HELP: Need Teacher appreciation Ideas

[Rebecca12345]

Hi all you creative friends:
I am wondering if any of you can help me.
I need some fun relatively inexpensive ideas for Middle school Teachers - for this upcoming year.

We did cute survival kits last year & I cannot think of anything else...for the first week of school

thanks for any help



Rebecca

 

[BethanyF]

How about decorated composition books. If you look on LifetimeMoments.com, or any of the other big scrapping idea sites, you will find tons of examples. I made them last year for my son's teachers and they were a hit.

 

[Rebecca12345]

Oh I like that idea! Thanks, Bethany

 

[JulianneP]

As a former teacher gift certificates are the best!! Even as something as small as $5 dollars helps. Especially at the begining of the year when teachers need small odd and end things like crates, organizers classroom poster etc.. Teacher store provide gift cards but Target or Wal Mart are great!

Also nice water bottles with a lid are a must for teachers. (It is a myth that all teachers drink coffee) as well hard candies or small chocolates to stash away in their desks is a must!

You could take the gift card and wrap them up with candy in a water bottle with cellophane paper. Pretty and very practical!


Also note pads are always welcomed. One parent at my school had a printer make personalized memo pads for all the teachers. Just simple print of the teachers names on top. I think Kinko's can do it. The parent then wrapped a pretty bow around them with a pen.

 

[Rebecca12345]

Julianne those are all great ideas too!

I am going to need many ideas thru the year
I appreciate all replies

 

[Snurk71]

As a former teacher (stay-at-home-mom, now), I second the suggestion on gift certificates - even a mall one so the teachers can pick from a huge selection. Also, a certificate to a spa for a massage would be great. I got that one year during teacher appreciation week. Let me tell you - I truly appreciated it!!!

 

[Snurk71]

Oh, I should have added...hand lotion. Granted, I was a primary grade teacher so I washed my hands a lot, but I went through a ton of lotion. Avon or Mary Kay (or something like that) made a great one that lasted through multiple washings, too.

 

[J&D]

Another vote for gift certificates.

Are you looking for things for your PTO/PTA to do? Our PTO serves a monthly breakfast or lunch. They also give us a small cake and treats on our birthday.

Personalized pencils, pens, and stamps are also a good choice. I teach science, so I use a lot of hand sanitizer. A plastic tote full of supplies (tape, chalk, staples, etc.) would also be great. With recent budget cuts, more teachers are having to buy their own supplies this year. One year we were given a stress ball. Those were a hit. We've also been given t-shirts, umbrellas, tote bags, candy jars, and mugs/cups with the school's mascot on them. DH is also a teacher, and he has received a personalized lunch bag, garment bag, and briefcase. Those were very useful gifts. However, the best gift I've ever received from my school was a set of personalized business cards and letterhead. Very few schools provide their teachers with business cards. It made us feel like true professionals.

Honestly, anything is truly appreciated (just try to stay away from apple things ). Sometimes a hanwritten note thanking the teacher means a lot more than an expensive gift.

 

[Rebecca12345]

J&D Yes! for the PTA moms to do for the teachers throughout the year. Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions. I am writing all these great ideas down.