When Teacher Appreciation Day comes around, students and their parents start looking for great teacher appreciation gift ideas. There are lot of options out there and many sites that sell small personalized items. But, sometimes you don’t have a ton of money. How do you still show appreciation for a teacher, but save money? A great way is with a gift card combined with a handwritten note.
Gift Card Options for Teacher Appreciation Day
Everyone appreciates gift cards. Whether it’s for a local restaurant, the movies, or a place like Walmart or Target. When it comes to gift card amounts, it can depend on the place. A gift card a restaurant may be the same situation. A nice gift amount is enough for two people to get a meal with an appetizer or dessert. You don’t want to save money by giving a gift certificate to a cheap restaurant – that could look insulting. So, if you have the money for this, then certainly consider it. However, there are other, less expensive options as well.
A gift card for the movies would probably be less than a gift card for a local restaurant. You do want to give at least enough for two adults for an evening show. That way a teacher can take someone with them, whether a spouse, or friend. Throw in enough for popcorn and a soda and that makes a great gift. While this is usually cheaper than a restaurant, it may still be more than you would like to spend.
Gift cards to Target, Walmart or similar can be purchased in amounts that may fit with a small budget better. Still, $10-$15 is a good range. This gives the teacher enough to get a few items, whether for the classroom, or for themselves. It would cover the cost of a DVD, or a picture frame, certainly. Yet, if you have a lot of teachers to get gifts for, even this will add up quickly.
The lowest gift card denomination that you should probably get is $5. This is enough to get a latte or cup of coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts, Panera Bread, or Starbucks. This is also a great amount to go with a handwritten letter to the teacher.
Handwritten Teacher Appreciation Day Letters
Of course the first option for a letter is from your child. While older children may roll their eyes at this suggestion, younger children usually like to write. Even though their writing may not be the smallest, or neatest, they can really enjoy the project.
Another option is if you write a letter to the teacher. Make sure to include why you appreciate the work that they do. Highlight a particular instance if you can. You want to be sure that the teacher sees it as personal, not like a general note that could be for any teacher. An especially nice touch is if you copy the principal on the letter, or write a separate letter directly to the principal.
As you can see, personalized teacher gifts don’t have to be complicated or even expensive. If you have the money, then certainly a gift card can be a good choice. On the other hand, if you don’t have a lot of money, then a small denomination card for a cup of coffee will be appreciated. But, perhaps the best part of the gift is if you include a handwritten letter to the teacher. Whether from your child or from you, this is a gift that will last a lot longer than a cup of coffee.
