The Perfect Inexpensive Gift for Teachers

Are you wondering what to get your child’s teacher for a holiday, teacher apprecation week or end of year gift? This can be a major stressor for busy parents. Instead of blowing your budget, consider this perfect inexpensive gift for teachers that he or she is guaranteed to love and remember for years to come!

The Perfect Inexpensive Gift for Teachers

The end of the year is approaching and I’ve had lots of questions about what a good gift for a teacher would be. I’ve been teaching for over ten years. This season always gets me thinking about teacher gifts I’ve received in the past, especially the ones I really did love, and remember years later.

I will tell you the honest truth. With the exception of my first year of teaching, the ONLY gifts I remember are one very specific kind of gift. These are gifts I cherish and will continue to in years to come. I will share with you these special gifts that are guaranteed to touch any teacher’s heart.

An Inexpensive Christmas Gift Your Teacher Will Love

The truth is, the gift teachers love the best are handwritten thank you cards and letters.

Teachers spend their life trying to make a difference in the life of their students. Often, we feel unappreciated. We spend more time than you would believe dealing with complaints from parents and the public. Teachers are constantly scrutinized in the media and in our own neighbourhoods. Everyone has an opinion.  This is very discouraging and can really put a teacher’s spirits right down in the dumps.

Knowing that we ARE making a difference, and even better, being appreciated for the hard work we put in, is what makes teaching so worthwhile and satisfying. The easiest way to do so is by writing a heartfelt letter.

In my teaching career, two such letters stand out. They were both from moms of boys who had some struggles with the education system. One was painfully shy and starting kindergarten. The other was very far behind in his reading and totally disengaged with school by the age of 7. I spent a lot of time and effort with both boys, making sure their needs were met and they got the extra special attention they so deserved.

Both moms wrote me special letters to thank me for the extra care I gave their sons. They told me how worried they had been about their children.  They recognized the specific things I did to make their boys feel special and thanked me for turning school into a wonderful place their boys loved to be.

I know they also gave me gifts, but truthfully, I don’t remember what the gifts were (though I’m sure they were very nice). I DO know I not only remember both letters, but think about them often.

These letters remain very special to me because the moms shared their feelings and confirmed what I knew to be true: that I had made a difference in the lives of their sons. To this day, I prize these letters above all other teacher gifts I’ve received. I still know exactly where they are in my house (which is something to be said!). One letter is ten years old and still has a special place in my heart!

Some Tips for Writing a Thank You Letter

• Be specific. It’s easy to write a few sentences saying “Thanks for your hard work. We really appreciate it.” This is certainly nice, but the more specific, the better. What does the teacher do to motivate or encourage your child? What has he/she said or done that touched you, or your child? Which activities did your child come home raving about? How does this make you feel as a mom? The more specific you can be, the more special your letter will be.
• Write more, not less. You don’t need to write pages, but more than a couple of sentences shows that you have really taken the time to show your appreciation and make your teacher feel special.
• Include your child. If your child is old enough, and willing, plan out what to write together but let your child write the letter in their own words. If your child is younger, or perhaps uncomfortable sharing their feelings, have them add a sentence, or even just “Thank You” and their name at the end of your letter.
• Bonus: email the principal a copy of the letter (or maybe just the highlights) so he/she is aware of the great job the teacher is doing and how much you appreciate them.
• If you really don’t feel that a letter is enough, throw in a gift card! Teachers spend A LOT of their own money on classroom supplies, crafts, decor, etc. to make your little one’s year special. Gift cards let teachers splurge on themselves for once!

There you have it, THE perfect inexpensive gift your teacher is guaranteed to LOVE and cherish for years to come.  I am certain your child’s teacher will appreciate it more than any physical item you could purchase!

Do your children have a special teacher? What did you do to make that teacher feel appreciated? Do you have any inexpensive gifts for teachers that you’ve given?

Need more gift ideas? I’ve got you covered with gift ideas for the whole family!

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