End-of-the-Year Group Gifts for Elementary School Teachers

We teachers have priceless files in our desks just for the sweet cards and letters we've received over the years. True sentiment from a parent or student, especially one that has made great progress in your class, is the best gift you can give. If, however, you would like to add a gift to the card, here are some ideas for group gifts that most teachers would love to receive!

I should note that, as a parent of little ones, I absolutely love the handmade handprint gifts and so on, but you have to remember that an elementary school teacher might have anywhere from 25-50 students. That's a lot of handmade gifts to store and no elementary school teacher is going to keep a few and get rid of the rest! Then think that they receive these sorts of gifts year after year and you can imagine the dilemma. So I prefer to give practical gifts along with a sentimental card or letter that is easy to save!

1. A gift card tree - I heard about this idea from another parent and loved it. Essentially, the room mother, if you have one, assigns a theme for a gift card (beverages, reading, entertainment, dining, shopping, etc) to each parent so that there aren't too many duplicated cards. Then set a dollar amount, maybe $10-$20 for a nice gift to end the year. Find a cute mini-Christmas tree and beachify it by painting it white or even hot pink and adding sunglasses, beach shovels and the like. Then hang the gift cards all around like ornaments. You should have a nice collection of maybe 15-20 (some parents will opt out, of course!) so your teacher can enjoy lots of goodies during the summer break! Some ideas include gift cards to the movies, the video store, the miniature golf course, a nice pizzeria, the local ice cream shop, the coffee shop, the bookstore, a hair salon, and so on!

2. A trip package - How about arranging a weekend getaway for your teacher and her significant other? Leave the date open so that they can make the final arrangements themselves. You might choose a local bed-and-breakfast, a nice place on the beach, a lakeside cottage, a city hotel room in the center of the "action", an overnight boat cruise, or even a getaway at a local campground or cabin if that interests him or her. In my area, I'd book a place on the beach and arrange a nice waterfront dinner. Think about what truly interests your teacher and then book flexible accommodations, arrange for dinner at a good restaurant nearby, get open-ended tickets to a show or other attraction in the area, etc. By collecting money from all the parents, you should have, perhaps, $300-$400 or so to arrange a nice little trip!

3. A summer adventure - If your teacher is the adventurous sort or has a unique hobby, arrange for an extra-special adventure or bunch of adventures. You might pay for adventurous activities that can be booked at a later time such as parasailing, hanggliding, windsurfing, biking through wine country (or whatever biking excursions are in your area), kayaking, swimming with the dolphins, panning for gold - whatever adventures your area has to offer. This type of package might be especially nice for a young teacher without other summer responsibilities!

4. A carefree summer - Here's an idea! How about getting your teacher a number of services for the summer months such as lawnmowing, gutter cleaning, house cleaning, those new suppers you pack up at a shop, and a number of nights with a babysitter or nanny service? What a relaxing summer your teacher will have!

5. A gift that keeps giving - Maybe your teacher truly doesn't want gifts of any sort or is especially involved in certain causes. Make a significant donation to the organization in his or her honor. You might buy an engraved bench for the school grounds. (Okay this with the principal first!) You might plant a favorite tree on the school grounds or create a perennial garden in their honor if they are avid gardeners. You might offer a scholarship in their name, one that could be offered by his or her students year after year. Whether it's the local homeless shelter, the SPCA, or wildlife conservation that is your teacher's passion, there will something meaningful you can do with the money you have collected. You might even go as far as submitting a small article to the local newpaper about your donation and why that teacher inspired such an effort.

These ideas sound large and extravagant, but if you think about it, each parent would probably spend $10-$20 on perfume or notecards or something else. Why not pool your money and treat the teacher to something extraordinary. In the end, though, remember that the most important part of any gift you decide to give will be the sentiment that accompanies it. Make those cards, write those letters, and present them and any gift in a special way. Your teacher will never forget it!