The Ultimate Guide on What To Get Your Kid’s Teacher at Christmas.

Oh Christmas time, how we teachers love, yet hate it.

Don’t get me wrong, seeing those kids sing Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer off-tune is hilarious and sweet, but the last two weeks of teaching, during the holidays, takes a special kind of strength.

Being a teacher for the last five years, I’ve had my share of gifts given to me from parents of my students. Which, by the way, I completely adore. If any of you know me, you know my one of my love languages is definitely gifts! For teachers, that gift in the middle of the year is just a subtle way for parents to tell us they appreciate us. A little, “Hey, I know my child makes you want to reconsider having kids, but thanks so much for teaching him how to read, subtract, and mostly helping us shape him into a successful adult one day.”

I’m laughing out loud, because we all know the parents who need to say that don’t and the parents whose child is a dream are constantly asking how they can help us reinforce things at home. Shout out to those parents! We love you! Seriously, we LOVE you!

Here we are, though, time to start thinking gifts for your child’s teacher. So I thought I’d make a little post with some ideas, from a teacher, on what to get! Hope you enjoy as much as the teacher whose about to get this gift!

• Coffee gift cards: We don’t care the store or the amount, we only want the gift card. Coffee is our life-line on days when kids just don’t grasp the concept of  “crisscross applesauce.” A little fact though, if you do get them one, considering giving it to them before the last day before break starts. We NEED that coffee, like now, not on the last day. Yet, again, we will take those cards AT ANY TIME. Grabbing yourself a coffee, get them a coffee and surprise them. You want to be known as the cool parent, do that!
• Wine: Now, before you buy wine for them make sure they actually drink. If they do, do it! I don’t know how many conversations I’ve had, over the break room table, about how when they get home they are having a glass of wine and which kind. “Oh tonight, I’m splurging and opening up my vintage cab.”
• Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens: For me, these are my favorite pens. Most teachers agree. Honestly, they aren’t a true teacher if they don’t have a favorite brand and type of pen. So ask around, they may prefer a different kind, but honestly I’d be shocked if it was anything other than these pens right here. If Jesus used pens back then, He’d be using these. Just saying 🙂
• Don’t get them a plant!: Parents, we love you, but for the love of all things, don’t get us a plant. Sure, there may be the one teacher who loves plants and has their own greenhouse, but that’s not majority. When we see a plant, we just get to see it progessively die over the next month or so. We kill plants faster than a student telling us they have to use the restroom after we just got back from going as a class. So please, take the $15-$20 you would have used to buy the gorgeous plant and get us those pens, or coffee, or anything else.
• Target or Amazon GiftCards: Oh Target/Amazon gift cards how I adore you. How I light up when you show up on my desk or are given to me by sticky fingers. Every teacher is obsessed with the Dollar Section in Target. I could spend hours there, honestly I have, just ask my husband. Nine times out of ten your kid’s teacher is buying something for their classroom, to benefit your child’s learning, from one of these two places. Do them a solid and help them with that load. More than likely it’s out of pocket and while we didn’t get into this profession for the money, we aren’t always thrilled with dropping some major coin just so your child has a manipulative so they can visually see how to subtract 10 from 15.
• Lotion or Candles: Ahh…candles, lotion, all things that smell delicious. Sometimes when you need a moment to step away, take a pump of that lotion, rub it on your hand and breathe. Suddenly, the two girls who can’t decide if they are best friends or worst enemies goes away and you’re left with the smell of lavender. Ahh…relief. Any smell good thing makes us happy. PSA: Just check with your school to make sure a candle is okay, not all are able to burn those suckers.

I pray these things will help you on your hunt for the best gift for your kid’s teacher. Another helpful hint, call the office and ask if they have a “Favorite Things” Binder for the staff. It’s just a sheet of paper with your child’s teacher’s favorite smells, foods, drinks, etc. A great way to start your hunt.

Lastly, the greatest gift you can give a teacher is by supporting them. Mentally and emotionally. When they come to you with a concern about your child, listen to them. They aren’t out to get your child. We don’t hate them. We want the same thing you do, to make sure your child succeeds to the best of their ability. So show them grace, show them love, and show them that you have their back.

Happy Shopping and Merry Christmas, loves!