No more "I HEART Teacher" mugs! And don't even think about anything apple...
By Haley Overland
Updated Apr 04, 2017“The best end-of-the year gift that I ever got was a letter from a parent who wrote me a lengthy note thanking me for everything that I had done to help her son throughout the school year. I get it out and read it every time that I have a bad day to remind me why I love teaching, and I also have a copy of it in my portfolio so that it is something that I could use in future interviews.”—Sandra I via Facebook
Many teachers don’t feel comfortable receiving gifts. But they love good, old-fashioned thank-you notes and letters. If you want to add an extra touch use these Grow A Flower thank-you cards ($18 for a pack of five) with seeds embedded in the paper, which once planted will sprout into wildflowers.
“My Mom taught in a less-affluent neighbourhood. Her favourite gift was always home-baked goods, because she could share it!”—@bothathome via Twitter
Teachers suggested including a recipe card with the baked goodies, which you can have your child decorate.
“My favorite gift is a potted plant; something that I can use in different places.”—@amandarmesser via Twitter
Many teachers said they loved getting greens for their homes or future classrooms. Have your child decorate a plant stick with his or her name to personalize it.
“DH loves getting things he can use in class like games, educational toys or other materials.”—@slhamelin via Twitter
Many teachers love gifts they can share with future classes. Mabel’s Labels’ Classroom Pack labels ($12) help teachers keep track of their goods and add a thoughtful touch to classroom-oriented gifts. As Mabel’s Labels’ co-founder Julie Cole reminds us, you “don’t want all your classroom supplies walking away do you?”
“Anything that was picked out by the student, not the parents. My favourite was a $1 rubber stamp a student bought with his allowance so I could use it with my next year’s class.”—Gail S-W via Facebook
“A little girl in my primary classroom came to me with a piece of paper folded up. When I opened it, it was a sketch that her mom had done for me (with her help of course), a landscape. They didn’t have much. It is in a frame hung in my entrance way of my home. So I guess, it is the homemade cards and things I love the most.”—Marlene A-B via Facebook
"My kids love to make them things and, as a teacher, I treasured them and still have them. Suncatchers, bookmarks, flowerpots with a flower or herbs in it decorated with beads and painted."—Holly Schwieger via Facebook
“At our school teachers do not take gifts. If parents really feel like giving the school has a fund you can donate to. A simple home made thank-you card telling the teacher of the donation is a great way to honour teachers.”—Kelly S. R. via Facebook
You can also let the teacher select the charity of her choice by giving her a gift card to the wonderful organization Canadahelps.org.
“I received a small piece of hand-thrown pottery. I was taking classes that year and the student knew how much I enjoyed it.”—@maman_2_4 via Twitter
"If they don't drink it they can re-gift it."—Samantha Edwards via Facebook
This was the by far the most popular teacher gift. You really can’t go wrong with a gift card or certificate. Some of the teachers’ favourite gift cards include Chapters, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, restaurants, malls, spas and movies.
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