What are Some Good Gift Ideas for a Teacher?

I think if you are kind of close to your teacher, a great gift would be an engraved pen. It's something they can keep at their desk and use often, and having it engraved will definitely add to the sentimental value.

I have a great deal of respect for teachers, especially when they have demonstrated being a really great one. But anyone willing to work hard with children for the little pay in return, deserves respect. That's why I enjoy giving gifts to my children's teachers - so they know that they are appreciated. I know they don't expect it and that they would never play 'favorites' because of it.

I am a mom of three and have been teaching for quite a few years! I have always appreciated their teachers and tried to put thought into their gifts, either really nice items, bottles of wine or gift cards or something they would enjoy with their little kids. I know the kind of effort that goes into their job.

If you appreciate it, then let them know. Say it, write it or send a heartfelt gift. It's not the size of the gift that matters. Some of the best gifts I ever received from students are beautiful letters or cards written by the parent about how their child has been so happy with me etc. Also I received a card this year that a donation of classroom supplies had been made in my name to a class in a poor country. Along with that were hand-painted ornaments by the child (young kid) and handmade photo cards by the mom. Wow. I was so impressed by the thought and effort.

The size or type of gift never stays in my mind after the season and would never affect the way I thought of a child or family. It's just something you appreciate. Also even though it can be a bit over the top I have to admit that gift cards are great. It means that I get to take my kids out to Timmie's or the movies or for dinner or treat myself to something at Chapters. It does rock but I realize not all families can afford to send gift cards. Even the smaller $10 cards are appreciated.

Although I love chocolate, it doesn't love me. I really don't like getting a dozen huge boxes of chocolate as I am trying to be healthier with what I eat. I have sometimes sent chocolate when I don't know what else to do but in the future would now make the smaller gifts (for french teachers/librarians) a simple $10.00 gift card for books or coffee. Everyone can use those. Also the homemade cards made and decorated by the students are adorable and really warm my heart.

This year I did receive an extremely generous gift card that I felt a bit funny accepting but realized would have caused an insult if I gave it back. They are a family that has a lot of respect for teachers and are always so polite and respectful. I really appreciate their gift and the respect they show me.

In the future chocolate will be a no-no from me and I may drop hints that I don't want any. How do I do that tactfully?

Gifts are fine. Most likely greatly appreciated by the teachers. The art of giving is to show appreciation. But what ever happened to giving a nice healthy shiny red apple?

well nothing much to say but fortunately it was all good ideas. there's no more special gift that you can give to your teacher than a very special birthday card and a hug. we should always remember that teachers are not only second mothers but also a person who will mold you to a better someone.

The pre-school assistant teacher wrapped the holiday gift (an art work finished by each kid in the class) to my son in black paper while others in colorful paper. I have given her $30 for her birthday and was going to give her a gift again for the year-end. Buy the black paper wrap choked my heart. I wonder if I still should give her any holiday gift.

A gift can be anything. I enjoy giving, and I give gifts for every holiday and any occasion that comes to mind. Not expensive gifts, but always thoughtful. A card, a cup of coffee, homemade gift baskets, a gift card, or a hug and a thank you can express one's gratitude. I try to be creative and personalize gifts whenever possible.

I think gifts from the heart relate their meaning and are much more thoughtful. Sometimes, it is the gift of my time. Teachers are a blessing to me and my children, and in return I want to bless our teachers!

If you are concerned about favoritism, you can always give "from" or "on behalf" of the students or parents. Better yet, give anonymously! Heartfelt giving does not desire recognition!

I am a teacher myself, have been for about three years. I think it is disgusting that people would think giving a gift would cause unfairness or favoritism in the class. It is human nature to get along with some people really well and others not so well, but in a good teacher's classroom, no one should be able to tell there is a favorite- all children should be treated fairly.

For Christmas this year I gave my kid's teachers these Key Finders that I got online and they all love them! With most teachers being women, that means most teachers have purses and keys, so this is a perfect, practical gift and they're reasonable, too!

