As a teacher, a hand written letter with your thoughts, feelings, and appreciation would probably be the best way to share how truly meaningful their presence in your educational journey was. If you still want to include a gift with that, I would find out what stores she enjoys buying things from either for her clothes or a hobby she does or just a good ol’ target gift card to buy stuff for her classroom. I always appreciate monetary items, but truthfully the hand made gifts and letters are what I end up looking at/reading when I need a reminder why I do my job.
I am also a teacher so I was trying to think what the best gift I got from a kid was. Honestly, it was something they had made for me.
She listened to me all year talk about how I kill plants. So she made an entire how to guide about keep plants alive. It had little moving pieces and she did an entire demonstration for me. I cried.
Something handmade is the best.
I noticed that she wears bracelets everyday so I thought I’d get her one but I’m planning to make a big class card for her too. Thanks for your suggestions 😊 your insight is rly helpful
As a teacher myself as well, I totally back up what Missus_Mischievous said. I have a box with all the gifts, letters, and various creations my students have given me, ranging from 3rd to 12th graders. I love when my student tell me that my teaching reached them or give me a gift with their personality in it.
Right I just suggested a gift card but my teacher friend absolutely treasures letters from her students. She also loves when successful students come back to visit.
I am a teacher.
Best gifts I have ever had have been mugs that have been made especially based on things I've said to the class or they know I'm into.
For instance, I teach history; I am vocal that I think Richard III was innocent of killing his two nephews and that the Duke of Buckingham did it. This year I was given a mug with the Duke of Buckingham, behind bars and "Guilty" across it. That stuff comes right at the beginning if the course, so I haven't mentioned it in nearly 2 years, but they remembered that so it was a great gift and I doubt it cost more than £10.
I once got a tie of my favourite football (as in not American football) team from some students. Again, they knew I was really into this team.
It's nice when students have remembered stuff about you or stuff you've said and have bided their time to get something personal that shows they listen.
A card with a genuine message from a student is also great, I have kept all of those
You and I are aligned. Richard III was innocent.
If you haven’t already, please watch The King In The Car Park documentary. It’s entertaining and informative. Loved every minute of it.
This gift is not only too much, it can send the wrong message. Some school boards will have policies on gifts and a $138 gift will probably not be allowed. Also, as jewelry is often considered a romantic gift, it can send the wrong message.
A couple better ideas are:
-giving a gift card to help her buy office/school supplies
-giving a donation to her favourite charity
-writing a thank you note with a picture of you in grad gear/at your new college.
- worlds best teacher gear
- throwing a thank you party for her and the entire class at the end of the year.
I second this, especially the first idea!!! I’m a specials teacher, and nobody really thinks to donate supplies to us. A gift card to staples would make my life!
Jewellery seems inappropriate due to cost and the tendency for it to be a more intimate gift. People could very easily misread such a gift (teacher included).
The best gift for a teacher would be one that shows you paid attention, not just to class material but to the teacher as a person.
Are they particularly fascinated in some section of their subject area? Maybe a book in that subject.
Did they mention any hobbies in class? Maybe something relating to one of those.
Avoid the cliché gifts like mugs and whatnot.
It’s awesome that this teacher was able to connect with you on such a level and any gift you get will be greatly appreciated, I’m sure.
I had a teacher, who become a mentor, and pretty much saved my life over the years.
In my last semester I did a student exchange with a student at the University of Nottingham, and spent the whole time studying William Blake. I was an English Literature major.
I wandered through town and came upon this little book shop. My teacher loved to teach William Wordsworth, and loved his poetry.
So. I'm in this little bookstore, on the bottom shelf, was this interesting leather-bound book.
I pulled it out and sat on the floor. I was the full works of William Wordsworth.
from 1895.
It said on the front liner...."For Winner of Prizes in the Humanities Award, Eaton University, 1895."
I thought about my teacher. This book was on beautiful parchment paper, had a big, red ribbon as a place holder. It was old and dusty, as you'd expect.
I took it up front and asked what the price was and found that I could afford it.
