How to Choose Christmas Gifts for Teachers
Choosing Christmas gifts for a teacher can be stressful and anything but fun. However, there are certain things that remain solid basic choices that can be appropriate for almost everyone. The trick is in trying to make something basic “seem” like it was given with a touch of thought and great deal of care. That is particularly important in choosing gifts for the teachers that give the same thought and care to your children every single day.
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Instructions
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Send the teacher a Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet apple (see Resources). Selections can even be personalized to fit the teacher's particular tastes. Choose his or her favorite type of chocolate or nut topping. Better yet, choose a design with an accessory like a bear, flower, or miniature tie that represents them. Choose from petite to jumbo sizes in price ranges that can fit almost any budget.
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Tell the teacher that she makes a difference in your child’s life with a gift that says just that (see Resources). Give her a golden star pin for well under $10. Choose a combination paperweight and pen set, mounted on a “You Make A Difference” star for under $15. Gift them with an award from your child for between $20 and $50.
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Make the teacher a T-shirt that says “World’s Best Teacher.” Have it embroidered, painted, or ironed on. Better still, do the job yourself. The cost will range between $9.95 and $29.95 depending upon the type of shirt, the method of writing and other factors.
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Send a poinsettia plant with “Thank You” or some other sentiment run across the top of one or more blooms. The message, which is usually made of lightweight plastic or pipe cleaners, can be removed anytime and the teacher can use the plant in the schoolroom or at home. The cost will range between $7 and $20, depending on the size and type of plant chosen and where it is purchased.
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Deliver a balloon bouquet that says “You’re the Best,” “Thank You,” or anything else you want to say to the teacher. Weight the bouquet down with a fresh apple. Balloon bouquets are inexpensive when purchased from local dollar stores, making the cost next to nothing at $3 (minimal bouquet amount) and up.
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Let your child help make a coupon booklet for the teacher. It could be made up of services that your family can provide throughout the year. For example, one coupon might be for your child to help the teacher clean the classroom. Another coupon might be for you to provide the classroom with a basket of cupcakes for a special occasion. You might also donate your services for a day to serve as a teacher’s aide. The services will be appreciated by the teacher and cost your family next to nothing.
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Put together a scrapbook for the teacher with pictures of all of the children in the class, special school events, field trips and awards received. Let your child help by decorating the background pages with his or her artwork. Many of the supplies needed for the scrapbook can be purchased at local dollar stores, keeping the cost well under $20.
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Purchase books or other items needed for the classroom. Ask the school principal to help you identify items that the teacher has been longing to add but not had the resources to do so. Not only will the gift be appreciated at the time, but also your child will be thought of each time the item is used. You control the cost based on the number and types of items purchased.
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Arrange to plant a tree on school property in the teacher’s name. You can even go so far as to put a commemorative plaque near the tree so that 20 years from now, people will still know that the teacher was an important part of the school’s history.
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Give the teacher a gift certificate for a popular local restaurant or the movie theater. Accompany it with a poem that outlines what makes him special to your child and why he should be treated with a night on the town.
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Tips & Warnings
Include cards or handwritten messages with each gift to add a special personalized touch.
Avoid gifts with a religious connotation since teachers are not allowed to keep them in their classroom.
Avoid gifts with fragrances unless you know what the teacher likes. Many people have allergies to fragrances.
