Super (& super cheap) End of the Year Gifts for Teachers -edited to include Audra's ideas

I am a teacher.

Tightwad Daddy is a teacher.

Why do you think we're such Tightwads? (we have to be)

So, if a family knows about teacher gifts, it's us.

It's the end of the school year & lots of families bless the person who has spent more time w/ their kiddos all year, than they themselves have.

There are a lot of things you can give the educator(s) in your kid(s) lives.  And yes, there are lots of cheap things you can give (hello Dollar Tree).  But do you want it to be something practical & useful? (teachers LOVE practical & useful)

My BF Amy (also a teacher) & I brainstormed tonight, and came up with some swell ideas that beat out a mug anyday...

• Candles... they might get them for each occasion, but you can't beat a good candle & if you play your cards coupons right, you can get a high quality candle for less than a buck.  Don't have time to coupon? -- Walmart has some great smelling scents for less than $5.
• Water bottles/can coozies/bottle covers... these can be found at Michaels (& probably other craft stores as well) able to be personalized.  Have your kiddo put some finishing touches to give it a personality.  Definitely less than $5.  Also, put that 40% off coupon to good use & really get it cheap.
• Gift cards... there is a common misconception that in order to gift someone a gift card, it must be a huge amount.  Not so!  Tightwad Daddy got a stellar gift from a stellar student, a $5 QT giftcard wrapped with a candy bar.  Score!  Other gift card ideas:  DQ, Target, McDs.
• Fresh flowers... Just saw beautiful bouquets at Aldi, for less than $5.  When I was a teacher, I was always thrilled to get these.
• Fill a container (think shoe box sized rubbermaid) with snacks & maybe a movie rental card.
• Offer a service for the teacher... one of my favorite students came up the last day & helped me pack/clean my classroom.  WOW, what a gift!
• Are you a hairdresser, a florist, etc?... give the gift of a free haircut, etc
• Think outside the box... one year, a student gave me an Easter lily, roots & all.  I took it home that very day & put it in the ground.  Each spring it blooms into a beautiful plant & I think of CJ, my third grade student (who is finishing up his freshman year, where does the time go?).

Get to know the teacher, think of what they like, avoid cheap/pointless gifts, splurge if you can, let your kiddo be a part of the process.

And leave the apples at home. 

 

Thank you Reader Audra for some more great ideas:

Thanks for the great ideas for teachers gifts.  I usually make a Summer Survival Kit for each teacher. I take a inexpensive tote bag and fill with all kinds of goodies, from a book , koozie , refillable mug with gc, towel, sunscreen,....whatever I can find that is inexpensive and usable. The teachers love it .......

 

Audra