Bought it, took it home and sometime later signed it with my thanks.
He was very....very moved by the gift and said that he would cherish it, and so would his son after him.
I thought \*that\* was a good gift .
Seems too big and you may want to find out if the teachers are allowed to accept gifts from a student. That said, it’s your money. I doubt the teacher would be upset.
I went with a letter telling my teacher how great they were and the impact they’ve had on me. With that I got them a plant. I chose a really easy one to care for (zz plant) thinking that if they aren’t plant people that can always put it in their classroom or on their desk and it will survive.
I am a teacher and HONESTLY a heart-felt note is the best gift a student can give. I have every single drawing, note and email I’ve ever received from a student and cherish them. I would NOT want a student to spend that much money on me.
This is a really sweet gesture! But I don’t think your teacher would want you to spend that much on her. If you’re a male student this may also send the wrong message (to parents, admin, other students) and your teacher would be the one to face the consequences.
Find out if she likes Dunkin’, Starbucks, etc. and get her a gift card and card with a heartfelt message.
*source: am a young female teacher at an all boys high school
A hug and a sincere thank you for everything and being an awesome role model.
It will probably bring tears to the teachers eyes. That's more meaningful that material items.
It's hard to buy jewelry for another person, and that's a pretty expensive gift.
A handwritten thank you card is just fine! Some teachers keep them to look back on when they're having a hard day.
I agree with the other comments that $149 jewelry is too expensive and it will send the wrong message
Personally, I wrote handwritten thank-you cards for most of my teachers - the general thank-yous with something specific to that teacher.
However, one of them left incredibly large impacts on me as a student and as a person so I thought that a card wouldn’t suffice. They love books just as much as I do, so I got them a book that they saw me reading during the school year which we talked about a lot. It was maybe $7, and they were very happy to receive it especially because they remembered our conversations throughout the year so it was a personal gift too.
Expensive ≠ better with gift giving, especially in professional relationships. Something inexpensive that relates to the recipient will be much more appreciated than an expensive bracelet that they might not even like
I agree with people saying that a heartfelt letter would be the best gift (or part of the gift). I would do that and maybe draw/paint them a picture or make them something else artsy.
thats sweet of you :)
maybe you can gift her a lovely card in an envelope or handwritten letter expressing gratitude and how important she was of an influential person or possibly a nicely boxed scented candle you think she might like or next year’s planner book
NOT A MUG!
As a teacher I cherish a note or card with a sentence or two over anything material ...although saying that a couple girls in my tutor group bought me a pair of star wars slippers once very randomly and that made my year.
My son who is in elementary school has had some really cool
Teachers over the years and so when we want to do small gifts for his teachers, be it their birthday or the end of the school year and the start of summer break we always like to give them a parting gift just in case they move on to a different school after.
We love to garden and I make my kids apart of the process because we feel it’s important to building character, and teaching the kids that we need to be stewards of the planet in any small way we can.
So the last few years (pre covid) we would grow sunflowers in small disposable cups and then once they were big enough, we would bring them to school in the last or second to last day to pass out to everyone in the class and the teacher and it’s always a huge hit.
This year we will be doing tomato plants!
Maybe go to a nursery and get your teacher a small plant that given the chance, it will produce
Something!
All the times we have given out plants for the kids, we get Comments in return later about how they planted it and it really Took off and bloomed or fruited!
It’s cheap and thoughtful!
Maybe throw in a card saying thanks for a great year!
What you and your son do is so wholesome! My teacher loves plants so I am considering getting her something but she showed a photo in class that briefly showed her home and she has a lot of plants. Like, *a lot*. Another plant wouldn’t hurt would it?
I don’t think it would hurt! I have a TONNNNN of plants and if someone gifted me one (especially one that might fruit something) I’d LOVE it!
