Years ago it was more rare than common to have a male teacher. Fortunately, schools are full of teachers today. However, it does make gift-giving a little more complicated when it comes to holiday gifts and gift ideas for the school year. For women, it’s easy… jewelry, hand lotion, candles. But buying for a man is difficult in itself, much less for a teacher.
We are going to list some wonderful gift ideas that are perfect gifts to give during the holidays, Teacher Appreciation Week, or as end of the year gifts for teachers.
Gift certificates seem to be a favorite as a classroom gift or one that the classroom mom puts together. Although they make good gifts, it seems like the easy way out. The first thing you should do is ask your child what interests, hobbies, or likes the teacher has. He believes it or not, they share this information with their students. Many teachers talk about what they did during the weekend or in the evening, they can have coffee or tea in class. They can talk about how they love chocolate or even if they play the guitar. These are all useful tips to help you choose a gift that is a little more personal.
As we are all more aware of living “green”, if the teacher is one of those who likes coffee or tea, why not a thermos or a personalized mug. You can include coffee beans or tea bags as an added bonus.
For the teacher who is on a computer all the time, why not a personalized mouse pad? There are many different styles available where you can put a class photo or calendar of mouse pads that can be personalized with their name and grade.
Personalized tote bags or work bags are also a great gift idea for the teacher. This stylish work bag features dual interior chambers, multiple interior pockets for PDAs, writing utensils, notepads and miscellaneous supplies, two exterior pockets, cell phone pouch and mesh pocket. With all these features, bringing home schoolwork has never been easier!
If you want to get a little more creative with your gifts, you can find out what his favorite restaurant is or if he has a favorite sport. If you like baseball, personalize a baseball bat with your name and have all the kids sign the bat. Or for the teacher who enjoys golf at the end of the year, a dozen golf balls are sure to come in handy.
Don’t forget that just because your child has a male teacher doesn’t mean you should stress about what to get him. It’s not about how much you spend, but rather that you took the time to think of a meaningful gift. Be sure to include a handwritten gift note that expresses your appreciation for a wonderful school year or restful holiday season.