A+ Last Minute Gift Ideas for Teachers

Apples, desktop "World's Best Teacher" signs, books recalling cute sayings from the mouths of babes, "Teachers Make a Difference" coffee mugs-do these top your list of holiday gifts past for the educators on your list? Make an A+ impression on the teacher this year with a gift they are sure to treasure!

Pencils. They may seem boring to you, but ask any middle school math teacher about the power of having pencils to share. There are never enough pencils to go around. If you're crafty, you can decorate and fill a desktop cup or pencil jar. Garnish with a brightly colored ribbon and those classic #2's become a festive treat. For bonus points, sharpen them before delivery!

Chalk and Markers. Does your child's teacher use a chalkboard, dry erase board, or overhead projector? You can bet the September supply of writing instruments has run out. Fresh ink, new tips, bold colors... class time will be revitalized with your generous contribution. Available at stores everywhere, including the pharmacy or grocery store halfway between your house and the school.

Hi-tech Helpers. How about a 1 gig memory stick? CD's to copy power point presentations? Air duster cans and baby wipes to keep keyboards clean? Teachers who use technology in the classroom will find these gifts very handy all year long.

Paper. Another idea that may seem unimaginative to you but is sure to fill the heart of an educator with seasonal joy is paper-lined paper, graph paper, plain paper, colored paper, construction paper. Paper! Hands-on projects are great for teaching kids through experience, but the costs of materials can be overwhelming (After all, your teacher has been providing supplies for many activities for 18 weeks now. It adds up).

Gift certificates. Still not sure what would be best for your child's class? A gift certificate from an all-purpose store like Target or Kmart allows your child's favorite teacher to choose the best gift for their classroom. Any amount is fine-even five dollars buys enough red pens to correct tests and quizzes for the second half of the year.

These gift ideas are great for teachers of any grade. You can find them anywhere and they fit every budget. Best of all, they are necessary and welcome holiday treats. This year, make your gift stand out with one of these choices, sure to be on wish lists in every classroom.