As Christmas rolls around, our gift list can be a mile long. We’ve got family members, friends and possibly neighbors to send gifts to. One person that often gets overlooked, despite the importance of their indirect relationship to your family, is your child’s teacher. This is the man or woman who educates your child five days a week for at least seven hours a day. While this does not mean you need to purchase a large-ticket item for him or her, it would be nice to present them with a small token of your appreciation for their efforts.
* No person can deny a homemade baked item, like banana nut bread or fresh cookies and muffins. If you are already in a baking frenzy making cookie or brownie plates for colleagues and neighbors, purchase a small holiday tin and put some of these sweets in. Tie up with a bow and have your child present them to their teacher before school lets out for the winter holidays.
* Write a handwritten letter on nice Christmas letterhead praising your child’s teacher for the tremendous job she has done with your own child. Point out specific occasions when you felt your child’s teacher excelled at her job and let her know that you appreciate all the hard work she does for the school and for her classroom.
* Instead of rushing out to buy a card, supply your child with some construction paper, markers, glitter and glue (if they are old enough) and have them create a personalized card of their own for their teacher. Have your child write a small thank-you note inside.
* If you know your child’s teacher drinks coffee, buy a large coffee mug and fill it with chocolate-covered espresso beans or small packages of different flavored coffees. You can also put a small $5 or $10 gift card to the local coffee shop inside.
* Maybe your child’s teacher loves to read? Get her a paperback copy of one of the N.Y. Times Bestsellers or a small gift certificate to a local book store.
* Perhaps your child’s teacher loves new fashions or decorating. Why not get her the gift that keeps on giving: a magazine subscription. Nowadays, one-year subscriptions can be as low as eight or nine dollars for a year’s worth of magazines.
* If your child’s teacher is a movie buff, get her two tickets to the local cinema and a gift certificate for some popcorn and a drink.
* If you are friends with some of the other parents, why not join forces and chip in for a larger gift together. You could get her a gift certificate to one of her favorite department stores or a bookstore.
* Teachers have very little time for themselves during the normal class day, so let them know that, as a parent, you will volunteer a few hours of your time one day to give the teacher a short break. Perhaps you can speak to the kids about your line of work or teach them a new craft or song.
* Unfortunately, teachers are underpaid and overworked, so they are usually quite stressed. For just a few dollars, you can get your child’s teacher a gift certificate at a local salon or beauty school. She can use the money towards a pedicure, manicure, facial or massage.
