Think outside of the (GIFT) box--TEACHERS

This is the last in my series of gift ideas for Christmas that come from the heart-not from the store. Today's list is for teachers. Please feel free to share with your friends and share other ideas you have with me so I can continually update the lists.

 

These ideas came from teachers. Wish lists for a teacher may vary by how long they have been teaching. One school has the teachers fill out a “Favorite Things” questionnaire that is available for parents and students. Parents are given the opportunity to contribute to a joint gift and then a room mom does the shopping based on this list. See below for the "Favorite Things" questionnaire. Maybe you can start this at your school.

 

Any gifts that can be used up!  This was a top pick of my teacher friends both male and female. As much as some feel that a gift card is impersonal, teachers really like them. To make it personal, include a heartfelt note of thanks to the teacher for teaching your children.

Gift cards:

 

Car Wash                              Grocery Stores                                  Prepaid VISA card

Craft Stores                           Manicure/pedicure                           Restaurants

Department Stores               Office Supply Stores                        Their favorite store

 

            Movie passes or concert tickets

            Magazine subscriptions

            Items from the teacher’s wish list for classroom supplies (most teachers spend their own money on non budgeted items for the classroom)

            Cozy evening at home basket-favorite beverage and snacks in a basket

            Movie night at home basket with snacks and movie

            Do you know if a teacher likes to cook? Give an opportunity to take a cooking class. Loves art? Membership to a museum would be an appropriate choice.

            An individual or group gift to a favorite charity of the teacher

 

Give the gift of time. In a teacher’s case it would be to save them time.


             Easy to prepare meal in a basket or a ready made meal brought to school on a scheduled night to save the time of cooking. Give them a personalized coupon they can redeem at a future date. Have your child create the coupon.

            Christmas cookies to save the teacher the time of baking

            If allowed, bring a special lunch for the teacher and watch the students while the teacher has some alone time.

 

"Favorite Things” Questionnaire

Favorite color:

Favorite hobby:

Favorite fast food:

Favorite snack:

Favorite stores we shop at:

Things we collect:

Any special wishes

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net