| Teachers are a gift. For over 280 days each year | | | | #1: A Tisket a tasket, give her a basket |
| they create and deliver lesson plans that stimulate and | | | | Armed with just tidbits of personal information, you can |
| stretch young brains. Outside of parents, they are | | | | create a one-of-a-kind themed gift basket for the |
| often the most important figures in children's lives, as | | | | teacher that will be remembered for years to come. |
| they spend anywhere from four to eight hours a day | | | | Pick up a wicker basket, colorful tissue paper and |
| with them. Teachers have the capacity to put your | | | | bows at a mass merchandiser or card store. Then fill |
| child on the path to a lifelong love of learning and the | | | | the basket to the brim with themed small gifts. Here |
| great ones will undoubtedly make a lasting impression. | | | | are some favorites: |
| The work they do is hard and often thankless. A | | | | Summer Fun - Include sunscreen, a romance novel, |
| thoughtful and heartfelt gift that celebrates their | | | | gossip magazine, sunglasses, popsicle making kit, toy |
| considerable contribution is not only a great way to | | | | water pistol, bubbles, and a gift certificate for to let the |
| end the school year, but it's also an excellent way to | | | | teacher pick out favorite music or books. |
| reconnect them with the joy of being a teacher. Don't | | | | Movie Basket - Include microwave popcorn, 2 months |
| miss the opportunity to say thank you for a year's | | | | subscription to Netflix, 2 free movie passes, 2 sodas, |
| worth of hard work. | | | | movie candy like Junior Mints, and the latest issue of |
| Alicia on 'Gathering Information' | | | | Entertainment Weekly. |
| Your child's teacher deserves a gift that is special and | | | | Back To School - Before you know it, school will start |
| unique to them. Rather than grabbing a generic gift, | | | | up again. Include a gift certificate to an office or school |
| take a moment to ensure it's something he or she will | | | | supply store, an apple, coffee mug, personalized note |
| like. It doesn't take much, just gather a few details. This | | | | pads, and new pencils. |
| can be done in a casual conversation with the teacher, | | | | #2: Personalize It |
| another parent, or your child, and is definitely worth the | | | | How did your child's teacher make a special |
| time and effort. Does he or she have a family? What | | | | contribution to your child's life this year? Maybe she |
| does the teacher like to do when not working? What | | | | recognized and nurtured an artistic talent or helped |
| are his or her plans for the summer? Armed with just | | | | them make a breakthrough in math. Choose a |
| this little bit of knowledge, picking out that special | | | | personal item that is linked to that gift the teacher has |
| something will be a lot easier. | | | | given to your child. You could thank them with |
| Sarah on '360 Feedback' | | | | something fun like personalized M&Ms ( with or |
| In the working world, feedback on professional | | | | something like math symbols on them or a book on |
| performance is a critical motivational tool. And as both | | | | the subject at hand. |
| children and parents know, a little positive praise for a | | | | #3: Better To Give Than Receive |
| job well done can go a long, long way. Take some | | | | If you feel your kid's teacher probably has everything |
| time to reflect with your child on the contributions the | | | | he or she needs, a terrific idea is to make a donation |
| teacher has made to your lives. Write them down and | | | | to charity in the teacher's name. You can pick a |
| think about how you can tie them into the gift. | | | | charity near and dear to the teacher or choose any |
| Here are some clever gift suggestions to show | | | | charity that helps children. This may indeed be the best |
| appreciation to some of the most important people in | | | | gift of all. |
| your kids' lives: | | | | |
