Merry Christmas!
When I was teaching, gifts from my students and their families felt like such a huge blessing! I just never knew how tricky they were to give until I became a parent. There are more than a few that stick out in my memory (for good and bad reasons). I’ll leave the awkward gifts anonymous and just share my favorites! Hopefully, you’ll find something perfect for your family to give.
1. One year, in fact it was my first year teaching; a student gave me pre-cut frozen Christmas cookies, frosting, and sprinkles. They wrote me a sweet note (pun intended) that shared their understanding of how busy I was. Teachers are often TOO busy in their classrooms right up until Christmas to bake themselves. It’s great to give a gift that allows them to celebrate Christmas traditions and saves time!
2. Let’s talk gift cards. Teachers love them. Remember that they don’t have to be for large sums of money. A $5 gift card for coffee is great tucked in a little mug from the dollar store or better yet, inside a card made from their student is great. When they are accompanied by a note from a parent or student, they become transformed into a thoughtful and personalized gift! I once was given a gift card to a bookstore with a homemade bookmark…so cute.
3. Give a gift for the classroom. Teachers live and breathe their job and many spend their own salary on school supplies. Consider buying books or other supplies or even buying a gift card to a local teacher store. You can even make something for the classroom! For example, if you buy a book for the classroom; record yourself reading it for a listening center. If you have carpentry skills, offer to build a loft, bookshelf, or reading chair. If you sew, make over-sized pillows for kids to read on. The possibilities are endless.
4. Get clever. Why reinvent the gift wheel? Here are a few great ideas I found searching around on Pinterest…
We “whisk” You A Merry Christmas
Teachers, we’d LOVE to hear from you! Let us know what your favorite Christmas gift has been in the past!
As a High School teacher, I will say that any gift is appreciated. We don’t get gifts much at this level. Even something small – like a $5 gift card – is a nice token of appreciation.