The Best and Worst Gifts to Give a Teacher

The Best and Worst Gifts To Give a Teacher

Christmas time is coming. Thoughts of giving gifts are starting to creep in your mind, especially if you have children in school. Giving gifts to their teachers has become tradition. I have been teaching for ten years and I can tell you that I have gotten some really neat gifts. I have also gotten quite a few that ended up in one of my garage sales. From the eyes of a teacher, here are some of the best and worst gifts that you can give. Hopefully this list will keep your present from ending up in a garbage pail.

The top 5 best gifts to give a teacher.

1. Gift cards to a restaurant. We love them; it doesn’t matter if they are only $5. We will use them and enjoy them. Getting to take time and enjoy our food in a nice atmosphere is a priviledge. During the week we normally get about 20 minutes to shovel our food down after we drop off our class, so going out to eat is a treat.

2. Gift cards for the movies or Blockbuster. This is one of my favorite things to get. During the holidays I love to rent a good movie, or go and see the latest one out. The price of a movie is so expensive lately that any contribution toward one is appreciated.

3. Scented candles. Every woman loves the smell of vanilla or peppermint floating through the air. Candles can be used in any room, and the smell adds a feeling of warmth to your home.

4. Any lotion from Bath and Body Works. (Or some place similar) A good smelling lotion is as invited as a good smelling candle. There is something about women and smelling good. A small bottle usually costs less than ten dollars and will last for months.

5. Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Did I mention chocolate? Whether we tell you a hundred times that we are on a diet and really don’t need it, we secretly crave it and are very happy to receive it. A chocolate bar and a small tin of hot chocolate mix, or one of those neat flavored coffees will go a long way.

The top 5 worst gifts to give a teacher.

1. Coffee cups. Especially those that say things like “World’s Best Teacher.” Although these things are nice, remember, we have gotten at least 5 a year for every year we have taught. I have a few favorites, but most of mine are up in the cabinet collecting dust, at least the ones that I still have after my latest garage sale. If you want to give us a coffee cup, find one that is unique, classy; one that we will “ooh” and “ah” over and actually want to show off to our other teacher friends.

2. Porcelain, anything porcelain. Although porcelain flowers and animals are lovely, there are just so many places that you can put them in your house.

3. Stationary. To be honest, we really don’t use stationary that much anymore. As much as we hate to admit it, these are the days of email, text messaging, and cell phones.

4. Perfume. Although it is a nice sentiment, perfume is somewhat personal. Many times we are given perfume, and I know it is the thought that counts, but if it is not our scent, or we don’t like the scent, we may end up re-gifting it.

5. Scarves. It is nothing personal, but most people don’t wear scarves anymore, or ever. I have gotten a few scarves and they either ended up in a drawer somewhere, or I gave them to a charity.

I really hope that this list helps a few parents out. Teachers appreciate every gift that they are given. We love all our students and know that they are giving from their heart. So for all the teachers, we thank you for taking the time to buy us a little something to show your appreciation. Hopefully after reading this, you will make another teacher smile this Christmas.