It’s that time of year again! For traditional calendar students and teachers in Wake County, a new school year is starting, and with that comes all of the excitement and anticipation of what the new year will bring. There has been a long-standing tradition of giving an apple to the teacher at the start of the school year. While this is obviously a sweet and nutritious gesture, why not shake things up a bit with a back-to-school gift for your child’s teacher that they can use all year long, and not just at snack time.
Supplies gift basket
Teachers are always in need of supplies, and since a lot of them are purchased from funds out of their own pocket, try putting together a gift basket of some of the essentials every teacher needs. You can find lots of container options at any craft store or dollar store. These can double as storage once all the goodies have been taken out. Fill it with items like pens, pencils, markers, post-it notes, tissues, hand sanitizer and stickers. This doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. You can find all of these items in the dollar section of Wal-Mart or Target and many stores will run sales on supplies during the back-to-school months. Use cardstock to write a note to your child’s teacher and attach it with twine or ribbon. Fill in any empty spaces in the basket with colorful tissue paper. This gift is unique and practical and is sure to be a favorite with all teachers.
Gift Cards Galore
If you don’t feel like spending the time to put together a basket, gift cards are always a great idea for teachers. This allows them to get exactly what they need when they need it. Be creative in your presentation. Attach the gift cards to pipe cleaners or even candy bars and put them in a tall vase to make a bouquet. Fill the bottom of the vase with marbles or tissue paper for a fun, colorful gift they will love.
Mason Jar Gifts
The popularity of Mason jars has reached far beyond the canning and jam- making circles. Mason jars are great tools to use as a rustic vase for simple flowers from your child, or even to use as a mug filled with their teacher’s favorite lemonade packets. Try filling a mason jar with candies for a sweet treat throughout the day. You can also paint the mason jar with chalk paint and write a personalized message that can be changed daily. The personal and practical touch will be appreciated.
Scrub Scrub Scrub
Let’s face it, children can be dirty, messy and full of germs. Consider making a “germ fighter” gift basket for your child’s classroom. A large, inexpensive bucket filled with items like paper towels, tissues, disinfectant spray and wipes can help cut down the number of sick days for everyone.
Food Goodies
Just because you don’t give your teacher a shiny red apple, doesn’t mean you have to stay clear of food altogether. Have your child help to make some chocolate chip cookies or make a candy bar bouquet to help sweeten up those tough Monday mornings. When giving food or candy as a gift in school, it is always a good idea to keep allergies in mind. Many schools are a “peanut- free zone” due to allergic reactions.
A back-to-school gift for your child’s teacher doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Keep it simple. This is a great opportunity for your child to help and to be creative. You can be assured that no matter what you decide, your child’s teacher will treasure it for years to come.
