The holiday season is upon us - yippee! I'm generally a big fan of any display of joy, affection, and goodwill. So, whatever you celebrate, I wish you a happy one.
My Facebook and Pinterest feeds are inundated with questions and ideas about gifts to give teachers during the holidays. Although I certainly can't speak for all teachers, I wanted to share some of the gifts that I have particularly appreciated over the years. And, a disclaimer: It's totally cool if you don't give anything. I mean it. Most teachers I know don't expect gifts. So if the idea of getting one more gift stresses you out or creates a financial strain or you just forget, no worries. You trust us with your children every day. That's pretty tremendous on its own.
But let's just say you want to give something. Here are some of the gifts I've received during my ten years of teaching early childhood and why I loved them so.
The Practical
Hand Sanitizer/Soap/Lotion We wash our hands all.the.time. It can get downright painful in the winter months with dry skin and chapping. These are gifts that will definitely get used!
Coffee In the form of gift cards, mugs, K-Cups, IV, etc. I feel like my performance as a teacher directly relates to my caffeine consumption, so I think of coffee as an investment in my students.
Reusable Water Bottle A person gets thirsty talking all day! (And no, those aforementioned quantities of coffee have nothing to do with a near-constant sense of dehydration. *sips latte*)
A Lunch Tote Packed lunch is the daily routine for many of us.
Cozy Mittens, Hats, and Gloves Ah, recess in the winter. The children are working up a sweat, we're shivering while we supervise.
Office Supplies You know the feeling - there never seems to be a pair of scissors/tape dispenser/paper clip right when you need it.
The Luxurious
Gift Cards Any and all. I've been treated to manicures, massages, movies, restaurants, you name it. The feeling of having unexpected resources to spend on myself is a surprise and delight every time.
Food and Drink Cookies made from your famous recipe. A bottle of wine with a pretty label. Decadent chocolates. Yes, please!
Flowers I've been given fancy arrangements, dandelions from the garden, and everything in between. Their beauty is always a treat.
The Warm Fuzzies
A Thank You Note A card from you with a few thoughtful lines is worth its weight in gold.
Ornaments (if the teacher celebrates Christmas) I really do think about each child as I hang the ornaments on the tree, remembering them as they were when I knew them and wondering how they are doing now.
Anything Made By Your Child The messier and more imperfect, the better.
Photographs Framed. In a book. With a mat adorned by your child. The days go by in a blur; photos give us the opportunity to revisit the little moments that hold so much.
Talk To My Boss If you're happy with your child's experience in my class, send a quick email to my supervisor. It makes both of us really happy, too.
A Donation One of the most powerful gifts I've received was a family who made a donation to our school's financial aid fund, so that as many children as possible might have access to me as a teacher. I am still humbled by this gesture.
Wishing you happiness in all of your giving, but especially in the giving of your spirit!
My Facebook and Pinterest feeds are inundated with questions and ideas about gifts to give teachers during the holidays. Although I certainly can't speak for all teachers, I wanted to share some of the gifts that I have particularly appreciated over the years. And, a disclaimer: It's totally cool if you don't give anything. I mean it. Most teachers I know don't expect gifts. So if the idea of getting one more gift stresses you out or creates a financial strain or you just forget, no worries. You trust us with your children every day. That's pretty tremendous on its own.
But let's just say you want to give something. Here are some of the gifts I've received during my ten years of teaching early childhood and why I loved them so.
The Practical
Hand Sanitizer/Soap/Lotion We wash our hands all.the.time. It can get downright painful in the winter months with dry skin and chapping. These are gifts that will definitely get used!
Coffee In the form of gift cards, mugs, K-Cups, IV, etc. I feel like my performance as a teacher directly relates to my caffeine consumption, so I think of coffee as an investment in my students.
Reusable Water Bottle A person gets thirsty talking all day! (And no, those aforementioned quantities of coffee have nothing to do with a near-constant sense of dehydration. *sips latte*)
A Lunch Tote Packed lunch is the daily routine for many of us.
Cozy Mittens, Hats, and Gloves Ah, recess in the winter. The children are working up a sweat, we're shivering while we supervise.
Office Supplies You know the feeling - there never seems to be a pair of scissors/tape dispenser/paper clip right when you need it.
The Luxurious
Gift Cards Any and all. I've been treated to manicures, massages, movies, restaurants, you name it. The feeling of having unexpected resources to spend on myself is a surprise and delight every time.
Food and Drink Cookies made from your famous recipe. A bottle of wine with a pretty label. Decadent chocolates. Yes, please!
Flowers I've been given fancy arrangements, dandelions from the garden, and everything in between. Their beauty is always a treat.
The Warm Fuzzies
A Thank You Note A card from you with a few thoughtful lines is worth its weight in gold.
Ornaments (if the teacher celebrates Christmas) I really do think about each child as I hang the ornaments on the tree, remembering them as they were when I knew them and wondering how they are doing now.
Anything Made By Your Child The messier and more imperfect, the better.
Photographs Framed. In a book. With a mat adorned by your child. The days go by in a blur; photos give us the opportunity to revisit the little moments that hold so much.
Talk To My Boss If you're happy with your child's experience in my class, send a quick email to my supervisor. It makes both of us really happy, too.
A Donation One of the most powerful gifts I've received was a family who made a donation to our school's financial aid fund, so that as many children as possible might have access to me as a teacher. I am still humbled by this gesture.
Wishing you happiness in all of your giving, but especially in the giving of your spirit!
