Gift Ideas for Teachers and Therapists
The Holidays are coming and suddenly you realize you have more to shop for then originally planned. Maybe it’s the end of the school year, or a therapist who has recently been a regular part of your family’s life will no longer see your child. You might see some of these friendly faces daily, and trust them with your child’s care. But, when it’s time to buy a gift, you draw a blank. Remember in “Leave it To Beaver”, when Miss Landers wore a short-sleeved shirt to school, and the Beaver was shocked to realize his beloved teacher had arms? It is possible to respect and care about someone who is so important to your child, but to not really know them as a person. Here are some ways for you to give personal, creative gifts that reflect your family and your regard for the recipient.
Do I have to buy gifts for Teachers and Therapists?
Whether it’s a teacher, Speech Language Pathologist, or Physical Therapist, the answer is, “it’s up to you.” Budget, time, and to be honest, the desire to give a gift is a personal thing. If your response to the previous three considerations is zero, zero and none then move on. Professionals are expected to do a good job, and hopefully your child is blessed with being cared for by someone who does more than show up for a paycheck. A gift is a courtesy, a way to show respect and consideration for work done. When you think of the progress and growth your child has attained, do you give mental thanks? Do you talk about how lucky you are to have that person in your child’s life? Do you know in your heart that this person truly cares about your child and your family, and that if they haven’t already gone that extra mile then they gladly would? Then you might want to consider a gift that expresses these feelings.
No Budget Gift Ideas for Teachers and Therapists
1) Write a letter of appreciation. You probably say “thank you” often, but put it in writing. Include details; “Riley wouldn’t be walking if it weren’t for you,” “You are the first teacher that Alan has talked about when he comes home.” Let them know they are making a difference and will always be remembered. I promise, they will save that letter for years.
2) If your child is able, have them write a letter, too. Reading a child’s own words of gratitude is priceless (and a great lesson for your child).
3) Send a copy of your letter to their boss for their file – it will be appreciated again when they receive their evaluation.
4) Have your child make a card or picture. Take a photograph of your child making the card or picture and include it as part of the gift. Even if they don’t save it forever, they will enjoy sharing it with coworkers, families and friends.
5) Give the gift of time. Volunteer more in the classroom. Your child can make a coupon book or card offering your services. Look for needs, offer to organize a classroom event or to send out an email reminding other parents of an upcoming activity. Ask if there is something you can do that will help save the teacher time. This can be a one-time occurrence or a longer commitment depending on your availability.
Gift Ideas for Teachers and Therapists: $5.00 and less
1) Homemade baked goods – wrap in colored cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect. It’s what’s inside that counts, yummy! If you have several to prepare, just three wrapped cookies and a card is enough. If you know you’re dealing with a tea drinker, then attach a tea bag to the ribbon for a single serving snack. Use small touches to personalize.
2) Buy a festive gift bag or box from the dollar store, fill with assorted candies and treats. Get creative with the container, think of it as a gift unto itself or as a piece of seasonal décor.
3) Become a clearance shopper. I once got 3 therapists and a teacher darling tote bags for less than $5.00 apiece, marked down from $20.00 each. This is a fun way to be creative, but don’t go too far. They might be limited if they need to make a return. Deals are out there, start looking early.
4) Help them shop green. Buy five $1.00 reusable shopping bags, fold or roll up four and put them inside the leftover bag, tie the handles shut with a bow. For a personal touch, subtly find out where they shop and buy their bags there.
Gift Ideas for Teachers and Therapists: $5.00 to $10.00
1) If you know there is a planning day or meeting day, bring a dozen donuts and some fruit for the teacher or therapist to share with their coworkers.
2) A reusable self-filtering water bottle.
3) An inexpensive bouquet of flowers. This is also a good way to recycle some of the flower vases that you’ve collected over the years. Or you can buy a flower vase at a thrift store. You might even have a friend or family member who doesn’t mind cleaning out the cabinet for you.
4) If you just have to give a coffee cup, how about a thermal travel mug with a spill proof lid? Some have a removable liner that your child and possibly even their classmates can decorate. You can even use pictures taken with a digital camera to decorate the liner.
Gift Ideas for Teachers and Therapists: $10.00 to $20.00
1) A magazine subscription. This requires a little more personal knowledge, but some major magazines offer gift specials as low as $1.00 per issue for a year.
2) We’re in a nice gift card range here, but more on that later.
3) Time to think of classroom or therapy supplies, also to be discussed later in this article.
4) Yes, wine can be an appropriate gift if you know it won’t offend.
5) Take the donuts for the group idea to a higher level. Make a hot lunch or a breakfast casserole. You can drop it off in your crockpot or they can heat and eat on their own. Don’t forget plates, utensils and napkins. Don’t try this as a surprise, it works better if you know how many people you’re feeding and if it’s a good day for them to have a nice meal together at work.
6) Pre-made gift baskets are always lovely, and save you a lot of time.
7) It’s okay to celebrate a personal event with a teacher or therapist. If there is a new baby, or even a new puppy give a gift with that in mind. A “First Married Christmas” ornament is always special.
8) Buy a tote bag or lunch bag and have it custom embroidered. It’s not as expensive as it sounds, and it looks great.
9) A live plant, after checking for thumb color. Or perhaps a set of seeds, small pots, and potting soil for the classroom.
10) Software with a variety of fonts or clipart.
Gift Ideas for Teachers and Therapists: About Gift Cards and Supplies
Sometimes the best gifts fill a need. Gift cards and professional supplies are a wonderful way to show that you realize there is a personal sacrifice being made for your child. A therapist might love the way one of your child’s toys brings out the desired goal. Buy them one of their own to share with their other clients (if it can be easily sanitized that is). If you know that they are using their own money to repeatedly replace a particular therapy tool, like say Play Doh, buy them a gift pack. If you spend time in the classroom, pay attention to what supplies are often, like photo paper for classroom use or dry erase markers. Many teachers have to spend their own money to fill in budget gaps.
Gift cards don’t have to be expensive or impersonal gifts. It’s okay to use a $10.00 gift card to offset the price of a movie or a meal at a favorite restaurant. Nowadays,
gas cards of any amount are appreciated. There are online and local teacher supply and therapy supply stores that offer gift certificates. Some dollar stores even have teacher supply sections. And don’t forget that professional supplies or personal items can be bought at discount stores, club stores, and any of the major retail stores. Many malls sell mall cards that can be used in any of their stores. And of course, giving the gift of a pampering treatment like a massage is a nice way to show your appreciation for hard work.
Remember when you’re planning your gifts for teachers and therapists; it truly is the thought that counts. Don’t give out of obligation; give because you want to let them know how special they are to your child. Stay away from coffee mugs, apples, and ties. It’s not difficult to find or make a gift that stays within your budget and timeframe but speaks from your heart.
