Great gifts for teachers

“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.