educating-- celebrating

GIFTS FOR TEACHERS
Sometimes you want to give a teacher a note, sometimes a present.   A specific note letting the teacher know how and why you and your child appreciated her is the best.

When you want to buy a teacher a present a gift certificate is always a good gift-- it allows the teacher to choose something he or she needs and really wants.

How much is appropriate?
$10, $20, or whatever you can afford.  If you can afford $10, a retail food store like Starbucks or a local coffee house is a good choice.  $20 can buy two books or one new hardcover, a dvd, or other similar item at a bookstore, etc.  A gift certificate for a manicure or pedicure is a bit more intimate, but if you’ve run into a teacher at a local salon, this might be a nice choice.

If you can afford more expensive presents, and want to give them, it’s best to do so with a note of appreciation.  This makes it clear that the gift is a thank you for the past-- not a buttering up for the future.  Some schools or school districts have rules about gifts-- check those out before you make your choices.  And be discreet about giving so other kids and parents don’t feel guilty-- again, teachers appreciate but never expect a gift, and I never treated any student differently in or out of class, consciously, because of one. 

Homemade cookies, cakes, and chocolates are usually difficult-- many times the holidays are filled with parties and similar gifts-- it very quickly becomes too much food and for teachers trying to balance their eating it can be overwhelming.  Also, many people have food allergies and preferences, so while lovingly prepared, many baked goods remain uneaten.