If you have school-aged children then I apologise right now for taking time out of your busy schedule today.
What is it about this time of year? I have to triple check notes from school and cross-check them with my fridge calendar and computer calendar to make sure I remember a) whether a costume is required; b) whether a plate of food is required; c) whether my presence is required; or d) all of the above.
Which is why I’m grateful for two things:
1. The end-of-school madness all ends this Friday for me (and yes, that brings on a whole lot of other madness).
2. I’m so glad that this year we have had a super organised class parent rep, Kate, who stepped in with the offer to do a collection for the three teachers and buy them something other than a bath bomb (which was THE teacher gift of 2001).
Now, I realise that not all classes will be blessed with a Kate or you might actually like to give a gift just from you … Especially if you are one of those incredibly talented crafty people (I’m not … can you tell?!).
So, I thought I’d kick off Styling You’s 2011 What You Really Want for Christmas series with some suggestions for your teachers. Teachers deserve anything that gives them a glimpse of relaxation after a year of putting up with not only your child’s snotty nose but 20-plus others.
Here’s what I prescribe:
1. Lindt Teddy Bear at Target $5.50 | 2. Giesen Sauvignon Blanc at Dan Murphy’s $14.99 | 3. Lanolips tinted lip balm SPF 15 in Sunshine $13.95 | 4. kikki.K Words to Inspire journal $19.95 | 5. Verily necklaces $39.95 each | 6. Essentially Innoxa Restore body souffle $12.95 | 7. Burt’s Bees Head to Toe kit $24.95 | 8. Mix Apparel at Coles scarf $15
What you are giving your child’s teacher. Do you do a collection? Or make something? And if you are a teacher what do you like to receive?
Comments 37
If I were the teacher, I would choose that head to toe kit.Love it!!!
Author
Yes! and some head to toe pampering would be called for!
Okay, let me out myself, I do work for them… but, an Officeworks gift card that says ‘to my teacher’, complete with an apple and bite marks is also a super-cute and very relevant gift idea. http://www.officeworks.com.au/giftcards
Author
Haha – I’ll give you that one!
I’m a teacher and I have been spoiled and am very lucky. My two favourite gifts are visa/Amazon gift vouchers (so I can finally get that gadget I’ve been eyeing off on Amazon) and one of my students that painted and framed me a picture. It hangs in our kitchen and everyone always comments on it. So, so special!
Author
Oh, I love hearing stories like that … show that your kids really “got” you.
As a teacher, I love anything that looks like it’s had some thought put into it (sorry, but bath bombs don’t really count! lol). My favourite ever gift though is a weird-looking model guitarist made out of wood and wire… it’s awesome because it’s so different! Wine never hurts though… 😉
For my Master 6’s teacher this year (and actually for the grandparents as well) we bought a heap of canvas tote bags from Spotlight, and he is painting individual designs on them of things he knows they like (Grandma is getting an elephant, Grammy is getting a tiger, and his teacher is getting an island scene); then writing their names on them. They look awesome! I hope he makes me one too… lol
Author
oh, could he make me one too? Love that idea!
You know, he’d probably love to! lol Whaddya like? 😀
Author
Shoes and lipstick!
As a teacher myself, the best present I have received was a voucher to a day spa – so very welcome at the end of a busy year! I have also received many many many soaps/bath salts/body lotions etc etc etc…. many of which have been re-gifted I’m afraid to admit! I actually reckon a lovely card with a heartfelt message is one of the best things to receive.
Author
I reckon you deserved that voucher too!
I look forward to making something for our teachers. As usual time is against me. Might be up late a few nights this week, making resin bracelets. Son has figured out the favorite colours we need to do.
Author
Oh, Laura … I’m sure they would love your efforts. Good luck!
We have a Kindy class rep too, so we all chip in. Easy!
Author
I love the idea!
