Thank You, Teachers!

It seems like there is a holiday every week (just a few weeks ago it was National Grilled Cheese Day of all things – how did you celebrate?) and I am regularly overwhelmed trying to keep up with it all. But this week brings something that requires every mama’s attention: Teacher Appreciation Week.

I have two kids in elementary school, and their teachers play a critical role in not only helping them learn, but helping them grow into the little gentlemen I want them to be. Both of them have blossomed this year, and I have two teachers, one student teacher, and two classroom aides to thank for it. So forthwith, here are a few ideas I’ve seen on Pinterest and around the internet to help me and my kids tell our teachers how much we love them:

If you are a baker, Love From The Oven has a great list of 30 darling treats that just beg to be made. I particularly love the Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes and I think I may be making them for all sorts of occasions.

Via Love From The Oven

I saw a cute suggestion on Pinterest to put cupcakes inside those 9-oz. plastic cocktail cups, then inside a baggie with a bit of ribbon to make them travel-friendly. You might call that a “why didn’t I think of that?” idea, I call it “dumb easy”.

Another treat that’s more assembly, no mess is this incredibly cute s’mores package from Domesticated Lady, which even includes a free printable!

Via Domesticated Lady

Teachers are not the highest paid people in the job market, and they often spend quite a lot of their own money on classroom supplies. A gift of supplies – especially the more expensive ones, like Sharpies or dry-erase markers in a wide range of colors – packaged in a cute “thank you” way can be a lifesaver and deeply appreciated. My kid’s teacher told the parents that one of the best wedding gifts she received was a box of old scrap paper cut into strips, of all things, from a retired teacher! Other great ideas are games, books, and flashcards for a classroom library, or heavy-duty office materials like staplers, electric pencil sharpeners, hole punches, and other stuff that tend to be pricey – all gifts that will keep on giving.

Every teachers drinks – something! A nice bottle of wine is always a thoughtful gift for the teacher who enjoys her vino, or a Starbucks card is perfect for the caffeine freak – maybe with a cute travel mug rather than the old-school coffee cup. Travel cold beverage cups are fantastic as summer sets in. The ones I have bought that are meant to look like fast-food drink cups have all broken, lightning quick, but I have had great success with my Tervis Tumbler with travel lid. I’ve got a handle, too. Goes with me everywhere.

via Tervis Tumbler

Every teacher deserves a little pampering to reboot and recharge. Gift certificates for a mani/pedi, baskets of bath products, or a copy of the newest bestseller (Fifty Shades of Grey? Perhaps a little racy – or just right, I guess it depends!) would be thoughtful gifts. I saw variations on this cute idea on Pinterest and gave our student teacher a beach towel, copy of In Style, sunscreen, and a travel cold beverage cup on her last day.

Via My Sweetheart Moments

My Sweetheart Moments has a bunch of cute teacher appreciation or end-of-year gift ideas, so pop over and get inspired.

Finally, I think the most important gift you can give your teacher is a heartfelt thank you, from your kids and from you. Nothing is more meaningful than a handwritten note, ever.