Teacher Gifts - What Do You Buy?

By Deanna Verbouwens on June 16, 2011

• Print this blog entry

 As the end of the school year quickly approaches, I am under the gun once again to come up with an appropriate gift for my sons teachers. Every year it’s the same procrastination. I would really love to purchase a gift that would show our appreciation for what my sons’ teachers have done all year long. Teachers may have eight weeks off, but it’s a helluva tough job. Can you manage 21 seven year olds or 18 three-year olds for six hours five days a week for approximately 40 weeks give or take a few weeks depending on if your entire house gets knocked down with the flu or the stomach virus? I sure can’t. I can’t manage a full time job, my house and my two sons let alone nineteen more kids. Nevertheless, my son’s teachers have been remarkable, and my boys have grown leaps and bounds. Richie’s confidence has soared, he’s reading at a great level and his math is so strong and Matthew the three-year old can write is name and can snap! Snap! I mean c’mon, how much is that worth?

Each year it’s the same internal dialogue:

“Hmmm, what should I get the teachers this year? What about a nice beach towel and beach bag? Do they really need another beach towel and beach bag? I mean I love a good beach towel but what about a nice bracelet? But how much would I spend? What is the appropriate amount to spend? Maybe I’ll get them a nice pen set. A pen set, yes, a pen set but who the hell really wants a pen set? That’s silly, so, maybe a gift card to restaurant, what restaurant? Hmmm…there’s that great new Italian joint that opened but where do they even live? And do they even like Italian? Maybe they’re Gluten Free, than Italian probably wouldn’t work at all. What to get them? What to get them? Maybe, I’ll get them, hmmmmm, what to get? Oh! What about personalized stationary?! Nah, that sucks. How about a Dunkin Donuts gift card? Do they even drink coffee? Who doesn’t? Well, I guess I know a handful of people who don’t drink coffee they do have more than coffee well I guess that’s not such a great gift. What about a gas gift card? I mean who the hell can afford gas these days? Damn, what the hell am I getting these teachers!! AHHHHH!!“

And it was at this point of utter frustration, anxiety, doubt that I sent a mass text to my sisters, and best friends who are teachers and tried to get a good idea. I texted them entire list and this is their collective response: “A beach towel and bag it’s nice, I guess; a bracelet eh? That’s good but do you know their taste; a pen set? Are out of your mind? Who the hell wants a pen set? A restaurant could be tricky, because you know don’t where they live, I know I try not to dine in the town I teach in;$25 is really nice gift, I’ve gotten $50.00, and I’ve gotten $15.00; gift cards from Target, American Express or Visa are awesome, Dunkin Donuts is great, I like that but not everybody does, but please for the love of whatever God you pray to make sure you get the same amount for the teacher’s aide cause if not that would be disrespectful”.

And there it is my friends.

My decision has been made: a $25.00 gift card to Target for all!

Easy Peasey!
 

• ‹ previous
• next ›