When it comes to the holidays, I love making sure my kids’ teachers know how appreciated they are. But since every teacher has different likes and dislikes, what’s the best way?
As a new mom, I gave candles, insulated tumblers, homemade hand scrub, chocolates or a cutesy little chapstick Rudolf thing I copied off Pinterest.
While I’m sure they appreciated the thought, I’ve realized they likely don’t need new mugs and candles every year.
Teachers are amazing. They spend all day with our kids, exercise extreme patience while educating, and finding a way to make learning fun. They also get little recognition and pay despite that they’re educating future generations.
Thanks to social media, I saw a “Thanks for making me one smart cookie” holiday gift idea for teachers. Of course, it was paired with an oven mitt, spatula, and cookie mix. But again, do they need more kitchen stuff?
What if it’s the wrong colors for their kitchen? And, do I really want to give them something to do over the holiday break, even if it is baking cookies? What kind of cookies do they like?
No, that just wouldn’t do.
On a related note, the parents in my kids classes often pool money together and gift the teachers one combined cash gift. It saves the parents from having to come up with a gift and then the teachers can use the cash toward whatever they want. Win-win!
But I still remembered, “Thanks for making me one smart cookie” and wanted to use it to gift the teachers a little something extra to make them smile and feel appreciated.
Going with the “Smart Cookie” theme, I found some body lotions and scrubs that were “sugar cookie” or “sugar” named, but scents can be so personal. That didn’t seem right.
So, I ended up including:
- Handwritten thank you note or drawing from my kid
- Burt’s Bees shortbread cookie chapstick
- Holiday decorated cookie
- Pack of Pepperidge Farms cookies, with holiday-themed bags
- Hershey’s sugar cookie chocolate bar
- Ghiradelli sugar cookie chocolate squares
I contributed to the class gift as well; otherwise, I would’ve put a gift card or cash in there too.
I REALLY tried not to go too overboard on the volume of cookies so hoped that the chocolate and chapstick would balance it all out.
But I think I achieved the goal: a cute gift to help them feel appreciated without adding to the “stuff” in their classrooms or homes. And, they could easily share the treats if they didn’t want them.
Sidenote: I realize this is very similar to the end-of-year teacher gift idea from last June, but sometimes it’s best to go with what works!
What do you think? Do you have a teacher gift idea you recommend or have used in the past as well? Or are you a teacher with some recommendations on what you’d love to receive? Please comment below, I love finding new ways to show appreciation for our teachers!
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