Teacher Gift Ideas

Teacher Gift Ideas or Gift Ideas for Teachers -- a list to consider
Here is a list of some great inexpensive ideas to give a classroom teacher. The list is based on my own teaching experience and gifts I recieved over the decades of teaching.

One comment -- considering how many years I taught, the number of students over those years, how many mugs and ornaments do you think I got? Please . . . reconsider and pick an idea off this list!
Jean

Check your school or teacher's policy about gift giving to the staff or faculty.

Best Gifts I ever got: Complimentary notes from parents or students with a picture. Remember to put the date on them! They are a testimony to my career and I enjoy looking at them in the scrapbook I made of them. Some still make me cry or laugh.


For the classroom –
puzzles, games
package of gluesticks
packages of magic markers or dry markers
film or disposable cameras
multipack of tape
electric pencil sharpener
packages of pens/pencils
reams of paper: white or colored (due to budget cuts or supply rationing)
Dirt Devil mini-vacuum (for crumbs, glitter, etc)
Boxes of tissue
Boxes of bandaids (not every kid needs to see the nurse)
Soft Soap
Ziplock bags (larger size is great)
Magazine gift subscription - Ranger Rick, Cricket, Spider, or the like.
Educational videoes. These can be given to the school library so many children benefit.
Gift certificate to the local Teacher Supply Store, Staples, OfficeMax or Office Depot, or WalMart.

VCR or a TV -- yes! even if they are USED but WORKABLE and in good shape, any school would appreciate these donations. Call and talk to the principal before you bring it in.

Books
-- quality literature and appropriate for the class -- buy them, give a gift certificate to a bookstore, or donate any books you would like to get rid of by cleaning out your home library. A book is a gift that keeps on giving over time!! Teachers don't care if they are used and in good condition. Multiple copies in their libraries are good for Literature Circles.

Make sure books are in very good condition and avoid donating Disney, Little Golden Books or books that are TV associated.

Stationary -- personalized notes or paper or stationary, Thank-You Cards, general note cards, Birthday Cards, booklet of stamps.
A personalized name rubber stamp -- order these at the office supply shop. Takes about a week to arrive. Just order the teachers name: "Mrs. Favoriteteacher". If she moves on to another grade level or school, the stamp will still work for her.

Calendar -- one that features an author or illustrator, or illustrations from one book. For upper grade teachers -- word or fact a day calendars are great.

Personal Gifts
-- Gift Certificates to a bookstore or the local coffee shop (Starbucks rates pretty high!), sandwich shop or the local pizza place (comes in handy when teachers stay all afternoon before an Open House or other night school activity)
Scented Candles
Bath or Body products
Lotion (for after recess duty!)
Mall Gift Certificate
Movie Gift Certificate vouchers or booklets (give with some popcorn)
Fancy packaged coffee or tea


Hope this best of the best list helps you out!

This article originally appeared on my Ed site at IVillage then Geocities.