Families with school-aged children, we are nearing that time of year when Facebook groups for parents will be flooded with the questions: “What should I get my child’s teacher as an end-of-the-year gift?” or “I’m in charge of the class end-of-the-year gift for the teacher and we’ve collected X amount of money – what should we get?” These questions always make me flinch just a tad because I know the responses often are a sales pitch for products the respondent makes. I’ve conducted extensive interviews with actual teachers to gain an understanding of their perspective firsthand, and often the group responses do not align with what teachers have expressed.
So, as a service to the many, many amazing and dedicated teachers of the Fresno/Clovis area, I will now revive what may seem like one of the simplest and most revisited blogs that I write here. I truly believe our teachers deserve the world for shaping young minds and hearts each and every day in a very challenging career – and this is my small way of saying, “I hear you, I see you, and I want you to feel truly appreciated.”
Without further ado, I present to you a fact-checked list of:
What teachers would truly love to receive as end-of-year gifts:
1. Heartfelt Cards & Letters: Teachers do not expect gifts and understand that money is tight for many of their students and their families – especially in current times. A handwritten thank you card or note from your child costs nothing but is listed as the number one most appreciated gift by teachers. Many teachers save these cards and notes and refer to them when they’re having a bad day. This seemingly simple gesture is truly treasured.
2. Gift Cards: If you truly want to buy something for a teacher, keep in mind that they spend a lot of their own money providing supplies for the children in their classroom, especially newer teachers or teachers who’ve recently moved grade levels. Gift cards that allow them to either buy items for themselves that they maybe couldn’t buy because they were spending money on their classroom or that could be used to supplement class needs are always in high demand. Think Amazon, Target, Walmart.
Alternatively, if you’d really like to ensure your gift is used for enjoyment vs. class use, consider a gift card to their favorite restaurant, a manicure or pedicure, or a favorite clothing store if you know the teacher well. These gifts are always welcomed and would be great when a class is contributing for one larger gift. An amazing way to present this would be a handwritten card signed by all of the students in the class, with a variety of gift cards from the teacher’s favorite places inside.
3. Charcuterie Boxes: This is a recent addition to the list; however, I’ve seen repeatedly that a professionally prepared charcuterie box, gifted early in the day so it can be enjoyed as a lunch, has been well-received. Locally, Chef Audrey Aparacio has offered these for pick-up at a reasonable price, and I’m sure others do as well.
4. A Letter to the Principal: If a teacher has made a wonderful difference in the life of your child, another way to recognize their efforts beyond the prior listed ideas would be to write a detailed letter about how the teacher has had a positive impact to the principal of the school, send it via email and cc the teacher. Everyone likes for their boss to know they’ve done a great job, so this in addition to thanking the teacher directly can make a huge impact and really help teachers to feel valued.
5. Whatever you do, please don’t get a mug: Year after year, I’ve heard teachers say, “Please, just no mugs/tumblers/coffee cups. We get so many of them each year, there’s no way we can use or store them all.” While teachers are appreciative of all gestures and don’t want to appear ungrateful, mugs are the most over-given gift, and they simply become burdensome in quantity, so please skip mugs and tumblers when selecting your year-end gift.
In closing, as the school year draws to an end, let’s take a moment to truly show our appreciation for the incredible teachers who dedicate their time, energy, and hearts to educating our children. Whether it’s through a heartfelt note, a practical gift card, or a thoughtful gesture like a charcuterie box, the most important thing is to make them feel valued and acknowledged for their hard work. Let’s make this end-of-year gift-giving season one that truly reflects our gratitude and respect for the educators shaping the future.
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