Inexpensive Holiday Gifts for Teachers

The December holiday season is a wonderful time to show your appreciation to those who give their time to our kids - whether it be for a teacher at school, a Sunday school or dance teacher, a youth leader or daycare worker, or for a homeschooling friend who has put extra effort into organizing group activities. Here are some gift ideas that will sure to please without breaking your budget.

Coffee or Tea Basket
Spending a whole day talking can be thirsty work! A warm drink is always appreciated, especially when teachers have to be outside on bus or yard duty in cold weather. Make up a basket with a mug and a few special teas or coffees. You can even create your own homemade instant coffee mixes, or make herbal teas using plants like mint and chamomile. Add a little artisanal honey or an aromatic coffee whitener, and some homemade cookies or few chocolate covered candy canes to stir the drink with. Cocoa or hot chocolate mixes can be substituted for the coffee or tea, as well. You have a perfect gift basket!

Hand and Foot Care Basket
Teachers spend a lot of time on their feet, and work in an environment where they have to wash their hands a lot. A basket with a soothing peppermint foot cream and some rich hand lotion will be remembered long after Christmas is over. Throw in some custom blended Epsom salts for a good soak after a long day, or perhaps a gift certificate for a manicure or pedicure. And don't forget the hand sanitizer! Winter also coincides with cold and flu season!

Classroom Supplies Goodie Basket
Budgets for classroom supplies are not nearly what they should be, and teachers often pay out of pocket for necessary items. A basket filled with fun items such as stickers, stamps and stamp pads, mini note pads, post-it notes, craft supplies, and unusual pens or pencils will bring a smile to the teacher's face. An book of inspirational quotes is a great addition, as is a pretty poster or a small plant to bring the classroom back to life in the cold and dark of winter. For a very special treat, have your child create a line drawing for the teacher and use it to create personalized stationery. Teachers always say they remember the gifts kids make the best!