What do you buy for the teachers?

So the end of the school year is just around the corner. Our kids are about to finish another year and the most important person in their lives at school is about to take a well-deserved break. So what do you buy for the teachers?

Teachers.

As parents we often ask – how do they do it?

Coordinating a group of kids day in day out, following a school curriculum and managing to inspire so many different personalities, teaching them to think for themselves and helping them to understand the world around them is no easy task I am sure!

As a mum of three primary school kids, when we reach the end of the year, I like to consider what can we give to the teachers in our lives as a thank you for their time, encouragement and perseverance through out the year.

What do they want, what will they appreciate, what sort of gift conveys thoughtfulness and respect?

I figure that as teachers have so many students year in year out they are not going to remember what you gave them. Flowers die, chocolates and sweet stuff they probably won’t eat, you can only cope with so many knick knacks in your house and personal home made gifts are thoughtful but are they really going to keep them?

I asked a teacher friend recently who has received many chocolates, candles and flowers but she suggests something useful works best for her, not too personal, and a nice heartfelt message is what tops it off.

For me, pooling money together as a class makes more sense as the total sum means a substantial gift. It also means one less thing on our ‘to do’ list during the busiest time of the year.

A group gift still requires some thought.

What larger gift is best to give? Unless you know your teacher well and what past-times she or he has, it’s best to let them buy what they need. A gift card from a local store that offers a variety of options is a practical gift. They can spend at their own leisure on something they need or want. It’s a ‘play it safe’ option but it makes sense.

Don’t forget to add that personal touch that makes a gift special

For teachers, this means messages from their students. Let the kids type or hand write a note for their teacher. Ask them to show the teacher why they enjoyed being in their class. They might like to recall a memorable event that happened or just tell them why they are special. Even if they aren’t a favourite teacher encourage them to be positive and respectful.

Whether you opt to pool funds or do it yourself, I believe it doesn’t matter how much you spend (or even if you don’t spend anything at all) as the most treasured gift are words of thanks and appreciation.

If it’s the one thing you do for the end of the school year – get the kids to write a thank you for their teacher!

For me, the perfect combination is a group present of a gift card and that personal touch.

What about you? What do you do for your kids teachers? How do you manage teacher gift giving?

155 Comments

- - Frankiielot said
  - 06 Sep 2022
    6:56 pm
I get that it is their job but at the same time people have jobs and don’t do them very well so I think teachers who actually care about their students should be given a nice token of appreciation.
I love handmade cards but I think things like a food hamper would also be nice as they will actually get used!

- - mom134803 said
  - 04 Sep 2016
    7:12 am
I see some parents walk around with huge gifts to the teachers at the end of the year, but teachers do their job and get paid for it and it’s their boss who actually should show the appreciation to them….
That being said I’m happy to show some appreciation myself, A beautiful card written by the kids and a small thoughtful and practical gift to say thank you….which can be even a box of fresh eggs of our backyard chickens
- mom19782016 replied
  
  23 Mar 2019 , 1:11 pm
  My sentiments exactly! It’s their job, and don’t get me wrong – teachers have a hard job but its their job they’re doing. Unless they’ve gone above and beyond for your child in a special way they just get a handmade card from us.
- - mom81879 said
  - 30 Sep 2015
    7:25 pm
It’s something I’ve never thought about doing. I’ve never done it and I doubt I will ever do it. I don’t see the point

- - dannsbuild said
  - 22 Sep 2015
    11:16 pm
Its very good to know! Thanks for sharing this article!

- - mom94125 said
  - 05 Jan 2015
    5:40 pm
cards that is really it though lol

- - mom57808 said
  - 05 Nov 2014
    7:31 am
I find stickers and diarys are best

- - mom92217 said
  - 24 Oct 2014
    8:59 pm
Chocolates are great and a homemade card

- - mom93821 said
  - 12 Oct 2014
    1:11 pm
Interesting article. Home made goodies and cards by kids are always special.

- - mom94125 said
  - 09 Oct 2014
    12:50 am
just usually a christmas card with a nice message

- - mom57522 said
  - 27 Sep 2014
    10:20 am
We make homemade gifts to give with a thank you card.

- - rachaelchara said
  - 16 Sep 2014
    12:58 pm
Great article and interesting. I always buy my boys teachers, swimming teachers etc gifts. They do appreciate it.

- - pakeko said
  - 07 Sep 2014
    9:01 pm
My kids usually give white board markers and stickers with a letter saying what they loved about the year

- - mom93924 said
  - 06 Sep 2014
    9:36 am
Last year I received a small group pressie of a gift card but the most wonderful part was a large thank you card on which all the parents wrote a personal message of thanks. Definitely one to treasure.

- - tulips said
  - 23 Aug 2014
    10:49 pm
my kids like to bake goodies and wrap them up as a thankyou gift each year. I think it’s a bit more meaningful if they put in the effort too.

- - neddie said
  - 09 Aug 2014
    12:27 pm
We recently asked teachers at school what they would like and they said things that they can use in the classroom again because many of them spend their own money on stickers and rewards and things.

- - mom62141 said
  - 26 Jun 2014
    10:51 am
I think the idea of a thank you note is lovely idea

- - 3timesamum said
  - 23 Jun 2014
    5:24 pm
I’m sure a lovely hand made card is more than appreciated. Not sure about the class getting the teacher a present for doing their job and being paid to do their job.

- - cherz said
  - 19 Jun 2014
    2:12 pm
I am a mother of a school teacher daughter and don’t get me wrong she does appreciate the thoughtfulness with gifts but in saying that she has also passed on many a box of chocolates to her younger brother, (as she is watching her weight.) I also know that the heartfelt thank you and better still a little thank you story or message is the most treasured. If you wish to give a gift, homemade treats and cooking are more heartfelt and loving and even better when the child has participated in the preparing and cooking.

- - twinmum2 said
  - 31 May 2014
    8:57 pm
A group gift for a gift voucher at the local shopping mall or for female teachers for a spa treatment are always appreciated.

- - kazh said
  - 23 May 2014
    8:55 am
good information. thanks for sharing