Two of our children’s favorite teachers are retiring this year after decades of teaching at our little community school. My children loved them so much that nearly every morning at breakfast in the past few weeks they have become weepy thinking about their teachers not being around for a mid-day hug next year. The kids and the teachers are like a giant extended family at our tight-knit school and we’re always sad for a school year to end.

There are multiple times in the year when it’s appropriate to send a small gift of appreciation to your child’s teacher, but sometimes it can hard to know what to get that would be unique. Here are three occasions when we like to give gifts to our beloved educators.

1.       Back to school. I try to give a goody basket at Back to School Night with items for the classroom. Some teachers even send home a wish list on the first day to give parents suggestions of items they may be in need of. Crayons, markers, dry erase markers, and reward stickers are a few easy and obvious items no teacher can turn down. I also like to throw in a package or two of blank notes or thank you notes to have on hand during the year.

2.     Holiday season. Many of the teachers and parents are health conscious at our school and so I try to not give homemade goodies to the teachers. Instead, in the past few years I’ve opted for a fresh pineapple with a nice ribbon as a holiday adornment. The teachers appreciate the gesture and it doesn’t hamper their wastelines, either.

3.     End of the year. Bath and Body Works always has a semiannual sale during the first week of June and I love to buy an assortment of lotions and antibacterial soaps for our girls’ teachers. What teacher isn’t happy to stave off flu and cold season while still smelling yummy? The best part is that these gifts don’t break your budget because everything is on sale.

Question: What do you do to show appreciation to your child’s teacher?