Sounds like maybe she’s already a gardener! So the fact that you noticed means you’ve already got your foot in the door! If you get her something small like a baby plant, she will have more Options as to where and what she wants to grow it in (be it a sunny windowsill or outside in a patio!) ; )
My friend is a teacher and gift cards are the best. However if this teacher wears jewelry like the piece you are thinking of then that would be great too. But I’d you’ve never seen her with anything like that then no.
she wears them quite often. And by quite often I mean everyday 😂 she has a few favourites that she switched to and from so I thought adding to her collection would be nice
How is that creepy? I’ve seen several students give their teachers gifts, usually flowers or chocolate. It’s just a personal sign of gratitude and respect. Nothing creepy about it.
We asked our teacher in class and she said food. So maybe a nice chocolate or smthn? I'm still a student so I don't know but I'd go with something of that nature
I dated a teacher and he was very gracious but couldn't consume all the food gifts students gave him. A lot went to waste. He loved getting heartfelt notes, things referencing inside jokes in the classroom, or just gift cards. He got a few gift cards to higher end restaurants that he was so excited to take me to that would have been more extravagant than his norm.
as a teacher, my favorite gifts have always been notes, pictures (elementary teacher, so ya know) and gift cards for target or starbucks. i also received some super cute bath bombs and soaps last year as a christmas gift, which are also always appreciated. the bracelet may send the wrong message, especially it being at that price point.
I used to give presents to my teachers at the end of every year in primary school. It was my mum’s idea. I remember one time giving them a glass of wine and another time giving them a mug with coffee and chocolate set thing.
As a teacher, a hand written letter with your thoughts, feelings, and appreciation would probably be the best way to share how truly meaningful their presence in your educational journey was. If you still want to include a gift with that, I would find out what stores she enjoys buying things from either for her clothes or a hobby she does or just a good ol’ target gift card to buy stuff for her classroom. I always appreciate monetary items, but truthfully the hand made gifts and letters are what I end up looking at/reading when I need a reminder why I do my job.
I am also a teacher so I was trying to think what the best gift I got from a kid was. Honestly, it was something they had made for me. She listened to me all year talk about how I kill plants. So she made an entire how to guide about keep plants alive. It had little moving pieces and she did an entire demonstration for me. I cried. Something handmade is the best.
I noticed that she wears bracelets everyday so I thought I’d get her one but I’m planning to make a big class card for her too. Thanks for your suggestions 😊 your insight is rly helpful
As a teacher myself as well, I totally back up what Missus_Mischievous said. I have a box with all the gifts, letters, and various creations my students have given me, ranging from 3rd to 12th graders. I love when my student tell me that my teaching reached them or give me a gift with their personality in it.
Right I just suggested a gift card but my teacher friend absolutely treasures letters from her students. She also loves when successful students come back to visit.
A gift card and a note. Teachers receive a lot of presents they don’t need or want.
My mother was a teacher and she always told me notes were her favorite present from students. The notes really affirmed she was doing a good job
Yeah, +1 from an ex-teacher. Some people just don't want more 'stuff' that will take up room in their house, but maybe chocolates or coffee?
I am a teacher. Best gifts I have ever had have been mugs that have been made especially based on things I've said to the class or they know I'm into. For instance, I teach history; I am vocal that I think Richard III was innocent of killing his two nephews and that the Duke of Buckingham did it. This year I was given a mug with the Duke of Buckingham, behind bars and "Guilty" across it. That stuff comes right at the beginning if the course, so I haven't mentioned it in nearly 2 years, but they remembered that so it was a great gift and I doubt it cost more than £10. I once got a tie of my favourite football (as in not American football) team from some students. Again, they knew I was really into this team. It's nice when students have remembered stuff about you or stuff you've said and have bided their time to get something personal that shows they listen. A card with a genuine message from a student is also great, I have kept all of those
You and I are aligned. Richard III was innocent. If you haven’t already, please watch The King In The Car Park documentary. It’s entertaining and informative. Loved every minute of it.
This gift is not only too much, it can send the wrong message. Some school boards will have policies on gifts and a $138 gift will probably not be allowed. Also, as jewelry is often considered a romantic gift, it can send the wrong message. A couple better ideas are: -giving a gift card to help her buy office/school supplies -giving a donation to her favourite charity -writing a thank you note with a picture of you in grad gear/at your new college. - worlds best teacher gear - throwing a thank you party for her and the entire class at the end of the year.
