Make Pool Party Teddy Grahams

We haven’t done end of the year gifts for my daughter’s teachers in a long time, but I remember it being important when she was in lower grades and had the same teacher for most of the day.

Most teachers will tell you the thing they want most is a personalized and heartfelt thank you, from the parents and/or the kids. If you know enough about what went on to share a story about what the teacher did for your child or how they felt about that teacher, so much the better.

Of course you can also throw in a gift card (teachers pretty much universally appreciate cards from Amazon, Target or Walmart). If you know the teacher’s favorite coffee place or fast food, a gift card for those places would be great too.

Make a gift card a little more special with a printable gift card holder like these from Kids Activities Blog.

Another great idea is to give them a gift of school supplies they can use in the classroom next year. I think every teacher would love some extra glue sticks, pencils or art supplies, and if you can present them in a cute way so much the better. Add the supplies to a basket or Mason jar, or use some of the ideas from Hands on as We Grow for inspiration.

That post also has a collection of cards that kids can make for their teacher, which is always a good addition to any of these gifts. My Little Moppet has another roundup of cards. I love this superhero one from Artsy Mama, which is meant to go with a candy bar but it doesn’t have to.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, but I also loved to give gifts of papering like foot scrub. This recipe comes with a summer themed printable to thank teachers for a great year.

What do you like to do or get for end of the year gifts? I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Artsy Mama]