Christmas Presents for Teachers: Ideas?

[kacie tri-ing]

I just got home from my last day teaching before the break and read this.

I always gave my teachers gifts (and my parents are also teachers). It is in NO way about what the gift actually is. The kids are SO thrilled to hand you something and tell you to enjoy the cookie-chocolate-gift-card-ornament. And to be perfectly honest, I do. I work really really hard, and it is awesome to be able to go have a latte as a treat with my husband and not spend a dime. Because a gift card to a coffee shop is like taking me out, but I get to choose when and where. I am really careful about my nutrition, but I can't WAIT to try the traditional recipies for cookies/candy/chocolates that my kids have made that I don't make. And you know what, it also lets me off the hook for holiday gatherings. I don't have the time to make things, but I can bring an assortment of treats to a party, and it is always a hit! I really do think about my kids when I am enjoying the gifts. They are special to me, just like they are special when they are given.

Of course, every teacher loves a card. That is a given. I love gift cards. Even $5 card to starbucks with a pack of biscotti is awesome. It says, "go read a book and relax during the bread. You earned it." To be perfectly honest, we do earn it

I love hearing that the kids made the goodies too. Makes it special. Also nice when they are from a rockin' local bakery that you KNOW is going to be good :-)

I also got some cool stainless steel water bottles (I do work at an environmentally focused school).

We don't keep score. We do like to be appreciated. If you don't give your teachers gifts, drop them an email and say thank you. I promise that the feeling of appreciation is SO important to us. It makes us get up in the morning and work harder to know that people understand that we ARE working hard!

And I TOTALLY agree with V. We do not have "office" relationships with children. If you are a teacher for the right reasons, you love the kids....I mean really love them. It is not the same at all as working with adults.