| As the years go by, it seems to become more and | | | | cup. |
| common for parents to be expected to give gifts to | | | | Child-made apple-shaped something or other (although |
| their children's teachers at school. There's a fine line | | | | over the years many teachers end up with more |
| between showing appreciation and going broke. Finding | | | | apple decorations than they have room for in their |
| just the right gift -- at just the right price -- can be | | | | house). |
| challenging at best. And besides, how many | | | | Baked goods (bread, cookies, candies, quick breads, |
| apple-decorated key chains or coffee mugs can one | | | | etc.). |
| teacher use? | | | | Chocolate dipped pretzels. |
| Gina Dalquest (mother of four school-age children) | | | | Chocolate anything. |
| says, "Every teacher appreciates school supplies. | | | | Christmas ornament. |
| Often teachers spend a lot of their own money | | | | One woman online writes, "There are too many |
| stocking their classrooms. Pencils, paper, whatever I | | | | people who get left out and probably feel bad about it, |
| can get inexpensively or in volume. I bought a big cube | | | | such as the P.E. teacher, the principal, the secretary, |
| of construction paper and sent half to my son's class. | | | | the kitchen lady who knows your child by name, the |
| Last year, we made decorated glass ball ornaments | | | | teacher's aide who listens to them say their numbers |
| by pouring several colors of acrylic paint into them and | | | | or helps with reading, etc. And then there's the Awana |
| swirling the balls around to look marbled. It cost less | | | | leader, the Girl/Boy Scout leader, the Sunday School |
| than $2 per gift." | | | | teacher, and the private teachers like piano and dance. |
| During the winter holiday season, teachers can be so | | | | A parent can't possibly buy/make gifts for all these |
| busy with school-related holiday preparations that they | | | | people." |
| don't have time or energy for all the necessary | | | | Her unique suggestion to deal with this large number of |
| preparations at home. Homebaked cookies, etc., can | | | | potential gift recipients? Donate a book to the school |
| be very helpful in this regard. | | | | or the public library "in the names of all the people who |
| The following are suggestions for helpful and often | | | | have been part of your child's life this year. Then give |
| inexpensive teacher appreciation gifts for the holidays | | | | a card to each individual telling them why they were so |
| or the end of the school year: | | | | important to your child and how this gift will help other |
| Shoe-box sized plastic storage box full of school and | | | | children as much as he/she helped your child." |
| classroom supplies that you can stock up on | | | | It's been my experience that people in volunteer helping |
| throughout the year at sales, clearance stores, etc. | | | | positions (such as Sunday School teachers or nursery |
| Bag of popcorn and a flavored salt sampler. | | | | workers at church) are often completely overlooked |
| Gift certificate for a video rental. | | | | when it comes time to give out thanks. Each year my |
| Homemade fudge in take-out meal containers (or | | | | husband and I try to invite our children's Sunday School |
| Biscotti or gingerbread men). | | | | teachers and their families to dinner at our house to |
| Pencils printed with their names on them. | | | | thank them for all their hard work and dedication |
| Painted glass ball ornaments. | | | | throughout the year. It's never ceased to amaze me |
| Flavored coffee or tea mixes. | | | | that I always hear comments like, "No one has ever |
| Coffee and cup decorated by your child. | | | | done anything like this for me before and I've been |
| A candle and candleholder. | | | | teaching Sunday School for twelve years." Even just a |
| Anything for the classroom: games, writing equipment, | | | | simple Thank You card given at the holidays or the |
| books, rulers, things to decorate or theme objects. | | | | end of the school term could be enough to bowl them |
| Handmade items from the students (potholder, pencil | | | | over in shock. |
| holder, etc). | | | | Remember, this isn't a competition to see which child |
| Movie theater passes. | | | | or parent gives the teacher the best or most |
| Small basket of lotions or soaps. | | | | expensive gift. Showing appreciation to assorted |
| Letter or card from the student (and/or parent) telling | | | | teachers should be an expression of heart-felt thanks |
| what they enjoyed about the year or the teacher's | | | | to the dedicated people who have touched our lives |
| input into the child's life. | | | | and given of themselves to our children. |
| Small plant potted in a thrift store coffee mug or tea | | | | |