12/2/06 TEACHER APPRECIATION GIFT IDEAS
Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman
I might add that I believe most teachers already have quite enough coffee mugs, vases, hankies, key chains, decorations and trinkets with apples on them, especially if they have been teaching for several years. So unless you know the teacher collects apple trinkets, try not to give a gift that will end up at a yard sale or as a donation to charity.
Before giving chocolate, nuts or sugary sweets, find out if they can eat them. Some people are allergic to chocolate or nuts, diabetic, trying to lose weight, or would just rather eat healthier foods. Perfumes are not a good gift, since many people are allergic to them or might not choose the scent you would. Hand lotions that are lightly scented or without scent would probably be fine in most cases. Of course, if you know your child's teacher's favorite perfume, then it would be a fine gift. When teachers were surveyed, most teachers said they did not consider gift certificates impersonal, but loved receiving them.
There are so many good people who serve us throughout the year, but are forgotten when it comes time for showing appreciation or giving gifts. How about the principal, secretaries, cafeteria staff, the teacher's aide, the P.E. teacher? Then there are the nursery workers, Sunday school teachers, the Awana leader, band leader, private piano teacher - and the list goes on! Parents can't possibly buy or make gifts for all of these people, unless you make something like identical inexpensive Christmas ornaments in assembly line fashion.
I heard of one mother who wanted to do something special for people in volunteer positions, who are often completely overlooked when it comes time to give out thanks, such as Sunday School teachers or nursery workers at church. So each year she and her husband try to invite their children's Sunday School teachers and their families to dinner in their home to thank them for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. She said it never ceases to amaze her that she always hears comments like, "No one has ever done anything like this for me before and I've been teaching Sunday School for twelve years." If you can not invite them all to dinner, a nice "Thank You" note or card given at the holidays or the end of the school year would go a long way in showing your appreciation.
If dealing with such a large number of potential gift recipients is just too much to think about, but you still want to remember each one in some special way, think about donating a book to the school or church library in the names of all the people who have been part of your child's life this year. Then give each person a card telling them why they are so important to you and your child. Let them know of the book donation and how you hope this gift will help other children as they have helped your child.
It's the thought that counts. Showing appreciation to teachers should be an expression of our sincere thanks to the dedicated people who have given of themselves to our children or touched our lives in a positive way. Remember that gift giving is not a competition to see which child brings the most expensive gift for his teacher. Explain that to your children as well.
The following are suggestions for helpful and often inexpensive teacher appreciation gifts for "Teacher Appreciation Week," the holidays, or the end of the school year. If the cost for what you'd like to give is too high, get on the phone and find one or more other families to give an extra special gift as a joint effort. Most of these suggestions are not that expensive, especially the first one.
1) A heartfelt thank you letter or handwritten card from the parent (and/or student), telling what you enjoyed about the year or how you appreciated the teacher's input into your child's life. This seems to be one of the best and most appreciated gift ideas, and could be given alone or with a small gift.
2) Gift certificate to a Christian book store
3) Nuts
4) Homemade fudge
5) Pencils printed with "Best Teacher in the World," the teacher's name or "Mrs. Dye's Class"
6) Decorated gingerbread men
7) Flavored coffee, hot chocolate or tea mixes.
8) An apron, possibly that you made.
9) A candle
10) Anything for the classroom: games, construction or other paper, books, rulers, masking tape, Scotch tape, rubber bands, things to decorate or theme objects.
11) Pot holders or placemats - plain or quilted (maybe start planning for next year)
12) Dried fruit
13) A gift certificate to a Bath store.
14) Shoebox sized plastic storage boxes for classroom supplies or home use.
15) Houseplant that you started and established earlier in the year or one you bought. Pothos is a good hardy plant that lives through most anything and does well even without a lot of light.
16) A homemade mix in a jar, where you layer the dry ingredients, and attach the recipe (Muffins, cookies, five bean soup, etc.)
17) Homemade Christmas cookie assortment
18) Chocolate dipped pretzels.
19) Chocolate anything, if you know they aren't allergic to chocolate
20) Painted glass ball Christmas ornament or another type ornament. These are fun for teachers to take out each year and remember students from years past. Write your child's name and the year on them, if possible.
21) Rubber stamps for class papers (100%!, Good Job!, Excellent!, Improvement!, etc.)
22) Rubber stamps for the teacher's own personal use
23) A massage (several parents might join together for this)
24) Stationery or note cards
25) Postage stamps
26) Book about birds, flowers, houseplants, science experiments, riddles, jokes
27) Silk flower arrangement
28) Decorations for various holidays
29) Gift certificate to a school supply store
30) Pretty cardboard storage boxes. You could cover sturdy shoe boxes and lids with fabric, wallpaper or contact paper or buy some boxes at a craft store.
31) Home grown herbs and spices -- Children can help with this.
