Teacher's Gift Ideas for the End of the Year

Honor the wonderful job your child's teacher has done with an end of the year gift. While you don't want to break the bank, a small gesture of a gift is suggested. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking in that direction.

Personalized and hand made gifts are always cherished. A unique idea would be to record your child answering questions about the teacher. What was your favorite memory of this school year? What do you like best about your teacher? What was your favorite subject and why? What one way did your teacher help you most this year? You get the idea. Not into recording them, how about making a book. Better yet, a scrapbook with photos and similar questions and answers. If truly motivated to provide a one of a kind gift, how about getting all the children involved and creating a book, one page per child?

Thank you notes are always welcomed. Teachers are always writing hand written notes of thanks and praise. This year, I took some artwork my children created and used it as the background image and then put the words "Thank You!" on top. I scanned it into my computer and sent it off to VistaPrint. I ordered the ten free cards and then paid for additional since they each have two teachers. So this is a professionally printed, homemade gift. I can't wait for them to see the cards. They turned out great and I will be using this idea again.

How about a classroom gift? Oftentimes teachers have wish lists. Ask in the office if there is a classroom wish list and then purchase something they desire for the room. If you aren't sure what would be needed and their isn't a list available, you could substitute a gift card to the local teacher's supply store.

Themed gifts are another option. Since summer is around the corner, maybe a relaxing gift basket filled with items they would use for the summer. A garden basket could be filled with a few seed packets, some gloves, garden tools, and a garden sun catcher. Maybe a pampering basket is more suited towards your particular child's teacher. Try sun lotion, a good book, lemonade, possibly even some nail polish for those toes!

Teachers get a lot of small trinkets. Consider a donation to a charity that he or she would be fond of. If it is a science teacher, maybe the Wildlife Fund. You get the idea but you'd need to know the teachers likes for this idea.

Gift cards while often times viewed as easy and not really personal, could be just the right gift for a teacher. Consider a few different cards and a note explaining why you thought they'd like it. Children could even write the note themselves. A gift card to the local bookstore for the teacher who enticed your daughter to read more. Or a gift card to the local spa for a teacher who seemed to go above and beyond would be in need of a little summer pampering.

Whatever you decide, I am sure the gift will be appreciated. Even if you choose not to give a gift, do write a thank you note to those teachers or teacher's aides who helped your child this school year. This will be appreciated most and remembered the longest.