It’s nice to show the people in your life who spend time with your children, how much they mean to you and your child. Teachers, school administrators, librarians, and day care providers all enjoy receiving a little bit of holiday cheer. While I do believe families should save their money rather than spend it, here are some frugal gift ideas for teachers and other loving adults in your child’s life. These are all simple to organize and don’t cost a lot but are sure to show heart-felt appreciation.
Chocolate, coffee or tea?
Everyone has a vice. What’s theirs? A gift card to a local coffee shop tied with a pretty ribbon and a hand written card is a lovely way to say, “Happy Holidays.” Have your child draw a picture on the front of a handmade card and don’t forget to have them sign it, too.
I like to buy gift bags after the holidays when they’re on sale and keep for the following year. These little Santa bags look very festive with packets of tea inside and a little ribbon tied at the top. My favorite tea to give? Calm by Tazo.
You can’t beat a book!
A gift certificate to a local bookstore is always a welcomed gift for a particularly special adult in your child’s life. This can be accompanied with a hand written card or note saying how much this person means to your child. Second-hand stores are another great place to find books. Or, pass along a book you’ve enjoyed and would like to share.
Remember, gifts don’t have to be new to be thoughtful.
An apple a day.
Or, in this case, a basket filled with little oranges. Citrus fruit looks so pretty at the time of year. Find an empty basket and fill it with fruit. Add a ribbon (gingham, if possible) and you’re done. My basket, which cost .50 cents, is from The Deseret Shop where they always have a nice assortment of baskets and home décor items. Keep a stash of baskets on hand at your house to use for quick gifts.
Give a plant.
A festive holiday plant or an evergreen bush from Trader Joe’s is another nice way to spread holiday cheer. There are plenty to choose from for around $6.00. Remove the foil wrapping and put fabric around the base with a ribbon and you have a plant that can be enjoyed indoors now and planted outside later.
Homemade is always the best.
Granola, pesto, cookies, preserves or another homemade specialty of yours is a wonderful gift. Tied with a bow and a gift card, it’s sure to be appreciated.
It’s nice to remember teachers, school administrators, librarians, and day care providers during the holidays. Gifts that can be eaten, planted, or read will definitely be enjoyed. Don’t let gift giving break your holiday budget. These are easy, thoughtful, and won’t generate lots of waste. Very Go Gingham!
Be discrete when giving gifts at school. Not every student will have a gift for the teacher. Be sensitive to this and help your child understand this as well.
What’s your favorite gift to give to teachers? Teachers, what gifts do you appreciate?
Go Gingham related links:
Kid’s birthday party gifts that are budget friendly and very sweet
How to handle the group gift for teachers – bowing out gracefully
Frugal and easy gifts to give – very easy
Frugal and green wedding gifts – simple gifts with an upgrade element, too
Wrapping paper alternatives – old maps!
Displaying holiday cards – don’t put them away, just leave them out to enjoy
Go Gingham 
When our 3 children were students in grade and middle school, we always made freezer jam in the summer, and then gave the teachers gift bags of a variety of jam. This became a tradition with the teachers as the kids went through the grades–to the point where the teachers would return the jars to me–to be refilled! You do have to think about it ahead of time, but then it’s ready when the holidays (and end-of-the-school-year) come around…
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Patty,
That is such a sweet story! Teachers are the best and heart-felt homemade goodies are, too. Great ideas.
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Thanks for recognizing teachers! Some excellent ideas here.
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Hey Jay, thank you! I love your site and how you have the recipes organized by season.
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I can tell you as a teacher that even tiny tokens really are appreciated. We get so swamped with paperwork, grading, behavior problems, and then hear so many people attack the profession that we really do need some little reminders on why we do it.
I have a hand painted tin can pencil holder a student made me a few years ago sitting on my desk, another student brought a small baggie of homemade cookies with a tiny handwritten card. I still have the card. When I’m having a rough day I can still glance at them and smile and know it really is worth the rough days.
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Indigo, what a great comment! I love hearing about this and how you keep the cards. Thank you.
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