Ten Great Teacher Gifts for the Holidays

In my fifteen years of teaching, I've received many surprisingly thoughtful gifts for the holidays from my students - and my fair share of clunkers, too. Any teacher can tell you how their acting skills are tested on those last days before Christmas vacation when their brightly smiling students appear at their desks bearing gifts that are, well, interesting, to say the very least.

And while teachers don't expect gifts and really do appreciate anything they receive from their students, here are some ideas for teacher gifts that go beyond the usual mugs and apple Christmas ornaments and are sure to merit a genuine thank-you:

1. Colorful or fun-shaped paperclips, colored rubber bands, cute post-it notes, a pack of dry-erase markers or other office supplies would all be welcome and useful gifts.

2. A gift card from Wal-Mart, Target or another discount store would allow the teacher in your child's life to buy something for himself or his classroom.

3. A gift card from a local restaurant is sure to be enjoyed by any teacher.

4. A board game appropriate for the age of the students in the classroom would be well received. Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Ants in the Pants, and Hi Ho Cherry-O are just a few of the games that would be appropriate for lower elementary classrooms. Connect Four, The Game of Life, or a checkers or chess set would be a nice addition to an upper elementary classroom.

5. Most teachers would enjoy receiving a puzzle for the children in his or her classroom. Ages are usually listed on the front of the puzzle box.

6. Check out a teacher supply store for educational games appropriate for your child's grade level.

7. Teachers go through lots of stickers and would appreciate some fun stickers to give to their students.

8. Teachers, almost without exception, are avid readers, and a gift certificate to Barnes & Nobles or Amazon.com would be put to good use.

9. Scented hand sanitizer is a most useful gift for a teacher, especially with cold and flu season rapidly approaching.

10. Offer to supply treats for the classroom holiday party. Check ahead of time to see whether the school has a policy regarding serving homemade food to students.

If in doubt, gift your child's teacher with something you would enjoy receiving for, contrary to popular belief, teachers are people, too. And be assured that, in the teacher's eyes, it truly is the thought that counts.