Thank you gift

Still looking for the perfect teacher gift? With everything else going on at the end of term, time is precious and it can be difficult to find the perfect way to say thank you to our children’s teachers. (You can read my advice on organising the last few weeks of the school year here).

How often have you grabbed mugs, candles or a generic bubble bath gift-pack from the supermarket in a last-minute rush? How many children do you see eagerly clutching a big bunch of flowers on the last day of school, knowing that teacher will be jetting off on a well-deserved break as soon as the final bell rings, leaving the flowers to die?

To help you get more organised at this busy time of year (and avoid cluttering poor teacher’s overflowing cupboard with yet another mug!), here is your go-to teacher gift list. I asked a number of teachers about the gifts they love to receive, and this is what they came up with! www.moreorganised.com/blog

10 teacher gifts that they will really love!

To help you get more organised at this busy time of year (and avoid cluttering poor teacher’s overflowing cupboard with yet another mug!), here is your go-to teacher gift list.  I asked the teachers that I know about the gifts they love to receive, and this is what they came up with:

A heartfelt thank you: The simplest gifts are the most thoughtful.  Ask your child to draw a thank you card to show their personal appreciation to their teacher, and take your time to come up with a heartfelt message. Andrea, a teacher in South London, explains “For me, a card with a personal message means just as much as any gift a parent can buy”. Claire agrees: “My best gifts have been words” she says. “It is lovely to receive a card, but when it includes words that give specific examples of how you have made a difference to their child, then you hold that close”.

Framed written quote "It takes a big heart to help shape little minds"

Framed poem or quote: Australian teacher Sue received this framed quote from a pupil.  She has taken it with her from class to class through the years. “It’s my most favourite gift ever!” she told me. Look on my Pinterest board for some ideas that you can copy and frame. Gain extra marks by getting your child to copy out the quote and decorate it.

Scrapbook or photo book: Compiling a small scrapbook of the class is not just a memory of that year’s children.  It’s a snapshot of your teacher’s life to be treasured for years to come. I am a huge fan of the Becky Higgins Project Life scrapbooking system, which helps you to easily and quickly compile memory books and albums for loved ones.

Coffee: Fill their mug without cluttering the cupboards – give them a gift card for their favourite coffee shop.

The gift of relaxation: Pick up a gift card towards a beauty treatment, massage or grooming session. For a bigger gift, club together with the whole class and buy teacher a well-deserved spa day. A thoughtfully put together basket of pampering treats and chocolates works too. Many teacher friends that I spoke to mentioned this as a favourite.

Celebrate their hobby: Find out what makes your teacher tick outside school. Claire’s favourite teacher gift was a garden centre gift card which she spent on a rose for her garden. “Every time it blooms I think of that pupil” she says. “His mum found out who my friends were and asked what made me happy. It was lovely that she went the extra mile”.

Alium

Stationery: Teachers often buy school supplies out of their own pockets.  Pay back their generosity and gift a voucher to a favourite stationery or book store.  Teacher can then choose whether to spend it on more supplies for the class, or treat themselves.

Books: Instead of giving teacher more clutter, how about donating a book for the class library? A cute message inside from your family can inspire pupils for years to come.

Gifts with meaning: Is there a particular interest or memory that your child shares with the teacher? This one might need more thought, but if you have time, brainstorm it with the other class mums. Teacher Zoe’s favourite teacher gift was from one of her history classes, who gave her two Pandora charms. One of the Brandenburg Gate and a tiny silver crown – both symbols that meant a lot to her and the class that year.

Your time: Time is precious, but also free. Volunteer your skills to your class teacher and help the school at the same time. The end of the year is a busy time at school, or offer to help setting up for next term.

What are you giving your children’s teachers this year?
Or if you are a teacher (thank you!) – what would you add to this list?