Summer is apparently here (not sure anyone has told the weather though) and with it comes the myriad of events that we, as parents, are expected to attend. Sports days, dance shows, leavers assemblies, proms and balls, school fetes…you name it, it’s on the calendar and by hook or by crook we are expected to be there! My diary is buzzing with activity and we’re now flat out on a sprint to the finish. I can mentally see us all go running through the finish tape on 20th July hands in the air with relief that the school year is over and we can enjoy the Summer and the fun that this time of year brings. The end of the school year always brings a dilemma for me and probably for others and that comes in the form of teacher gifts. My son is in secondary school so I’m pretty sure I don’t have to send gifts in for his teachers anymore – he reliably informs me that this would be embarrassing so I can cross that one off the list! As for my daughter, she is in Reception so I think we have a good 6 more years of teacher appreciation goodies to provide. I know from friends and family members that are teachers that poorly thought out gifts that parents have just grabbed off the shelf during the weekly shop are not well received. It’s difficult because we rarely know these people, we don’t know their hobbies and their interests, we don’t know if they drink or like chocolate so how do we get them something thoughtful that they will enjoy? My other half doesn’t drink but regularly received bottles of wine from his boss and colleagues as Christmas gifts. Personally I thought this was great, free bottles of wine for me! But he never got the benefit and never received something for which he could be truly grateful. I think male teachers are definitely harder to buy for. As parents we regularly default to the bottle of wine as it’s straight forward and requires little thought. And therein lies the problem…surely with gifts it’s ‘the thought that counts’ so if we haven’t ‘thought’ then what’s the point? Is it not better to get our child to write their teacher a note to say thank you?
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t lie awake at night worrying about what to get the teachers for a gift this year, but it has got me thinking! So I thought I would share with you my favourite teacher appreciation gift ideas that I have found whilst trawling the internet, and believe me, there are thousands of ideas! Some of these are gifts to buy and some are gifts that you or your children can make. I have also included a few of my own products which if you like the idea and don’t have the time to make them yourself then you can always buy them from me ;-)!
- Pebble Road Studio Best Teacher Pebble Frame
So this is slightly pricey for a teacher gift but I think it’s great when people club together to get a teacher something extra special. I think this is a really unique and lovely gift. Click on the image for more info.
2. Heart bracelet
Thes leather strap heart bracelets are cute and simple and a lovely inexpensive gift. There are a number of different designs for teacher bracelets on Etsy but these are my favourites!
3. Personalised ‘Thank you Teacher’ Soy Scented Candle.
I love love love this candle! I have recently started making my own Soy candles and know only too well how hard it is to make a candle that both looks and smells good! I think the personalised label is fab too!
4. Star Wars ‘Yoda Best Teacher’ Mug
This one made me chuckle. I think it’s often more difficult to buy for male teachers – alcohol is always a favourite and also a bit unimaginative – so I thought this would certainly be popular for any Star Wars fan, male or female! It’s on sale on www.notonthehighstreet.com right now so click on the image to grab it while you can!
5. Teacher Challenges
These Teacher Challenges are a bit different and I reckon pretty useful for teachers. They vary from challenges for the teacher to do on their own to ones a whole class can do together. They are lots of fun and a great learning tool too.
6. Personalised Notebook
Everyone loves a bit of stationary and this personalised notebook set is just gorgeous. Perfect for planning!
7. Personalised Thank You Teacher Gift Book
The idea of giving a gift that your child can personalise is wonderful (if your child is one the teacher liked I guess!).
8. Gifts in a jar!
So I am probably a bit biased here but these are the best! They are my passion and my obsession and what I love to do. This Tea-riffic Teacher gift is a lovely glass jar filled with a selection of teas, coffees or hot chocolate, some biscuits and chocolates and a lovely handmade coffee cosy to keep your hot drink hot and stop your hands from burning! I can make these jars to order – I can do pamper jars, a bar in a jar, sweets and treats – you name it I can find a way to fit it in a jar. Contact me through my Facebook site for more information.
9. Letterboxes
A good friend makes these fantastic frames. They are bespoke and can be made in a variety of sizes – with or without lego figures. The words can be anything of your choice as long as they fit within the frame. They are brilliant value for money and make wonderful gifts. Contact is through her Facebook page.
10. Fingerprint Tree
So Pinterest is one of my favourite places to be and Free Printables are just brilliant! Who knew that you could print off so much free stuff! I have filled my walls with great pictures and quotes that cost me nothing but a cheap frame and some ink! Check out my Pinterest page to see all the great ideas I have found. This fingerprint tree is such a lovely idea as a cheap but meaningful gift from a whole class. It will take a bit of organisation from someone to get everyone’s fingerprints but would be a really wonderful keepsake for a special teacher.
So there you have it…those are my top 10! So get yourselves organised, don’t leave it until the last minute and then go off and enjoy all those end of term concerts, shows and assemblies…they’ll be all grown up and left school before you know it!
Nicx
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