Valentine's Day Gifts for Daycare Teachers

Valentine's Day is a chance to let others know they are appreciated.

Valentine's Day is often thought of as a time to celebrate romantic love, but it's also perfect for letting special friends and acquaintances know that you care. Daycare teachers act as second parents, keeping kids safe and helping them grow, so consider giving them a Valentine's gift to let them know their work and presence is appreciated.

Movie Gift Certificates

A movie theater gift certificate is a chance to enjoy adult fare.

Teaching at a daycare means living in a child's world and being surrounded by things made for little ones for much of the day. Needless to say, it can feel good to leave behind the world of cartoons and toys for that of sophisticated adult fare, so consider giving a movie gift certificate as a Valentine's gift to a special teacher. Check with local theaters to see what gift options they offer or explore online rental shops and enroll the teacher in a DVD-by-mail plan for several months or a year, allowing her to choose the flicks she wants to see.

Lunch Goodies

Treats to enjoy at lunch can make a great gift.

For a daycare teacher, lunch is a chance to relax, refuel and hopefully, enjoy a few minutes of peace before the kids head to recess or outdoor playtime. Give a special daycare teacher some lunchtime treats for Valentine's Day to make his midday meal extra nice. Select a nice lunchbox or refrigerated bag for him to carry his food in and accompany it with a cookbook of special lunch ideas and recipes. Consider including a gift certificate to a quality grocery store or purchase a few nice items, like imported cheese and jam, to get him off to a good start.

Spa Gift Certificate

A spa certificate can help a harried teacher feel like new.

Often, people who work with children are so occupied with keeping little ones healthy and happy that they forget to take care of themselves. To give a daycare teacher a little luxury and pampering, give her a spa gift certificate for Valentine's Day. If possible, pool funds with other parents to give the teacher a voucher for a full day of treatments, like a massage, pedicure and facial. If the budget is small, get a certificate for one or two options, like a pedicure and haircut, that will revive and replenish.

Housecleaning

A visit from a housecleaner can make all the difference in the world.

Often, after a long and tiring day at work, housework is the last thing on people's minds, even though they want to keep their home looking good. To give a daycare teacher a break, hire a maid to clean her house as a Valentine's gift. If possible, contact her significant other to see if he can help make the cleaning session a surprise so that they come home to a sparkling house. To save money, pair up with other parents and do the work instead of hiring a pro, carting in supplies and cleaning from top to bottom.

References

• Netflix: Gifts
• Amazon: Lunch Boxes and Bags
• Spa Finder: Spa Directory
• MSN: How to Hire a Maid

Resources

• Find Gift: Gift Selection Assistance