Teacher gifts are sometimes a struggle for working moms. You need something easy and you don’t have a lot of time to spend searching for something or making something.
As this school year is ending, the challenge of teacher gifts comes up again. I’ve been a room mom for my boys’ classes (sometimes for both classes) for about 5 years. As a working mom, I could let someone else take this on, but I really want the teachers to feel special and to have something they can truly use.
Give a Gift Card
Here is my advice, nice and simple…unless you’ve specifically had a conversation with the teacher about something he/she likes (e.g., favorite treat, new hobby), then give a gift card. It’s a win-win as a busy mom too. You might think it’s impersonal, but it will be used and I feel that is more important than how “personal” it is.
You can make a gift card personal, though. You might have had a conversation about a favorite store or know where he/she likes to shop. If that’s not the case, the room mom might know the teacher’s favorite stores. Or think about something where you can buy lots of stuff like Target, a large department store, or even Amazon. If you and another few moms are willing to pool money, get a VISA, MC or American Express card from the teacher to use wherever. I don’t recommend those unless you’re willing to pay more money since they usually have a fee attached to them of anywhere from $3 to $5. These are perfect when you know the teacher is headed on a trip or furnishing a new house or getting married soon. All great things to mention in a personalized note.
Get Ideas from those in the Know
I’ve been a room mom for both our boys in their pre-school classes and always had a cheat sheet for each teacher and sometimes it’s had surprising info. Plus, room moms can ask questions under the guise of being room mom that other moms don’t necessarily want to ask. I also highly suggest you reach out to the room mom to know of any food issues. One year our younger son had a teacher that specifically listed chocolate as something she doesn’t like. It makes her sick. That was an important thing to know and share since many moms go-to gift is chocolate. This year our younger son’s teacher hate coffee (like with a passion). We’ve already had a few moms bring a coffee in as a kind gesture. Whoops!
You can ask a teacher’s aid in the same classroom or maybe the manager of the pre-school or office staff at a school. They know each other’s tastes and can speak to things related to likes and dislikes.
Speak to your kids and ask what the teacher is talking about. Ask other parents whose kids were in the class before you. You likely know someone whose child has already been in this class. They might know his/her likes and dislikes.
Looking for Non-Gift Card Ideas?
Does your school have a policy or no gift cards, here are a few options to consider that have always been a hit in my experience. Our school has a policy for some occasions as times to give non-monetary gifts. When it comes to things the teachers really like, I always tried to get a special version of those things. For example, if the teacher likes chocolate, what about handmade truffles from a local shop (bonus: you’re supporting local business)? They’re not too expensive and you don’t need to give a huge box. In this situation, a little goes a long way.
Consider something from Etsy. Or a monogramed something that was their favorite color that is practical. There’s also favorite flowers, favorite snacks, even favorite beverages. If the room mom doesn’t know this, ask another teacher or even a school administrator. I’ve taken teachers lunch or even dinner to take home from school, so they don’t have to cook later (make sure you know what their specific tastes are). Everyone is in a rush at end of year and simple things like that will be appreciated.
Consider Your Teacher Like a Friend
If all else fails, ask yourself what you would like or what you would buy for a friend. That will generally point you in the right direction. Don’t waste money on cutesy gifts like something with an apple or coffee mugs. Unless it’s the teacher’s first year to teach, she probably has loads of those. And they’re likely collecting dust. You don’t need to over-think it. I promise.
Personalize Teacher Gifts
No, I don’t mean you need to get something monogramed, although you certainly can do that. I mean let’s personalize the card that goes with gift cards or whatever you choose to give. Better yet, get your child to help you personalize the card.
OK, I confess that I’ve spent hours on Pinterest over the years to come up with ideas for creative cards for teachers as room mom. Mainly, I’m looking for ideas where kids can participate. Realistically, you probably don’t want to hand a teacher a gift card by itself. More than anything, that little plastic card could be lost. And you don’t want to spend hours doing this part of the gift, so I’m focusing on the easier cards.
Yes, you could simply buy a card from the supermarket. That is not a bad idea. But where is the fun in that? Teachers have told me they love the stuff that goes along with the gift cards that I’ve given in the past (card, pictures, etc.) when kids can add something. And, it’s nice from time to time to use all that pent-up creativity. 
Creating Cards with your Kids’ Help
First, what about a card with hand tree with hearts? You don’t have to put loads of hearts – 5-6 is perfect. Trace your child’s hand and put the hearts around. You can draw a heart and use that as your heart pattern. And please don’t feel that you have to have the “perfect heart.”
Second, a simple card with hearts or flowers on the cover and quotes from your child inside. It can be all the things your child loves about the teacher. You will need card stock in two different colors – even better, your teacher’s favorite color(s). You don’t have to do as many hearts. The hearts are folded in half with writing on the inside and then taped back-to-back with another heart.
For either of these, write a simple message on the inside to say thank you for an amazing year (or birthday or for teacher appreciation, etc.). You can even do this with a handful of other moms if you want to chip in together.
Third, what about an Origami? You can Google to get ideas on this and you’ll find LOADS. It looks great and it can actually be pretty easy. You can buy origami paper at a craft store. Maybe you could do it with wrapping paper? Don’t quote me on that. Origami folded boxes can be stand-alone options or you can do some folding to create something lovely that you can slip a gift card into and then tape it to a piece of cardstock to make a card.
The first and second options are super cute with patterned paper, which costs $.59-.99/sheet at your local craft store. And you can also buy paper card stock in every color imaginable, again for $.20-$.50/sheet. So, for less than $3, easily the cost of the card, and about 30 minutes of time, you have a personalized card to go along with a gift card your teacher will love. Don’t have time to run by a craft store, have your kids color hearts instead of buying patterned paper. Again, none of things takes longer than about 30 minutes. And they look cute and they are very heart-felt.
Yes, busy, working moms can make all of this happen, perhaps with the help of your kids and it’s really not hard. I promise.
Do you have a go-to gift that teachers love? Have a cute, easy idea on a way to present a teacher gift? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Even better, include a picture for me and other moms to see. Please share in the comments. I know moms are always looking for good options for teacher gifts.
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