Some school districts (ours is one) have an outright ban on gifts for teachers. While I understand the reasoning (“Here’s a Birkin bag, Mrs. Smith, Thanks for the letter of recommendation for Jimmy”), and that the idea is to make all things equal – it is not my favorite rule (but I am a first born and a great rule follower so that makes it tough). Teachers are one of the most underpaid and overworked of all professions (Disclosure,  there are teachers in my family), and they should get some semi-decent swag for the hard work that they do. I also know that more often than not, teachers go out of pocket for special school supplies. So is handwritten card w/cookies enough or do you slip a gift card inside? If you do, and I won’t tell, try Sephora, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts or iTunes.  Sometimes a group gift gets around the rule, so pony up and be the one that collects the money and buys the gift, assign someone else the task of getting the card signed by all of the students. More work for you but you will help out a helpless rule follower and make a teacher’s day.
Maybe you can give gifts with impunity, gift cards are still nice or you can give books or a gift card to a local store that carries supplies for school,  something related to their work (Art teacher – art supplies). What is always welcome: cashmere scarves, sweaters, gloves, socks – pretty impersonal and nice, too (include the gift receipt to be extra nice). Holiday decorations (Hanukah or Christmas) and candles, lotion sets, anything homemade (see Friday’s post),  notecards from Paper Source or Papyrus.kids journal from chronicle books

capability mom loves the flour cookbookPictured is a kid’s journal but I would love it – I would also welcome the new Flour Bakery cookbook (add some sweet wooden spoons or a whisk and stick them both in a mixing bowl). Works for me!

If you know the teacher is a baker, don’t shy away from spices – I love Penzey’s penzey's spices– the catalog is great but the store is better (in Arlington, MA) – I went there a really long time ago with the writer of Verbatim. It was deliciously aromatic and on the way home we passed Lakota Bakery (which I had read about but not tried) and we had to go in – as in I screamed, “Pull over the car!” We purchased many wonderful treats and I was actually swaying back and forth in joy while eating a particularly lovely butter and chocolate cookie that a couple ventured into the store because of my ‘happy cookie dance”.  I really like cookies. You can even order these delicious cookies -or a cake –  from Lakota Bakery and cut down on your baking list.

One last idea, a plant. Sure, you can do a poinsettia or a white amaryllis or some sweet paper whites. Sounds boring? Not this time of year in New England! Go get a nice orchid (Trader Joe’s has them as does Whole Foods) or a big gorgeous flowering tropical house plant (just be sure to cover it well when you run it outside). Nearby Garden centers will have a nice selection and you will get a dose of green while you shop.capability mom loves winstons flowers The amaryllis shown is from a favorite flower shop – Winston Flowers where they make the most gorgeous arrangements and have the best flowers (delivery and in store).

The 12 Days of Shopping

I will be posting The 12 Days of Shopping jointly with Pragmatic Mom. Each day, please visit her blog to see the other half of each post. Thanks!

Friday, Dec 10: Make Your Own Gifts GRANOLA, Amazing Granola from Nigella Lawson versus Amazing Granola Bars from The Barefoot Contessa

Sat, Dec 11: Kids Make Gifts CRAFT (ModPodge versus Clove Fruit)

Sun, Dec 12: Personalized Gifts: Fancy Return Address Stampers and Personalized Stationery from Pixie Chicago

Mon, Dec 13: Father-in-Law/Dad and Mother-in-Law/Mom

Tue, Dec 14: Tutors/Teachers

Wed, Dec 15: High Tech/Low Tech

Thu, Dec 16: Hostess/Doing Good and Getting Something

Fri, Dec 17: Sanitation Engineers, Mail Carriers, Hairdresser, Delivery People, Babysitter, Cleaning People, Dog Walker/Dog Trainer

Sat, Dec 18: Husband, Me (Our Own Wacko List)

Sun, Dec 19: Dog/Cat

Mon, Dec 20: Quick Gifts from Whole Foods versus Gourmet Food Store

Tue, Dec 21: ’Cause I Am So Together, Last Minute Home Made Gifts

by | 12 Comments

12 comments on “Great Gifts for Teachers – Day 5 of Shopping with Pragmatic Mom”

  1. We both like the Flour cookbook! :) I didn’t know about the Penzey’s spices OR the store. Will have to go check it out! I also like the idea of the bulbs … we need a little Spring as early as possible!

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  2. Pingback: 12 Days of Shopping: Teacher/Tutor Gifts (Day 5) : PragmaticMom
  3. Pingback: Tweets that mention Best gifts for teachers and friends - | Capability : Mom -- Topsy.com
  5. Pingback: 12 Days of Shopping: High Tech/Low Tech Gifts (Day 6) : PragmaticMom
  6. Pingback: 12 Days of Shopping: Kids Make Presents, Clove Fruit (Day 2) : PragmaticMom
  7. Pingback: 12 Days of Shopping: Garbage, Mail, Hairdresser, Delivery People, Babysitter, Cleaning Person, Dog Walker (Day 8) : PragmaticMom
  8. Pingback: 12 Days of Shopping: Husband/Wife (Day 9) : PragmaticMom
  9. Pingback: 12 Days of Shopping: Cat/Dog (Day 10) : PragmaticMom
  10. Pingback: 12 Days of Shopping: Quick Gifts Whole Foods/Foodie Stores (Day 11) : PragmaticMom
  11. Pingback: 12 Days of Shopping: ‘Cause I am So Together; Custom Labels for Presents (Day 12) : PragmaticMom

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