Really? Stop being so "PC" and say thank you for what they do.

Twenty-plus kids, six hours a day -- how hard is it to say thank you? If you are worried that a gift may cause favoritism, that really says a lot about you.

If your child used more than normal of any classroom item (tissue, hand sanitizer, erasers) that would make a great gift for the teacher. You could also check their wish list for the beginning of the year and give something off of that list.

I have never met a shallow teacher who was only worried about what they get, or how much it cost. I have given teachers a large chocolate bar and a little bit of my time to cut out something or make copies.

Everyone likes to hear thank you. You are only limited by your imagination, not your wallet. Cover a can with paper or paint and put a dollars worth of crayons/pencils in it. Or a nice smelling hand sanitizer. Really easy and will not cause any "problems".

When students give gifts to teachers it may amount to favoritism especially expensive gifts. some students may not have gifts so it will make them feel bad.

I was a preschool teacher and I had a class room of 16 three year olds.

One Christmas I received a lot of gift certificates from families. They usually were around $50 each. I live in rural Iowa and we all don't have a lot of extra money but I worked so hard all year and felt so under appreciated from my boss (lack of raise in two years + only $8/hr with ten hour days) that having these parents give so much really touched my heart.

I had two children at home ages three and five. We lived in a one room trailer with no kitchen and sometimes during the winter, no running water. I didn't have any family nearby or friends that would come over, and their dad ran off a year before. I was a lonely poor single mother putting on a show everyday just to try and get by. But no one knew this.

That Christmas, I was able to take my children to go and do things because of the gift certificates and gift cards from the parents. Looking back now, I am thankful for what I have and I am very thankful for all of those parents who gave a little more and made our Christmas special.

I have never told anyone this before.

I guess what I am trying to say is that sometimes it is not about what you give but letting them know how much you care and if you are more well off, then giving them $25 to $50 isn't a big thing to you, but a huge thing to them. 'Tis the season for giving. Merry Christmas everyone.

I have been a teacher for 10 years and I am pretty surprised at some of the comments I have read here.

To say that you feel it might affect the neutrality or fairness is just unbelievable to me. We are teachers... our job is to teach children.... whether we receive gifts or not!

My family always gave gifts to the teachers I had growing up! It's a personal choice and some of the most precious "gifts" given to me were the ones made by my students, but I appreciate each and every gift I have received.

It is a blessing to be a teacher and I don't think the general public realizes how much money comes out of our pocket every year.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with offering a teacher an end of year gift, Christmas gift, etc. and now as a parent, I absolutely give my children's teachers gifts.

Regarding the neutrality issue of giving gifts to teachers.... Lots of other professions have started to ban the receipt of gifts because it could affect neutrality and fairness or just the appearance of neutrality/fairness. I'm thinking of doctors, lawyers, police officers, even bank auditors. These people used to be able to accept gifts from their clients, the community, or the people they help, but they can't anymore -- or at least many of them can't. I wonder if it's just a matter of time before teachers join this wave. I realize teachers do great work and are undercompensated, but I wonder if gift giving by the students/parents is the right way to show proper appreciation?

my oldest just "graduated" preschool, and i've been pretty surprised at the gifts that parents give teachers. i always thought that $10-$15 was a pretty generous gift, but i have friends that spend upwards of $50 for elementary school teachers. although our teachers deserve to be rewarded generously, i think it turns into a huge competition among parents. it makes it hard for parents who may not be able to afford such generous gifts!

End of year gifts seem pretty common, as do winter break gifts. My son's school has a teacher appreciation week. Lots of times, parents will combine funds to purchase the teacher a gift at the end of the year, so there's not favoritism involved and the gift comes from all parents and students.

I note that the middle school teachers do not generally receive gifts, but my brother is a music teacher at a high school, and his students always have given him end of the year gifts. I guess it varies.

Do students regularly get their teachers gifts these days? When I went to school (back in the day ;)) I don't think it was common. Maybe gift giving is just more common these days, but I'd feel like it might affect the neutrality that a teacher should maintain among the students.