Easy Gift Ideas for Teachers
Buying a gift for a teacher does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be as simple as purchasing a gift card, which is one of the top 10 gifts for teachers, according to the FamilyEducation website. Other gifts can be as easy as a greeting card or classroom supplies.
Other People Are Reading
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Homemade
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One of the most treasured gifts a teacher can receive is a handwritten thank you note from a parent or student. Mention specific examples of how the teacher helped your child during the school year. Send a copy to the teacher's supervisor or principal. This type of homemade gift is much more appreciated than homemade baked goods, which Redbook ranks as one of the least popular gifts teachers receive.
Personal
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Teachers are people too and enjoy a chance to indulge themselves. Consider buying a gift card for a spa service or a gift certificate to a bookstore. Most teachers also enjoy reading, especially during summer vacation. FamilyEducation suggests "Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire" by Rafe Esquith as one of its top 10 gifts for teachers. Another popular book to give teachers is "The New Yorker Book of Teacher Cartoons," which has over 100 cartoons about the classroom.
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Classroom Supplies
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Teachers spend a great deal of their own money on buying supplies for the classroom. On average, teachers spent $356 of their own money on supplies in 2009-2010, according to a study by the National School Supply and Equipment Association. Consider giving your teacher a gift card to an office supply store or a gift basket filled with dry-erase markers, glue, pens and other essentials, which Redbook ranked as one of the gifts most desired by teachers. Another popular gift is personalized stationery, as the teacher probably writes many notes throughout the school year. A low-maintenance plant such as the snake plant (Sansevieria), spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) or golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) can also be a welcome addition to a classroom.
Group Gift
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You might find it easier to give the teacher one gift from several parents. This can allow you to buy the teacher a nicer gift or a gift card with a higher dollar amount. Plus, the work will be spread among several people.
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References
- Photo Credit school books image by William Berry from Fotolia.com
