Teacher Gifts in Middle School

Source: Tween Parent Staff

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Finding the right gift for your tweens' teachers is always challenging. Now that your preteen is in middle school do you really have to buy gifts for the teachers? What if your child has six teachers? By junior high, most parents don't buy teachers gifts, however if your child wants to recognize a special relationship we have some suggestions.

As with all presents, the key to success is making it personal. Luckily, your tween is old enough to help choose or make the gift. We think this is good news as it is one less thing for you to do at the end of the school year!

Thank You Notes

A personal note from a student is often the most flattering form of appreciation. Sharing what makes a teacher special often means more than a gift. Encourage your preteen to use specific examples to make the note heartfelt and personal.

Help your tween organize their thoughts by sharing these tips on how to write a thank you note to a teacher.

Simple and Thoughtful Gift Ideas

Create a Teacher Recipe - A teacher recipe is the same as a traditional recipe, except the teacher's positive qualities are substituted for ingredients. Have your tween expand and personalize the following example on an index card.

3 cups of interesting
2 cups of encouragement
1 tablespoon of empathy
A dash of humor

Stir in kindness and a love of (add subject that is being taught), bake 20 minutes and you have the recipe for Mr. or Ms. Teacher.

Attached the recipe card to a bag of homemade treats and you have a memorable gift.

Teacher Survival Tote Bag - Teachers often have to pay for their own school supplies. Why not treat them to a small tote bag or gift box filled with colorful pens, markers, post-its, notepads, paperclips and other items that may be hard to come by in the teacher supply closet. Tweens love buying this stuff and teachers love having it.

Night at the Movies Gift Pack - After a busy day, relaxing with a movie is a treat. Let your tween acknowledge how hard their teacher works by filling a popcorn bucket or gift box with packages of microwave popcorn, extra large candy bars and a DVD or a gift card to Netflix.

Cookies and Treats - It's a classic, but meaningful if your tween makes the treats themselves. Have your preteen choose a favorite recipe that they think their teacher will enjoy. After baking the goodies and wrapping them up, attach the recipe on an index card with a note saying why they thought their teacher would enjoy the present.

The Tried and True Gift Card

Our research tells us that teachers prefer gift cards from Starbucks, Staples (for school supplies), bookshops and day spas. If coffee is a favorite beverage, Starbucks is the way to go since your preteen can design a custom card on their web site. Add a thoughtful thank you note and you have a gift teachers will appreciate.