Gift Ideas for your teacher

Do you start Christmas shopping early or do you wait until the last minute? I've always been an early shopper. I start around September and try to finish on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). Then I can enjoy the holidays and have several weeks for wrapping and decorating.

This lens is going to help you shop for your child's teacher. Don't foget her during the Christmas Season. Your child's teacher spends almost as much time with your child as you do and it is a great time of year to show your appreciation.

Remember, a teacher gift doesn't have to be expensive. It is the thought that counts! How many times did your mother tell you that??? Sometimes the smallest, simplest things are the best. Try filling a coffee mug with chocolates. She or he will enjoy the chocolates and still have the mug.

One of the best things you can do to show your appreciate to your childs teacher is to volunteer your time in the classroom. It doesn't have to be a lot of time, maybe an hour a week or two hours a month. But it must be something the teacher can depend on and plan on.

Find a beautiful box and put a big gorgeous bow on top with a note inside which tells the teacher how you are willing to volunteer some time in her classroom. On your note indicate you would like to volunteer some time and could they visit about what day would work out for you both. Or, you could say " I have Monday's free for about an hour in the morning and they are all yours". I'm sure you will know exactly how to indicate your intentions.

Or you could write a little poem:

I'm offering a gift of time

It comes with a smile of mine

Please accept this gift

And don't be miffed

Because this was hard to rhyme

Now, for you working moms I know this won't work. However, you could always ask if there is something you could do to help from home. If not, you need to go to plan B.

Did you know that teachers spend a lot of their own money buying things for the classroom? Yes, they do.

Here is a wonderful gift idea that will last for years to come. Have you ever thought of buying a magazine subscription that goes right to the classroom? There are so many wonderful books and magazines that your child's teacher would love to have, not only for this years class but for the classes to come. This truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

Here are some suggestions: The Childrens Highlights, The Scholastic books ( of which there are several ) and don't forget all of the Dr. Seuss books. Or ask your teacher if she has a specific need.

Most teachers have their own library in their classroom. Yes, there is a library for all students but most teachers also have several books right in the classroom at her disposal. So new books would always be welcomed.

Things you might not want to give as a gift to the teacher

There are a couple gifts you might not want to give to your child's teacher this year.

I use to live next door to an elementary school teacher and one day she invited me in for a cup of coffee. While visiting she said "come here, I want to show you something". We went into her bedroom and she opened the bottom 3 drawers of her dresser and to my amazement they were crammed full of body lotions, creams and colognes. She couldn't live long enough to use all these products.

Lotions and colognes are very difficult gifts to purchase for anyone. A scent that you might love could drive another person to tears.

If you must buy this type of gift make it an anti-bacterial lotion that she can use in the classroom.

Hit the dollar store

The dollar stores are all around us. There are usually several within a block of each other. This is the perfect place to find a decorative box or basket and fill it with school items for a very special Christmas gift.

You can fill your box with lots of goodies. Everything from the practical to the whimsical. Hand sanitizers and kleenex are always a must in the classroom and teachers can't keep enough on hand. Also, sanitizer wipes for the desks and door knobs. You could also get pencils and big erasers and glue. The ideas will be endless once you start filling that basket or box. And what a nice surprise to see all of the useful items that these teachers use everyday.

You'll see, she will love finding all the goodies you have tucked in your pretty little basket.

From $5 to $$$

I know this isn't a unique idea but there are so many wonderful options with gift certificates. Especially if you are a working mom and don't have a lot of time or energy. I've been there and done that! Gift certificates come in so many different amounts and types.

Here are a few examples:

1. How about to a local coffee house where a $5 certificate would buy a great cup of coffee and a couple of homemade cookies or muffins.

2. Don't forget Walmart, Sam's Club or Meijers or any of your local stores. Great gift cards that the teacher can get something for herself or something that she has been wanting for the classroom.

3. Gift card for a manicure or pedicure. Let the teacher pamper herself. She deserves to get pampered. Long days in school teaching and caring for your children. Show your child's teacher she is appreciated.

And, don't forget to put the gift card in a pretty package. Please do take the time to make it special. A pretty little box with a beautiful bow will really put the WOW in your gift.

Tea or Coffee?

There are so many wonderful drink sets that you can buy. They usually come with a mug or two along with several varieties of coffee, tea or even chocolate drinks.

So, if you know your child's teacher loves hot chocolate....find a set that has pretty mugs along with several different flavors of chocolate drink mix. If she loves tea....find a set that might have a teapot along with tea cups and several varieties of tea. This is someting she can enjoy in the break room at school or at home when she wants to unwind and relax. Coffee is a huge success right now, just look at all the coffee houses. I'm sure there will be the perfect set if your child's teacher is a coffee nut!

Everytime she takes a sip she will be greatful for your child's gift to her.

This gift comes in the form of a gift certificate but you can also add to it. Buy your movie ticket gift certificate at the local theatre and then get to the dollar store or grocery store and pick up some movie theatre food.

Get your gift box and line it with tissue paper (Christmas colors please) then fill the box with milk duds, M & M's, chocolate covered raisins and maybe a bag of popcorn, fritos or pretzels. Get as much candy as you wish and then lay the movie tickets on top.

Make sure your gift package is pretty and give the gift of a movie night.