As the holiday season approaches, lots of moms ask about what kinds of gifts to get teachers. Having been a teacher for many years before I was a mom, I figured that I would address this very common question in a post well before any mom goes out and spends a precious dollar. If you want to know what teachers really want and need, you have come to the right place!
Please, do not get us…
Mugs: While we hate to sound ungrateful or rude, we definitely, for sure , positively do not need another mug. A mug that says #1 Teacher or World’s Greatest Teacher is probably the last thing we need. It’s not that we don’t appreciate the sentiment. We really do. Well, it’s just that we have 75 of them already and the cabinet space is just lacking for a whole collection. We still love you and your child, but no more mugs. Ever. Like ever ever. Even if it’s super cute.
Ornaments: Hallmark is the devil, we know. They make these adorable ornaments for teachers with the year and the rulers and stuff. They are amazing and so easy to buy. Just don’t. Again, we love the ornaments! We have nothing against Hallmark or the sentiment, but we have a gajillion of them. Our whole tree is filled with figures of teachers in neatly pressed skirts standing next to blackboards that say ABC. We don’t even have room for our personal ornaments. Seriously. Don’t buy us any.
Weird Books: As an English teacher, it’s hard for me to say no to a new book. I love books in all genres, but when a book comes across my desk that is vaguely self-help or a little too personal, it gets a little weird. If you found the book in the self-help section, you should leave it there. While teachers have the summer off, most of us don’t want to spend it analyzing why you gave us a book about dealing with menopause when we are only 28 (true story).
Home Baked Goods: Your heart is in the right place, we definitely know this. Students bearing unidentified goodies is usually a bad sign, unless you own a bakery. In that case, carry on.
Please get us…
There are LOTS of things teachers love to receive! Don’t let the “don’t” list put you off. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to make us happy.
Thank you cards: We love these. You don’t have to get us a gift to make us happy. A handwritten card with a sincere thank you is ALWAYS at the top of our list!
Gift cards: Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, CVS, we love them all. $5 is more than enough for that Tall Egg Nog Latte we need to help us face a classroom of children on Monday morning.
Supplies: If you work in a school that services a lower socioeconomic population like I did, supplies are scarce. Things like chalk, post-its, staples, and even pens are hard to come by and we would love them so much!
Candy: Tiny little pre-wrapped goodies like Hershey Kisses or Peppermint Patties are awesome because we can throw a bunch in our desk, purse, and pockets for those days when we really need a sugar rush.
In short, teachers aren’t expecting anything at all, but we appreciate when you do think of us. If you must get us something, please follow the guidelines above or our cabinets may burst, or our Christmas trees may tip over, or worse…