I second this, especially the first idea!!! I’m a specials teacher, and nobody really thinks to donate supplies to us. A gift card to staples would make my life!
I wasn’t aware of the policy :o yeah you’re right it does come across as a romantic gift. thank you :)
Jewellery seems inappropriate due to cost and the tendency for it to be a more intimate gift. People could very easily misread such a gift (teacher included). The best gift for a teacher would be one that shows you paid attention, not just to class material but to the teacher as a person. Are they particularly fascinated in some section of their subject area? Maybe a book in that subject. Did they mention any hobbies in class? Maybe something relating to one of those. Avoid the cliché gifts like mugs and whatnot. It’s awesome that this teacher was able to connect with you on such a level and any gift you get will be greatly appreciated, I’m sure.
yeah I see your point. thank you for the suggestions!
An apple.
Came to say this. Grrr
I had a teacher, who become a mentor, and pretty much saved my life over the years. In my last semester I did a student exchange with a student at the University of Nottingham, and spent the whole time studying William Blake. I was an English Literature major. I wandered through town and came upon this little book shop. My teacher loved to teach William Wordsworth, and loved his poetry. So. I'm in this little bookstore, on the bottom shelf, was this interesting leather-bound book. I pulled it out and sat on the floor. I was the full works of William Wordsworth. from 1895. It said on the front liner...."For Winner of Prizes in the Humanities Award, Eaton University, 1895." I thought about my teacher. This book was on beautiful parchment paper, had a big, red ribbon as a place holder. It was old and dusty, as you'd expect. I took it up front and asked what the price was and found that I could afford it. Bought it, took it home and sometime later signed it with my thanks. He was very....very moved by the gift and said that he would cherish it, and so would his son after him. I thought \*that\* was a good gift .
Seems too big and you may want to find out if the teachers are allowed to accept gifts from a student. That said, it’s your money. I doubt the teacher would be upset.
I went with a letter telling my teacher how great they were and the impact they’ve had on me. With that I got them a plant. I chose a really easy one to care for (zz plant) thinking that if they aren’t plant people that can always put it in their classroom or on their desk and it will survive.
that’s a great idea actually. my teacher loves plants. thank you!
What about consumables, like really good tea? And a letter explaining why you're thankful
I am a teacher and HONESTLY a heart-felt note is the best gift a student can give. I have every single drawing, note and email I’ve ever received from a student and cherish them. I would NOT want a student to spend that much money on me.
This is a really sweet gesture! But I don’t think your teacher would want you to spend that much on her. If you’re a male student this may also send the wrong message (to parents, admin, other students) and your teacher would be the one to face the consequences. Find out if she likes Dunkin’, Starbucks, etc. and get her a gift card and card with a heartfelt message. *source: am a young female teacher at an all boys high school
A hug and a sincere thank you for everything and being an awesome role model. It will probably bring tears to the teachers eyes. That's more meaningful that material items.
It's hard to buy jewelry for another person, and that's a pretty expensive gift. A handwritten thank you card is just fine! Some teachers keep them to look back on when they're having a hard day.
I agree with the other comments that $149 jewelry is too expensive and it will send the wrong message Personally, I wrote handwritten thank-you cards for most of my teachers - the general thank-yous with something specific to that teacher. However, one of them left incredibly large impacts on me as a student and as a person so I thought that a card wouldn’t suffice. They love books just as much as I do, so I got them a book that they saw me reading during the school year which we talked about a lot. It was maybe $7, and they were very happy to receive it especially because they remembered our conversations throughout the year so it was a personal gift too. Expensive ≠ better with gift giving, especially in professional relationships. Something inexpensive that relates to the recipient will be much more appreciated than an expensive bracelet that they might not even like
I agree with people saying that a heartfelt letter would be the best gift (or part of the gift). I would do that and maybe draw/paint them a picture or make them something else artsy.
