Teachers Weigh In: What We Want for Christmas
Back in October I asked a group of moms to share their tips for preparing for the holidays early. One of the mothers told me she picks up Christmas gifts for teachers year round, whenever she sees stationery and bags on sale.
Teachers who read the post quickly shot back: "Please, save your money!"
Here's a sample of their comments:
"Trust me, do not buy the teachers or coaches anything. They end up with a pile of lotions and boxes of chocolates. Instead, just ask everyone to chip in $5 and get a gift card to a restaurant. I can't tell you how many apple-themed coffee mugs and scented candles I have received, only to end up placing them in the Goodwill bin."
"As a teacher, I would like to suggest gift cards to Starbucks, Target, or some other store that is popular. Teachers get so many mugs, knick-knacks, and boxes of stationery. We would really appreciate a little treat to brighten our day rather than a mug to add to the dozens in our cupboards!"
"Teachers do not need gifts from students. A note of appreciation, or a picture drawn by young students, goes a long way. Save your money, take your kids to a museum or the zoo, have some fun with your family!"
OK, I appreciate the chalk talk. Mental note to self: No bags, no candles, and definitely nothing apple-themed. No Christmas decorations either, one friend warned me. And though my brother, who teaches high school social studies, admits that he treasures the necktie with U.S. presidents he got one year, that's not going to fly with Mrs. P., my daughter's first-grade teacher.
So what did the teachers say they wanted? Here are a few more suggestions from readers:
- Handwritten notes of appreciation for their hard work, from students, parents or both. Young ones can draw pictures.
- "Most teachers do not expect gifts. Times are tough," wrote one reader. "If you insist on a gift, however, donate the money to some worthwhile charity in the teacher's name."
- Gift cards to stores like Target, Walmart or teacher supply stores. With budgets tight, teachers end up paying for many classroom supplies out of their own pockets.
- Gift cards to restaurants or places like Starbucks, Panera, or Barnes & Noble so teachers can treat themselves.
- Cash is king, claims one parent, who wrote that she folds bills into origami animals to give to the teachers. "They love it," she wrote. "No hassle with 25 years of picture frames."
Photo courtesy Flickr user Arvind Grover, CC 2.0.