Appreciating Teachers

Celebrate Teachers With Thoughtful Gifts

Skip the apple-themed knick-knacks and try these winners instead.

The holidays are a perfect time to show your child's teachers how much you appreciate all they do. So what do teachers really want? Favorite gifts cited were candles, plants, candy, and fruit baskets, but we've gathered up some even better — and sometimes cheaper — ideas that are sure-fire teacher winners and heart-warmers.

Write From the Heart
It may seem simple, but a poem or letter of thanks from your child is a gesture that's truly appreciated. Have him tell a story about a special moment during the school year or about what school would be like without a favorite teacher. As for you, consider writing a letter to the principal lauding a teacher's good work and mailing a copy to that teacher.
Get Together and Give
Get parents and children of a grade (or even several!) together to work up a sweat while doing something nice for teachers. Organize a free car wash just for teachers in the school, or clean and spruce up the teacher break room with wildflowers and fresh-baked goodies. If parents can volunteer in the classroom and take over for a few hours, put together a luncheon for all the teachers so they can really sit down and relax for awhile together.
Gifts From the Class
Again and again, when asked what holiday gifts meant the most to them, teachers answered, "something handmade by the class," whether it be a poster with every child's handprint under a "thank you" banner, cookies made by tiny hands, or a simple framed class photo signed by the children.
Give to the Classroom
Many teachers pay for school supplies out of their own pockets, so a gift basket filled with colorful pens, paper clips, post-its, stickers, stamps, and other office goodies is always a favorite gift. Calendars and any items that help the teacher stay organized are also great.
Make It Personal
Teachers have lives outside the classroom and many of them have hobbies and collections. Find out what activities your child's teacher participates in after school and really show them you care about them as people, adding a snow globe to a growing collection, giving a skein of pretty yarn to a knitter, or a box of golf balls to a golfer.
Treat Teachers Like Royalty
Let teachers know that you appreciate all those long hours on their feet and at their desks by giving them the treats they may not give themselves. A pedicure or massage is a great gift. Get parents to chip in for a day at a local spa, tickets to the theater, or a gift certificate to a first-rate restaurant so he can really escape the stresses of school life.

From the Mouths of Children

A first grade teacher collected well known proverbs. She gave each child in her class the first half of a proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders, but there are some good ones. Nonetheless, their insight may surprise you.

Better to be safe than......................................................... Strike while the................................................................... It's always darkest before................................................... Never underestimate the power of...................................... You can lead a horse to water but...................................... Don't bite the hand that..................................................... No news is.......................................................................... A miss is as good as a......................................................... You can't teach an old dog new.......................................... If you lie down with dogs, you'll.......................................... Love all, trust...................................................................... The pen is mightier than the............................................... An idle mind is..................................................................... Where there's smoke there's.............................................. Happy the bride who.......................................................... A penny saved is................................................................ Two's company, three's...................................................... Don't put off till tomorrow what.......................................... Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and.......... There are none so blind as.................................................. Children should be seen and not......................................... If at first you don't succeed................................................ You get out of something only what you............................ When the blind leadeth the blind.........................................

punch a 5th grader bug is close Daylight Savings Time termites how? looks dirty impossible Mr. math stink in the morning me pigs the best way to relax pollution gets all the presents not much the Musketeers you put on to go to bed you have to blow your nose Stevie Wonder spanked or grounded get new batteries see in the picture on the box get out of the way