Readers Respond: What Are Your Top Teacher Gifts?

Responses: 9

By Amanda Rock, About.com Guide

What types of teacher gifts have you given? Post your gift ideas for teachers, coaches and parent volunteers. Share Your Best Ideas

If you're a scrapbooker, then the personalized notes might be good. However, please realize that teachers have several students, so chocolates, cookies, and other edibles pile up quickly and often get handed off to others. I don't expect gifts every year, but I appreciate the ones that speak more to me as a person and are practical. Shirts are not a good present because of the differences in sizes and cuts. Blankets assume that I have nothing to keep me warm. Wallet sized pictures are better suited for end-of-year gifts as I will see the child again in two weeks. It kills me that students and families spend money on stuff that will never get used. It is the thought that counts, but so many families are struggling these days that their gifts should not only be appreciated, but actually used.
—Guest Teacher

Most of us are are trying to watch our weight. Also, I know many teachers who dump all home-baked goodies right into the garbage, largely because they don't want to eat something that your kids' hands have been all over. I know it sounds bad, but think about it. Get something the teacher can use for the whole classroom.
—Guest ibteachin

I have taught for about 10 years. I'm going to be brutally honest here...one can only have so many "#1 teacher" mugs, apple ornaments, and "homemade" gifts. I admit over the years I have thrown out much of it just to keep it under control. How about a gift card? I've had several kids give me a gift card over the years and I was very appreciative, especially since I work in a private school and my salary is nothing to brag about. That way the teacher can purchase something she will truly like and use.
—Guest mrscori2006

I've been a teacher for 10 years, and every Christmas I receive a plethora of candy-filled Christmas mugs, scented bath soaps, and "Teacher of the Year" ornaments. As nice as these gifts might be, nothing is more special than the letters students or parents write telling me something personal that they've learned or enjoyed. I eat the candy, use the bath soaps, and hang the ornaments, but what I really cherish are those letters and cards. I keep them in a scrapbook, and whenever I feel discouraged with the educational world I take the time to re-read a few of the notes and remember the reason I'm a teacher. So forget buying your teacher a gift; write a letter instead! I guarantee she will treasure it far more than any present you can possibly buy.
—Guest SmyleeTeacher

We collected a personal note written from each child and a small summer themed gift that we placed in a beach bag.
—ProudMama4

My daughter always make her teacher something. Which teachers always like homemade things from there student's.
—Guest guest mom

I made a scrapbook of pictures and messages the kids in my sons class drew for their teacher. I did these last year and we had all three teachers in the class cry. (prek) I'm doing it again for this yeAr.
—Guest Amie Maberry

Each year my child writes a poem and gives that along with a gift card to her teacher. Even if every other classmate wrote a poem, no two would be alike. Truly unique!
—Guest mom

As a teacher for 20+ years, I received lots of gifts from students, but my favorites are the cards, notes, photographs and letters that I received. These don't get eaten, used up or outdated. I never had a class make a scrapbook for me, but I would have loved that! Now, for what most teachers don't need more of--the three Cs--candy, candles and coffee cups!
—Guest SusanAdcox