Ten Gifts for a Teacher

You were the first teacher in your child's life. Over the years you have had the blessings of school teachers, Sunday School teachers and other adults who have had instructional influence on that young life. There will be several occasions during the year for you or your child to give a holiday, appreciation or thank you gift to a teacher. There is a wide variety of gifts for a teacher that will meet any budget.

Scrapbook Gather photos of the class, child and teacher during the period of time the teacher has been involved in your child's life. Buy a 6 x 6 or larger scrapbook at a craft store. Use primary colors, school or class themed scrapbook paper for each page. Adhere the photos to acid free paper mats and place on the pages. Add a plain mat and work with your child to journal about the photo. Finish the book with a thank you page personalized for the teacher.

Gift Card Work with your child to make a card stock card, envelope or decorative box and place a gift card inside. The card can be purchased at a grocery, specialty shop, spa, gym, book store or restaurant. Teachers need to eat, have massages and many love to read. You can't go wrong with a gift certificate or card.

Floral Arrangement Purchase fresh or silk flowers and arrange them in a pleasing floral arrangement for the teacher. You can go to a farm stand and help your child pick out beautiful flowers that can be placed in a recycled vase for the teacher's desk at school.

Ride of Honor Does your child have a rare teacher that simply deserves special recognition? Does he or she give their all to the school and community? Arrange with other parents and community members to give the teacher a special ride to school one morning. Have a limo, police officer escort or fire truck pull up to the teacher's home and give the honoree a ride to school. Arrange with the teacher's spouse to have the family vehicle brought to school for the end of the day. Plan to have photos taken to mark the day. Honor the teacher later in the day by having lunch delivered or have a tray of cinnamon buns for teacher and class to start their morning together.

Teacher Appreciation Day Contact the principal of the school and inquire about honoring all teachers during the special day in May. Have a breakfast or lunch catered by parents to show collective appreciation for all that the school staff does.

Dinner for Two The spouse of a teacher understands more than anyone the energy and sacrifice it takes sometimes to be a teacher. The teacher spends long nights and weekends correcting papers, meeting with parents and working on interesting projects to inspire students. Give the teacher a certificate for dinner for the two of them. Give them a night out together to show you appreciate the hours the couple gives to children as one teaches and spends a good deal of time with your child.

A Twist of Apple Does your child's teacher have a home with a yard and garden? Why not purchase an apple tree for the teacher to enjoy? This twist on the apple theme for the teacher will be a unique and long lasting gift. Dwarf apple trees are excellent for a faster growth and fruit producer. You can buy them at local nurseries and big box home improvement stores. Some apple trees need to have more than one planted together to enable them to thrive and produce.

Class Gift There are many class gifts that can be given to a teacher. Take the standard class photo and turn it into a usable item that the teacher can use daily. Buy a clock at your local big box store. Pop the heavy plastic face cover off. Slice the acrylic circle that has the clock numbers written on it with a craft knife and gently pull it off of the clock face. Trace the circle from the acrylic piece on to the back of the class photo. Cut the photo circle out. Slit down one half of the circle with a craft knife and place it on to the clock face around the hands post. Use the numbered piece as a guide to place small number stickers on to the class photo. Replace the clock cover. You now have a class photo clock for under $15.00.

Class Quilt Contact parents of your child's classmates to see if any are willing to make a collective project. Buy pre-cut quilt squares at a cloth store. Choose a theme and trace line drawings like coloring pages on to the squares. Have the children decorate a square with crayons. Have a parent iron the squares to melt the picture into the fabric permanently. Sew the squares together and back with cloth for a wall hanging or make into a full quilt with batting.

The Gift of Time Consider giving a priceless gift to show a teacher your appreciation. Volunteer your time. The teacher could use your help in the classroom or at home making things needed for classroom use. You will be surprised at the reaction you will get when you ask the teacher what you can do for her.