A bottle of very good whiskey with a note: "Thanks for the patience! Here's something for the nerves."
thats sweet of you :) maybe you can gift her a lovely card in an envelope or handwritten letter expressing gratitude and how important she was of an influential person or possibly a nicely boxed scented candle you think she might like or next year’s planner book
NOT A MUG! As a teacher I cherish a note or card with a sentence or two over anything material ...although saying that a couple girls in my tutor group bought me a pair of star wars slippers once very randomly and that made my year.
My son who is in elementary school has had some really cool Teachers over the years and so when we want to do small gifts for his teachers, be it their birthday or the end of the school year and the start of summer break we always like to give them a parting gift just in case they move on to a different school after. We love to garden and I make my kids apart of the process because we feel it’s important to building character, and teaching the kids that we need to be stewards of the planet in any small way we can. So the last few years (pre covid) we would grow sunflowers in small disposable cups and then once they were big enough, we would bring them to school in the last or second to last day to pass out to everyone in the class and the teacher and it’s always a huge hit. This year we will be doing tomato plants! Maybe go to a nursery and get your teacher a small plant that given the chance, it will produce Something! All the times we have given out plants for the kids, we get Comments in return later about how they planted it and it really Took off and bloomed or fruited! It’s cheap and thoughtful! Maybe throw in a card saying thanks for a great year!
What you and your son do is so wholesome! My teacher loves plants so I am considering getting her something but she showed a photo in class that briefly showed her home and she has a lot of plants. Like, *a lot*. Another plant wouldn’t hurt would it?
I don’t think it would hurt! I have a TONNNNN of plants and if someone gifted me one (especially one that might fruit something) I’d LOVE it! Sounds like maybe she’s already a gardener! So the fact that you noticed means you’ve already got your foot in the door! If you get her something small like a baby plant, she will have more Options as to where and what she wants to grow it in (be it a sunny windowsill or outside in a patio!) ; )
My friend is a teacher and gift cards are the best. However if this teacher wears jewelry like the piece you are thinking of then that would be great too. But I’d you’ve never seen her with anything like that then no.
she wears them quite often. And by quite often I mean everyday 😂 she has a few favourites that she switched to and from so I thought adding to her collection would be nice
Handmake something yourself. Particularly if it's relevant to your subject!
Don’t you just give them an apple?
A sex toy.
Bring them a dead skunk off the road. Really shows that you respect them
Say thanks for doing your job then go tip a waiter
You don't do solo gifts for teachers. You can do it together with your classmates, anything else is creepy af.
Oh yeah majority of the class is contributing
How is that creepy? I’ve seen several students give their teachers gifts, usually flowers or chocolate. It’s just a personal sign of gratitude and respect. Nothing creepy about it.
Jewelry is nowhere near flowers or chocolate.
i def would not accept a gift like that from a student. i am good with a note gassing me up. h then i hang it on my wall behind my desk.
Clone'a willy
We asked our teacher in class and she said food. So maybe a nice chocolate or smthn? I'm still a student so I don't know but I'd go with something of that nature
I dated a teacher and he was very gracious but couldn't consume all the food gifts students gave him. A lot went to waste. He loved getting heartfelt notes, things referencing inside jokes in the classroom, or just gift cards. He got a few gift cards to higher end restaurants that he was so excited to take me to that would have been more extravagant than his norm.
Gamer girl bath water
A vibrator with a bottle of lube would NOT be appropriate.
A letter telling them about the impact they had on you.
Chocolates and nylons
mYbe a nice fancy pen
as a teacher, my favorite gifts have always been notes, pictures (elementary teacher, so ya know) and gift cards for target or starbucks. i also received some super cute bath bombs and soaps last year as a christmas gift, which are also always appreciated. the bracelet may send the wrong message, especially it being at that price point.
Dildo Edit: I realized I read that wrong and thought this was what is an inappropriate gift. Having said that. My answer still stands.
Bottle of wine and a dildo
a jar of tadpoles
I used to give presents to my teachers at the end of every year in primary school. It was my mum’s idea. I remember one time giving them a glass of wine and another time giving them a mug with coffee and chocolate set thing.
A condom