PM (EDT):

My husband is a high school teacher. He definitely enjoys personal notes most but he appreciates any thoughtful gifts sent his way. I do think that his favorite gift was a toy “Nerf” gun that shot out little “arrows” with suction cups at the end. It loaded six at a time and he and our boys enjoyed it immensely! Yes, my husband is very young at heart!

Posted by Helena on Monday, May 9, 2011 9:39 PM (EDT):

I was a teacher for 38 years and the gifts I have appreciated are the handmade cards with personal messages of love , appreciation and prayers , letters of appreciation given to the principal and cc to me , flowers , potted plants , personalised bookmarks (cross-stitched/drawn) and books with a collection of short stories which I can read to my Class in-between teaching periods .

Posted by Therese on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 2:18 AM (EDT):

As a Catholic school teacher, I can honestly say the same thing I say as Mom…“I love anything they give me.” But notes are wonderful. And I have also loved home baked anything, coffee gift cards (even $5…it is SO appreciated!), picture frames, potted plants, lotions or soaps, and gift cards to B&N. But the best gift I ever received…a class gift of a note from each child assembled in a scrapbook with a thank you note from each parent. And the best gift of all…summer vacation follows!

Posted by Paul on Thursday, May 12, 2011 1:39 PM (EDT):

We have the perfect Teacher Gift. Its a Green Apple Rhinestones Purse Hook on sale for $9.95. Come check out the link below..

http://www.pursehangersusa.com/product_info.php?cPath=2&products_id=30&osCsid=c2d48cd6c4781d0f8440432310bb414f

Posted by thiruppathy on Tuesday, Aug 2, 2011 11:04 PM (EDT):

Great.BUT i do think that his favorite gift was a toy “Nerf” gun that shot out little “arrows” with suction cups at the end.
Potted Plants

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