Last Minute Teacher Gift Ideas for Parents, Students
Celebrate Teachers This Holiday Season National PTA offers teacher gift ideas for parents, students; Thank-you card from parents tops teacher wish lists
As children nationwide count the days until the holiday break, some parents are counting pennies wondering what to do for their children’s teachers this holiday season. Of course, teachers don’t expect gifts, but many parents want to recognize the hard work of their children’s teachers by giving them a holiday gift or a token of appreciation.
National PTA went straight to the source and interviewed several teachers to find out what they want this holiday season. Sandy, a 1st-grade teacher from Florida, says, “I tell my students the best gift they could give me is good behavior, hard work.” Here are some other gift ideas from teachers across the country:
Simple and heartfelt
Teachers ranked thank-you cards from parents as their favorite holiday teacher gift idea, and edible treats as their least favorite. Other gifts from the heart, such as an autographed picture of the class, a picture drawn by a student, or a small photo album with note cards from children, were also mentioned as teacher favorites. “Truly the best gift a teacher can receive is a genuine expression of gratitude for their work, impact, or influence on a student or a class,” said Kathy, a high school teacher in Illinois.
For the classroom
“The knick-knack gifts, such as coffee mugs and little figurines, while appreciated, really build up over the years,”said Tim, a middle school teacher in Indiana. Classroom materials, such as posters for the walls, stickers, high-quality chalkboard chalk, organizational supplies, stamps and ink pads, framed pictures, and books, are sure to be a hit. Some teachers have a classroom wish list on the school website. And many teachers just wish for a “room full of students who are in class every day full of curiosity and a desire to learn,” said Jim, a 6th-grade teacher in Arizona.
Special interests.
“If you know the teacher, you might know that he or she loves to read, listens to jazz music, or drinks tea every afternoon,” said Angela, a high school teacher in Illinois. Some favorite personal gifts given to teachers include a Chicago Bears T-shirt given by a student who was a Packers fan, a CD of contemporary Spanish music made by a high school senior for his AP Spanish teacher, a book donated to the library in the teacher’s name, and a donation to a charity on a teacher’s behalf.
Can’t go wrong with a gift certificate.
“My kindergarten teacher once said that if she received another Christmas ornament, she would have to get a fourth tree. Gift certificates to stores like Barnes & Noble, Office Depot, or Starbucks may not be the most creative gifts, but they are useful and practical,” said Angela, a high school teacher in Illinois. Other gift certificate ideas include gift certificates to local restaurants, gas stations, malls, or teacher stores.
“As a former classroom teacher in a city school system, I see teachers going above and beyond every day. Some teachers are doing their job with less resources and support, and even taking money out of their own pockets to give basics such as pencils and paper to young students,” said National PTA Chief Executive Officer Warlene Gary. “Our teachers deserve immense respect and recognition this holiday season, and throughout the year.”
More teacher appreciation ideas.
