As the holiday season approaches, many parents find themselves stressing over the perfect gift for their child’s teacher. While seeking advice from friends, the suggestions often range from inappropriate to downright perplexing. Having been an educator and maintaining friendships with teachers, I can assure you that we’ve received some truly bizarre—if not repulsive—gifts. While teachers are gracious and appreciative of whatever they receive (after all, it’s not the child’s fault if their parent is uninformed), they would often prefer gift cards instead.
Let’s explore the items your child’s teacher definitely doesn’t want this holiday season—and why gift cards are the most thoughtful choice.
Candles
How many candles can one person possibly burn? While they can be charming, not everyone enjoys the aroma of pine or unusual blends like strawberry-chocolate. Selecting a candle for someone is akin to choosing jewelry; unless you know their favorite brand and scent, it’s best to skip it. Your child’s teacher likely has a stockpile of untouched candles already.
Body Products
Similar to candles, body products can also miss the mark. Everyone has their preferred brands and scents, and many individuals have sensitivities or allergies. Much like candles, these gifts often end up unused.
MLM Products
Please, for the love of the holiday spirit, do not use your child’s teacher to promote your multi-level marketing (MLM) products. Teachers aren’t interested in your wellness capsules, protein shakes, or essential oils. Including a business card urging them to join your side hustle? Unpleasant at best.
Homemade Foods
The idea of snacking on homemade treats from an acquaintance can be quite unsettling. Who knows what hygiene standards were maintained during preparation? With health concerns heightened due to COVID-19, it’s certainly wise to steer clear of homemade foods altogether.
Apple-Themed Gifts
While apples are cute, they don’t make the ideal gift for teachers. They don’t need apple-themed mugs, earrings, or snacks. Let’s retire the apple motif in teacher gifts once and for all.
Home Décor
Once, I received decorative candles and mirrors, which were both fragile and not to my taste. After a long day at school, teachers prefer to return home to a personal space that reflects their own style, not a decoration chosen by a student’s parent. Unless you’re absolutely sure of their preferences, avoid this category.
Some may argue that it’s the thought that counts, and while that holds some truth, if you’re spending money on a gift, ensure it’s something the teacher will appreciate. Teachers often spend their own money on classroom supplies, so gift cards provide them with the flexibility to purchase what they truly need, whether for the classroom or for themselves.
Instead of opting for a generic gift, encourage your child to write a heartfelt note expressing their gratitude and lessons learned. This gesture holds far more significance than a “World’s Best Teacher” notepad or an MLM pitch. However, one of my educator friends has mentioned that she appreciates a good set of quality pens, as schools often provide cheap alternatives.
Some parents view gift cards as impersonal, but they are truly practical and universally appreciated. Before you embark on a baking spree or search for personalized coasters, consider the humble yet effective gift card this holiday season.
For further insights on parenting and education, check out our other blog posts, such as this one.
Summary
In summary, when selecting a gift for your child’s teacher this holiday season, steer clear of candles, body products, MLM items, homemade foods, apple-themed gifts, and home décor. Instead, opt for gift cards or encourage your child to express their appreciation through a heartfelt note. This approach ensures that your gesture is both thoughtful and genuinely appreciated.