School's Out: Thanks, Everyone!

By Nancy J. Price

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"We always do restaurant gift certificates, picking the restaurant according to the variety on their menu," says Naomi Hattaway, a mom of two from Cleveland, Ohio. "Typically the teachers get a $25 gift certificate each, but that depends - as my son gets older, he has more teachers!" And the family doesn't stop with saying thanks only to the teachers. "We usually get the cafeteria workers, staff and bus drivers a $10-15 'bucks' type gift at a fast food restaurant, such as McDonalds or Subway," she says, "and then the children write a handmade card."

Want more ideas? Get your teacher a gift card for:

• A bookstore (could be to an online store such as Amazon.com)
• Car wash or car detailing
• Starbucks or a similar coffee place
• A spa treatment of his or her choice
• The local movie theater (plus a free popcorn and drink coupon)

Goodies for the classroom
Teachers always appreciate gifts they can use for their classroom, especially because they will likely have to buy these items themselves, otherwise! Find out if the class has a wish list, or ask what you can provide. Popular requests include:

• posterboard
• paper towels
• facial tissues
• books for the classroom library
• posters & charts
• calendars
• mobiles
• computer programs and games
• all kinds of art supplies

A gift certificate to a teacher supply store, bookstore or office supply store is always helpful so your teacher can use it to help buy any other educational materials they need.

Low- and no-cost gifts
You don't need to break the bank to show your thanks. Hand-picked gifts are always appreciated. For example, Larson says fresh-cut flowers from home gardens are always a teacher's favorite… fruits and veggies, too.

Almost anything - from round rocks to plain wooden picture frames or boxes - can be sealed, painted and given as gifts.

Don't be afraid to venture into the whimsical! For example, a few dollars spent on wire garland and mylar ribbons can be crafted into beautiful crowns. "My daughter Emily and I made crowns for all her school teachers and helpers," says Southern Oregon mom Cyndi Mathews. "To make them, simply cut the garland - we picked a purple, pink and silver one with stars on it - a little bigger than the circumference of an adult’s head. Then we wrapped the ends together to make a circle. We got a package of curling ribbon in an assortment of colors, cut them to various lengths, then curled them and tied them to the crowns." What can be done with such a treasure? Mathews says, "Her teacher keeps hers in the classroom and wears it during story time."

Don't forget that a handmade card from your child always is a precious gift.

Thanks now and always
Of course, you and your child don't need to wait until the end of the year to express your gratitude! "Some everyday ways of showing appreciation may be reminding your child to say thank you to his teacher at the end of each day," Leonard says. "Those little words 'please' and 'thank you' will help start the cycle of learning gratitude."

The simplest gifts - a flower from your garden, a small plateful of fresh-baked cookies, a photograph or even a quick handwritten note - can rejuvenate a teacher's enthusiasm. And without the hustle and bustle of the end of the school year, your child will be able to see what a difference a small but thoughtful "thanks" can make.

"By having children recognize what has been done for them, they will begin to understand that kindness from others is not a given, but rather something special and sacred," says Leonard. "With this realization comes gratitude, and a valuable lesson that they will carry through life."

These articles might also be of interest to you:

• 14 creative gift wrap ideas
• Getting kids to write thank you notes
• School success starts early: Tips for kids
• The educational needs of the gifted child
• Gifts, goodies and other great ideas