Reader Jennifer asked over at the Dollar Store Crafts FB page:
School starts for my daughter next Monday, so what crafty gift should we make this year? She will be going into the 1st grade. I still don’t know who her teacher is, male or female, I haven’t a clue!
Quick Teacher’s Gift Ideas:
Well, first of all, if you don’t know who the teacher is, it’s best to adhere to a neutral type of gift. Think hostess gifts that will apply to anyone (or the kinds of gifts you give neighbors at holiday time!). Most people appreciate a gift of food, a plant, or a flower arrangement.
- Back to School Flower Arrangement by One Charming Party (shown above). This charming flower arrangement is simple: a recycled glass jar with a ribbon, a glass cup inserted inside to keep the water separate, and a package of plastic letter magnets. The flowers can be purchased or picked out of your garden.
- Pencil Flower Pot by Sassy Sanctuary. Hot glue pencils to a flower pot and add a bow (and possibly a cute sign). Pencils are super cheap this time of year, or find them at the dollar store year-round.
- School Supply Clock by Plucky Momo (head’s up, autoplaying music). This is an idea that would work for just about any teacher, any gender, any grade. Modify a clock by adding the teacher’s name and school supplies where the numbers belong. Also, find some GREAT tips for making a clock like this over at Crafty Lady Lindsay.
- Many More Teacher’s Gift Ideas here at Dollar Store Crafts
Readers, what would you suggest as a great gift for this teacher?
10 Comments
Jennie
Thanks! I just found out her teacher is female, so I can go a more girly route now. I think I am going to go with some sort of a emergency kit or gift basket idea. Still working out the details. I love the number/letter idea as well as the pencils. I have seen the crayons, but I think thats too kindergardenish.
Lindsay
Thank you so much for linking to my blog post about making the clock! So thrilled to be mentioned :)
Have a great week!
Lindsay @ Diary of a Crafty Lady
Robyn
What cute ideas! I love this site and all the darling things you post. I am awarding you The Versatile Blogger award! Please go to my blog to accept your award: http://hotmomshelpfultips.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-first-blog-award.html
-Robyn
Surani
School supplies PLEASE! I’m a high school teacher and I still spend about $400 of my own money on school supplies every year (my first year it was over $1000). Elementary teachers often spend even more. In this economy everything is being cut and we have to pick up the slack or do without.
Instead, make a crafty gift the teacher can use in his/her classroom.
Instead of hotgluing the pencils to a vase (rendering them unusable) make a “pencil bouquet” or “marker bouquet”
Instead of a flower arrangement, make a couple of those pens with a flower (or anything else) attached so students don’t walk off with the teacher’s writing utensils.
Instead of the clock with random things glued on (though that IS darn cute, its better for an office worker, I want one for home now!) make a clock that has the minutes pointing to each number.
What I mean is have a giant “5” pointing to 1, a giant “10” pointing to 2, etc. so the kids can learn minutes. That clock will confuse them!
(And yes, I am in the process of making one. My NINTH graders cannot read a clock.)
Remember, elementary teachers have 20-30 kids a year and high school teachers have 125-170.
So over 3 years, this elementary teacher may receive 90 gifts – they can’t display them all!
Finally, what would be most meaningful to any teacher is to have your child make or write a card saying “Thank you.” Cheap AND priceless.
heather
Surani, thanks for your insight and useful feedback! It’s great to get a teacher’s insight on this topic.
liezel
This may seem over simplistic, What about a pack of stickers or stamps that say good job and ink pad. That kind if thing is always out of the teachers pocket and it is consumed every year. Obvilously make it cute and crafty. Most importantly include a note that says a little about your child= favorite color, dislikes, how they react when excited or upset. Also thank them for being trustworthy and responsible, for the children they are entrusted with are precious. Present, mini introduction letter and a thank you!
anonymous
I have to second what Surani said. School supplies are always greatly appreciated. You can certainly personalize them. It is always nice to have a set of supplies that students can borrow (pencils, pens, etc.), if you personalize them with the teacher’s name that will help ensure they get back to the borrow/share bin.
While I am ever so greatly of anything I receive from a student, please think twice about the kitschy pencils, apples, etc. Being a teacher does not make us automatically love those things. Ask your kids about their teacher, chances are they can tell you something about them after the first day of school because most teachers do getting to know you activities and share their interests with their students. This is much more meaningful. Also, please do not assume that female=girly.
There are many crafty things you can make for teachers that would be helpful in the classroom. Use PVC pipe to make telephones that can be used in many ways to enhance language arts instruction. http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca%7CsearchResults~~p%7C2534374302105567~~f%7C/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByCategory/language/viewall.jsp
Sew some floor cushions to help create a comfy space for the kids. Use plaster of paris or drill holes in a block of wood to make marker blocks for storing markers so they last longer. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/366771/make_a_marker_keeper_for_useful_and.html?cat=6
Bean bags or giant dice would be great as well, especially if you can add see-through pockets to them so teachers can change them up for different activities. Check out a teacher supply store online (or in person) for ideas. There are many products that are expensive, but would be cheap to diy such as the marker blocks or telephones listed above.
Another great idea would be a stay healthy kit with some homemade or natural lotion, hand soap, and tea. Try to keep it unscented or something universally liked such as vanilla.
Coffee is almost always greatly appreciated.
But really, what it all comes down to is the thought. A simple note of thanks means more than anything!
Ayin
Yes,if I am a school teacher, I will be happy to receive school supplies. But this year I just made cards for my son’s teachers :) visit http://princeandprint.blogspot.com/2011/05/happy-teachers-day.html
LadyGift
You can make a set of three – mod podge clip board and matching post it covers and decorated paper clips.
How about a jar full of rewards for the teacher to use through out the year.
Or – home baked cookies. You can take an empty Pringles tube, decorate it and put the cookies in it.