One year, my husband requested financial contributions instead of gifts and we purchased some sheep and chickens for a village in Africa. So much more beneficial than the endless stream of chocolates. PS – I wonder if Mrs Woog would like my husband to teach her children???
Author
hahaha Cath! And I love that idea Gary came up with. It’s also harder to buy for guys.
And he doesn’t eat chocolate – so guess who gets to eat them all? That’s how I maintain my svelte size 24 figure :-/. His favourite gifts are things like savoury gift hampers, alcohol or books.
We have two school teachers, a music, dancing teachers and some awesome teachers aides to buy for. Thats 7 presents in all so I have bought a large boxed set of body butters and lotions from Target which Im going to divvy up.
Author
Very clever thinking!
I’m one of those crafy types so I typically make something, although I also give different things depending on the teacher…we’re in middle school now so we have 7 different teachers! I might do number 1 since it’s reasonably priced for them all!
Author
Rhonda, I think that teachers would love your creations. I’m just not good at it so they wouldn’t be too impressed with mine!! Wow, 7 different teachers?! We don’t do presents for high school teachers here – too many. Having said that my step mum is a teacher at an all-girls’ school and she gets great gifts from her home room class.
We’re doing a collection for my Miss 8’s class and Master 6’s prep class teachers. Miss 8’s teacher loves the arts and going to shows, etc. so I thought we could pool our money and purchase a gift voucher from Ticketec for her to choose whichever shows/galleries, etc she’d like to attend. And for Master 6’s teacher, well, she’ll be going backpacking for a year and still needs a good raincoat, so we’ve pooled our money to get her that and create something from the kids for her to remember them by. Still pondering what to get Miss 9’s teacher though. She’s not an accessories chick, but I think she does wear scarves, so I might go with that.
Author
I do love it when you can get them something they’re really into, Norlin … they will love it!
Shoes & coffee would be on my wishlist 😉
Although I do like all these things and all under $50 too – good for us DEC teachers and that “Code of Conduct” policy 🙂
Vikki
Author
Ah, Vikki I didn’t know there were rules around teachers’ gifts. I’d so buy you some shoes 😉
Although some schools abide by the code of conduct more strictly than others 😉
And hey, those Emerson sandals are well under $50 so shoes could be bought – lol. And I would beg for your kids to be in my class, if I ever had a class again Nikki 😉
But alas us Learning Difficulties/Support teachers are often giftless at the end of the year.
🙂
Author
You deserve designer shoes for that job!
As a former teacher, I would love any of these. It is nice to receive gifts at the end of the year for recognition of your hard work, not that I expect it.
The best present for me would be a trip to Thailand though 🙂 Not sure what parent would ever want to gift that one
Author
Now THAT would be an awesome present. We raised $200 each for each of the three teachers in my son’s prep class and they’re each getting things that are perfect for them.
I think it depends on the teacher like mrs Woog said.
Bluey’s first teacher was a very young fresh from uni new to married life woman. When we left that school at Easter I had knitted her a rainbow scarf, Bluey insisted on making her some easter choccies, and I had brought her some sparkley lipgloss of some big makeup brand or other.
Now Bluey’s teacher is older, with children my age, so I don’t think she will be wanting to wear a rainbow scarf and some sparkly lipgloss. But I have a post coming up later this week with a picture of what we got her.
You are extremely thoughtful – and yes, an older teacher would want something different. Can’t wait to read what that is!
Given e we already gave Miss 8’s teacher a massive wedding gift a few months ago, Easter gifts, and presents from our recent trip to Samoa itwill probably be something small this year. I like the chipping in and buying a massage or beauty voucher, but I find the kids still get a lot of pleasure out of choosing something themselves! I have a few more days to think about it I guess!
There’s definitely something in the kids choosing. And your kids’ teachers have certainly felt the love all year!
Depends on the teacher! I tend to spoil them with a small stamped circle from Uberkate.
I bet the teachers fight over getting you as a mum in their class. I would.