Knowing how much to spend, and when to give teacher gifts isn’t always an easy decision, especially if you are already tight financially. Luckily we’ve put together a little guide on the when and the what of teacher gift giving. But PLEASE never feel like it is a requirement of parents! Only do what you are able. Even free gestures and a simple verbal ‘thank you’ are meaningful!
Teacher Appreciation Days
Teachers work hard throughout the year. There are many moments during the school period when you can gift a teacher. The teacher appreciation day is an ideal day for children, parents and fellow teachers to acknowledge and celebrate their effort and make them feel special. While there is a National Teacher Appreciation day (or week) the first week of May, some schools or districts may choose to celebrate at a different time.
Back to School (Start of a New School Year)
The beginning of a school year is also a perfect moment to send a gift to a teacher and start the year on a positive note (sometimes a little sucking up can help!). This is a token of appreciation for their efforts throughout the school year. A gift from a parent to a teacher at the start of a new term is also a good first step towards a student-teacher, and also teacher-parent relationship. These are even more important to a first time teacher, so if your student has a freshly graduated teacher, check out this post on gifts for new teachers to help you think of some good ideas.
End of the School Year
Gifts at the end of a good school year is another way to make teachers feel special and to say thank you for everything they did during the school year. It is also a good time for parents to acknowledge the teacher’s achievements and support to their kids throughout the year with a personalized note accompanied with a gift. Check out this post on end of year teacher gifts for more ideas.
Teacher’s Birthday
Gifting a teacher on their birthday is a great way to appreciate them, or even just a cupcake! It is also a way to acknowledge that teachers like normal people have a life outside school – well kind of haha, they do take their work home often. A birthday gift means a lot to all of us. This is a unique way to make your teacher feel special and appreciated.
Holidays
Holidays are also perfect gifting opportunities. This can come in form of gift cards, holiday decorations, a traditional present etc. This is done to express their gratitude, but mostly to celebrate holidays together with them. We are adding holiday ideas to this site all of the time and will try to get them listed below:
During Tough Times
Another good time to acknowledge and appreciate a teacher is showing support when they are going through a tough time. A gift for them after after being injured or sick, when they have lost someone close to them and more. Some teachers can become like family due to the time they spend with our kids.
What to Spend on Teacher Gifts
Gifting does not have to cost you much. These are a few inexpensive ways to gift the teacher who went above and beyond without breaking the bank. Appreciation goes a long way and you can spend whatever amount you are comfortable with. You could even get together with other parents in the class to split a more significant item. However, some schools may have specified gift amounts that a teacher can accept, so you might want to check before going big.
Teachers act as guides and play a huge role in shaping our children’s future. The best way to show them that their passion, hard work, and patience are appreciated is by giving practical and thoughtful gifts. Beware of the restrictions by the school’s administration on gifting. Food stuff might not be a good idea because some teachers can have food allergies or just not prefer homemade food or snacks. Take your time to come up with a gift idea that is fitting for both you and your kids’ favorite teacher.
Hope that helped you decide when to give teacher gifts, or how much to spend on teacher gifts. You don’t have to feel like there is a set time, date, or amount that you HAVE to do. Do what is right for you and your family above all.
