During the Holiday Season it is very nice to say thank you to a special teacher by presenting him or her with a small gift of appreciation. This is a gesture which rewards the instructor for a job well done, and that also lets the teacher know exactly how much all the effort that they have put into their job, is appreciated.
What type of gift to purchase for a teacher can be a little confusing though, especially when you consider that most teachers generally have between twenty to thirty students in their classroom, and that many of these other students may also be presenting a gift to this same instructor.Twenty students offering up gifts each year can add up to a tremendous amount of gifts over the years. Often times when there is an overabundance of gifts, many wind up tucked away in a closet, or given away to a local charity. You want your gift to be one that will be appreciated, and this is the very reason why a gift presented to a special teacher should always be a small token gift, rather never a large expensive one.
So what are great Christmas gift ideas for teachers? There are many.
A special Christmas Ornament:
Ornaments can be very unique, many are one of a kind, and they are the perfect gift for student to give to a teacher. They are a small inexpensive gift and a Christmas tree can easily display hundreds of them. They can also be used as decorations throughout the entire house so having too many ornaments is very rarely a problem. What can make this gift all the more special is if the student makes their teacher this gift. Ornaments made from baked dough, beads, nuts, or pine cones can be easily designed even by the youngest hands. It is amazing how a little glue, glitter and string added to virtually anything can transform it into an attractive ornament.
A five or ten dollar coffee shop gift certificate:
Gift certificates to a local restaurant or coffee shop are a very acceptable gift for a teacher but just be sure to not overspend on the certificate. Remember that the gift certificate should remain a token gift. It should never look like you are attempting to bribe the instructor into giving your child good grades or other special treatment in the classroom. Five or ten dollars is a perfectly acceptable amount for the present. This type of gift allows the teacher a relaxing treat, or small get away experience, from the many little stresses of life or work.
Decorative office supplies:
Teachers use a lot of basic office items throughout their day and these many supplies need to be replenished on a regular basis. Pencils, pens, sticky notes, writing pads, note paper, note pads, paperclips and clipboards all make wonderful gifts for a favorite teacher. The wonderful beauty of this gift is that these items can be found in such a wide array of colors, and themes, that there is absolutely something out there to suit anyone's personality. From cute puppy note pads, to antique car sticky notes, or a handcrafted wooden pen there is guaranteed to be something that will be just right for your teacher. You just know that a gift of one of these items will always be used and appreciated.
Hand knit gloves or slippers:
If you knit than a gift of a pair of hand knit gloves or slippers is a wonderful gift to present to a teacher. If you do not knit than purchasing these at a local craft fair or from a local charity is also very acceptable. We all like a little comfort and nothing says it quite like a homemade knitted gift item.
Give a gift of sharing:
Provide a Christmas gift that the whole classroom will be able to enjoy. Present the teacher with a gift of baking. Home baked cookies, cupcakes, or one large cake can bring a wonderful Christmas spirit to not only the teacher, but to the entire classroom as well. This is a gift that allows the teacher to share his bounty with the students. When the teacher can share his gift with the students, they learn more than just the joy of giving, they also learn the many benefits involved in sharing. Just be sure to bring enough to supply the entire classroom and a little extra to spare just to insure that absolutely no one is forgotten.
Have a wonderful Holiday Season.