Teacher Thoughts: Gifts for the Teacher

Happy first day of December!  Now that this magical month is here, I thought it would be a good idea to use this segment of Teacher Thoughts to share some great gift ideas for teachers!

(Or at least great gift ideas for this teacher.)

I have gotten some great gifts over the years.  I am always truly grateful for the gifts I receive from my students.  In truth, they don't have to get me anything.  So it's very touching when they do.  Some of the gift ideas below are gifts I have received or gifts that would be great for the teacher(s) on your shopping list this year!

1. Candles
I have never been disappointed with the gift of a candle.  Scott and I love burning them at the house, so he gets to benefit from this gift, too!  Even better than a regular candle?  Jewelry in Candles!  I'm obsessed with these right now.  (You can choose the type of jewelry that's included in the candle, and it's SO fun to be surprised!)

Naughty or Nice candle

2. Restaurant Gift Cards
There are few things that make me happy as much as going out to eat.  If I don't have to cook, I'm a happy camper.  The only thing that makes going out to eat better is going out to eat for FREE (or for less than we would have paid without a gift card)!  Scott and I have been to The Olive Garden, Applebee's, and many other restaurants for a treat thanks to the generosity of my students' families.

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3. Scarves, hats, gloves
Some of my favorite winter weather items have actually been gifts from my students.  It can be scary to buy these things for someone you really don't know because you want them to match their coats or be colors you like.  Ask your kids.  They will be very likely to know the color of their teachers' coats and/or what their favorite colors are.  Still unsure?  Include a gift receipt!  The worst thing that happens is that the teacher can take it back and exchange it for something else.

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4.  Barnes & Noble Gift Card
This is a little specific.  I suppose it could be a gift card to any book store.  I just happen to love Barnes & Noble, and I LOVE it when I get a gift card!!  The best part about this is that the teacher can choose to use the gift card to buy books for the classroom or him/herself.  Since I teach 6th grade, sometimes that's one and the same thing.  I have purchased books, read them myself, and added them to my classroom library.

Barnes & Noble Gift Card

5. Bottle of wine
I've never gotten this.  I suppose it's probably not acceptable for your child to bring an alcoholic beverage to school.  But if you happen to know your child's teacher well enough, or don't mind making a trip.  You could always drop it off in a gift bag at the office.....or a gift card in an envelope would suffice here.

Fellow teachers, what are some gifts you like (or would like) to get from your students?

Parents, what are some of your favorite gifts to give to your children's teachers?

Live & Learn Thursday: A Guide to Giving

I am so excited to share with you all that I've been contacted for my first real blogging collaboration!  I was contacted by Treat (a division of Shutterfly), and I was given the opportunity to start creating.  Treat is a company that offers personalized cards and gifts for lots of occasions!

April is a big birthday month in my family, and one of those birthdays is my little brother!  Sometimes, I just don't know what to get that kid.  So this was a fun opportunity! I decided to create a personalized birthday card and mug!

There were many designs and styles to choose from, and there are even some where you can add your own photos for an even MORE personal touch.  You can also choose to have a paper card delivered to your recipient or send a card digitally.  (This card even gave me the option to add a gift card!)

Here's the one I created:

 

This is actually a picture of my brother and I from when we were kids!  Underneath, the text reads "just for you/from your big sister".

So really, ladies, the next big question is: What on earth do you buy for the guy in your life?  Be it a brother, spouse, dad, boyfriend, uncle, grandpa, you name it.  Guys can be hard to shop for.  As I said, I created a mug on Treat, as well.  (Hey, guys like hot beverages, too!)

 

I've also got a few more ideas:

• Gift card to his favorite restaurant: Let's face it.  Most guys like to eat and don't or can't cook.  Why not give him the chance to treat himself?  From good ol' McDonald's to even something fancy.  I'm sure he will be grateful (or at least his stomach will). 
• Video games: Both my brother and my husband spend some good quality time with their PlayStations.  Find out what he's playing and snag up the newest version of the game!
• Clothes: Unless he's super picky, the men in your life often can use some guidance in the area of fashion.  I'm convinced that my dad would still be wearing his sweaters from the 80s if I didn't buy him a new one almost every Christmas. 
  
• A "mix tape": Ok, it might not be 1990-something any more, but this can take the form of a CD or MP3 playlist.  The idea is still the same: take some songs that you love/he loves/are special to both of you and put them all together for him.  It's affordable and meaningful.  It's a win-win!
• Tickets to a sporting event: If the guy you're shopping for is into sports, he will think you're the best person ever if you get him tickets to see his favorite team play! 

I also created a "Gifts for Guys" Board on Pinterest!  Would you like to add pins to my board?  Shoot me an e-mail (or mention it in your comment), and I'll add you to the board!  It would be fun for all of us to come up with some ideas together!  You can check out what I've found so far here.

What are your go-to gifts for the guys in your life?

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