32) Fresh fruit basket, though it's best to give too many perishable gifts, in case they get more fruit than they can use.
33) A coupon for a main course, dessert or complete dinner - to be delivered in January or whenever you say. Then be sure to communicate with the teacher and deliver when the time comes.
34) Handmade gift tags for all year round - birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas. Punch a hole in one corner and add a few rolls of thin ribbon to tie on the tags.
35) Devotional book, music tape or CD
36) A tape or CD from Focus on the Family http://www.family.org
37) Housecleaning - a joint gift of several families going together to cover the cost.
38) A list of cute kids' quotes, possibly made into a booklet
39) As you mix up cookie dough, mix a very large batch in a clean dishpan, and give some of the dough as gifts. Simply roll the unbaked dough into logs, wrap in several layers of plastic wrap, then in cellophane or gift wrap and tie at both ends. Keep chilled. Or if you freeze it, the dough will stay cold for several hours. I made the Best Ever Gingerbread Cookie recipe and gave the dough as gifts one year. Later it can be sliced and baked.
40) If you have an herb garden and have dried your herbs, a sampling of a few different herbs from your garden would be a very nice gift.
41) If you know of a more expensive item that your teacher is in need of, several families could go together to purchase that item as a joint gift. Give other parents a call and see if they might like to join you in that purchase.
42) Cloth napkins or paper ones (find out teacher's kitchen colors).
43) Kitchen towels - possibly with an embroidery design - made much quicker with the embroidery machines these days! (Find out kitchen colors)
44) A gift certificate to the grocery store. Now that's one everyone can use!
45) Stickers!
46) Gift certificate for a video rental.
47) Find out your teacher's hobbies, and purchase an item she could use, or give a gift certificate to a hobby store.
48) Popcorn and a flavored salt sampler.
49) Hand lotions with very light or no fragrance
50) Teachers are on their feet for long hours. Several families could go together to give her a foot massager.
51) At times teaching can be stressful. Several families could join in and give a hand held Homedics massager.
52) Homemade candies
53) Concert voucher (for 2)
54) Movie theater passes (for 2)
55) James Dobson's book, All About Boys - http://www.family.org He is currently working on a similar book about girls!
56) A snow globe nativity scene. You will find the best bargains after Christmas, so you might want put this on next year's gift list.
57) A small nativity scene for the schoolroom, her home, or both. Again after Christmas sales are best.
58) Have a small trophy or marble block made saying, "Best Teacher of the Year Award - According to Your Third Grade Class" Call the trophy store for prices. You might be surprised at how little one would cost.
59) Homemade quick breads (Cranberry-orange, date-nut bread, banana nut bread, etc.)
60) Homemade whole wheat-honey bread or homemade sticky buns! Yum!
OTHER CHRISTMAS TIDBITS
Quote ~ Jesus gave history a new beginning. In every land He is at home ... His birthday is kept across the world. His death-day has set a gallows against every city skyline. -- George Buttrick
Deer in the Yard ~ Karen Coughlin in Florida shared this interesting link - http://www.pelorian.com/deer.html
Thanks to Carol Vega in Pennsylvania for writing the following Christmas Ideas!
Snow Scenes ~ Fun and simple craft for kids. Recycling too. You will need: Old Christmas Greeting Cards, White glue, small brush or Q-tips, salt (or glitter).
Select a card. Tear off the second page of the card. Have glue in a small cup or bowl. Have children use a small brush or Q-tip to brush the glue over certain parts of the scene that is printed on the card. Next sprinkle salt or glitter (or both) over the glued picture. This will make the pictures look snowy. Kids can hang these in their bedroom windows, give them away, write a note on the back for a new special card for someone or glue them onto a wrapped package for a special package decoration. (This is a great way to jazz up brown bag wrap or solid colored paper!)
Twig Snowflakes: A Kids' Craft for Outdoor Decorating ~ For ages 3 and up. You will need: Assorted twigs: broken into 3"to 5" pieces, 2" foam balls, Spray snow or white spray paint.
Gently stick enough twigs into each foam ball to cover it thoroughly. Parents: Take the snowflakes outside onto newspaper or an old plastic tablecloth and spray paint them white on all sides. Once dry, tie string to one twig and make a loop. Hang these on an outside evergreen tree. This sounds so simple but they really look great on a tree! And your child can say "I did that!"
Theme Gift Baskets ~ Some fun ways to give a bigger gift of both store-bought and home-made gifts is to make up a gift basket. You can get baskets all year round when on sale, find them at yard sales or thrift stores or re-use ones given to you that sit in your attic. You could also use a Christmas stocking to hold your gift instead of a basket!
Consider pairing:
- A scented candle and bubble bath (homemade bath salts, etc.), and CD or tape of relaxing music (The dollar store has these!)
