Beyond the Mug: Holiday Gifts for Teachers

With Christmas just around the corner you’re going to need to start crossing things off your list. If you’re going to buy your child’s teacher a little something to show your appreciate for all their hard work (and this teacher really think you should), here are a few things that they’ll enjoy because there is no more cupboard space left for one more ‘#1 Teacher’ mug.

Gift Cards for Supplies

We spend a lot of money on supplies. So much so, that our spouses have considered taking second jobs. We look for deals but Frankly, even with a great sale, we are spending a significant portion of our pay checks on our classrooms. We want it to look nice, and we want the students to have the latest and greatest books to read. We also want to them to have nice materials to create all those keepsakes they bring home to you over the years. The school doesn’t tend to stock all the materials we need for our latest Pinterest project. A small amount on a gift card to an office supply store, a dollar store or even Target could get us halfway to a class Christmas art project.

Prizes for the Prize Bin

You don’t have to run out and buy us a fancy green car (unless you want to). But, the small toy version of this car is a fantastic prize for a little boy or girl who’s done a great job. Just like the rest of us, kids need to be motivated (or bribed) sometimes. Have you ever bought yourself a latte for a job well done? Have you ever bought yourself a ridiculously expensive purse after a particularly rough week at work (just me?) It’s the same principle. These little rewards keep our classroom going and can cost a fortune.

Coffee

If you think your kids can give you a run for your money, imagine what it’s like to have a full classroom of little ones all day, every day. Teaching is a lot of things, but it’s never easy. As cute as they are, they aren’t all angels. , a teacher needs to survive in a classroom where she is greatly out-numbered. Coffee would be one of those survival tools. Treat your child’s teacher to some fine coffee but , skip the mug.

Sharpies

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a teacher that does not have a sharpie collection. We hoard them, and use them for only our most special projects. A teacher’s eyes will light up upon receiving a package of sharpies, just like a child’s upon receiving a toy. These pricey little markers are to teaching, what a stethoscope is to medicine; totally necessary.

Wine

It’s no secret that teaching can be a stressful profession. There are many rewards, of course, but the stresses can sometimes get to us. A nice bottle of wine tells a teacher, “I’m sorry my kid can be a jerk sometimes. Have a drink or four on me.” From a teacher who’s been there, there needs to be a few more of these under every teacher’s tree.