- Cookie Recipe book, cookie cutters and cookie decorations
- Joke book and whoopee cushion (have your kids print up some little cards with their favorite jokes on them and tape these little cards all over the outside of the package or basket. Add the child's name below!)
- family video, cola, snacks, and popcorn
- Paperback book & box of cocoa (you could also add a homemade no-sew fleece blanket)
- Calendar, diary and nice pen.
- Young girl/Teen: Hair scrunchies. Fun hair accessories, hairbrush & kid's shampoo
- Bubble bath, fun- shaped bath soap or spray foam and a bath tub toy (for child)
- Art Basket: Coloring book, crayons, markers, watercolors, paint brushes and paper.
- Disposable camera or film and photo album
- Desk organizer full of paper clips, etc., calendar, and a bulletin. (Fill the calendar with family birthdays and events. Add a few fun photos and tacks to the bulletin board.)
- Coffee-lover: Nice large mug, coffee packets, or mixes, chocolate covered spoons, bag of mini marshmallows, a few candy canes. (Try the dessert coffee recipe below. Put it in a nice jar from the dollar store! Add a tag around the neck with the instructions for preparation!)
No-Sew Fleece Blanket ~ Choose polar fleece in cute patterns at a fabric or craft store. Baby blankets require about ¾ of a yard, you'll want a yard or more for adults and older children. You can make a heavier blanket by layering two fabric panels or a lighter-weight blanket by using one layer only. Cut about 2" strips on the edges and tie them together to add fringe. They don't fray, even with washing.
Potpourri Topiaries ~ Easy to make, yet a very nice decoration and gift! You will need: Clay pot (any size), foam ball (approximately the same size as the width of the pot), Long twig (approx. 3 times the height of the container, Craft (tacky) glue or glue gun & glue. Bag of potpourri, Floral foam and Spanish moss.
Parent: Use a knife to slightly sharpen one end of the twig. Glue a piece of floral foam into the clay pot. Then glue the blunt end of the twig down into the foam. Place the foam ball onto the pointed end of the twig, allowing the twig point to pierce the ball. Remove and add some glue and replace the ball onto the twig. Glue some Spanish moss into the pot to cover the floral foam. Open the bag of potpourri and allow the child to glue pieces all over the ball, overlapping when necessary to cover the entire ball.
Make a festive bow from holiday ribbon and glue at the bottom of the ball. This can be left like this or if you hope for it to last longer, add a spray fixative or sealer onto the covered ball and the twig. If you still want the aroma of potpourri, you can add fragrance oil to the Spanish moss in the pot. Note: You could also use a plastic plant pot, but add some stones to the bottom before your plant foam for weight! This way it is not top-heavy!
Unique Holiday Towel Set ~ For a cute Christmas present for grandparents, an addition to a kitchen gift basket, or to decorate your own home, try this cute idea! Buy a plain white tea towel from the dollar store or other discount store. You can also make cloth napkins and potholders. To decorate, dip your child's foot in brown paint. Stamp it onto the towel for the reindeer's face. Next using tan (or yellow) paint use handprints for antlers. Thumbprints in red make great noses and the tips of pinky fingers dipped in black make the eyes. This idea would even work on a white sweatshirt if you used fabric paint. (Once dry, iron it to make it permanently set.)
Another Great Sweatshirt Decoration ~ Buy a solid, dark colored sweatshirt in the size of the gift recipient. Navy and royal blue, green, or black all work well. Gather together all your white buttons! You may need to buy a large bag of white buttons. Show your child how to lay out the buttons onto the sweatshirt to make a tree shape. Make a few trees in different sizes. Add a line of buttons along the bottom to make the snow-covered ground. You may also add your very smallest white buttons as snow falling by placing them here & there above and around the trees. To add the buttons, you will need a no-sew fabric glue. This makes it simple and safe for the kids. It would take too long to sew that many buttons! These look really neat when done.
Decorative Candles at a Fraction of the Cost ~ These are great gifts. Make a set of three different sizes to sit together or just add one to a gift basket! Buy plain solid colored fat pillar candles in different heights. I like them white but any color will work. You will also need buttons (all different sizes) but all the same color as the candle. Simply glue buttons, varying different sizes, onto the candle, starting at the bottom. Only glue them 1/3 to 1/2 the way up. The top line of buttons should be in a wave pattern or at different heights. (This looks better than stopping them all at the exact same level.) They look really nice and the glossier buttons catch the light of the candle and shimmer when the candle is burning. Make green candles with all green buttons and red candles with all red buttons. My favorite is all white candles with white buttons. Try it and see which you like best!
Merry Christmas. ladies, and God bless you and your family!
Lois
The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more. You may receive this free bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person to Lois at [email protected]. New subscribers will receive a "Start-Up Kit."
-- To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: [email protected]