Monday, April 18, 2022

End of Year Teacher Celebrations

While popular opinion is that 2020 and 2021 felt incredibly long, it seems that by contrast, 2022 is absolutely flying by. Hard to believe that we will wrap up another school year soon and kids will be off to camp and enjoying summer. Before we close the books on the school year, let’s take a moment to honor our teachers.  Here are some ways that you can celebrate them this season! 
 
1.     Organize a luncheon.   Sign Up Genius makes it easy to plan a luncheon with dozens of volunteers. Create a free account at SignUpGenius.com. Choose from hundreds of design templates or upload your own images or even your school logo.  You’ll want to create several “slots” for which people can sign up.   For a luncheon, we suggest creating slots for sandwiches, fruit salad, pasta salad, side dish, green salad, and dessert.  If you are serving a lot of teachers, add multiple slots for each category.  Get creative and choose a theme like Mexican, where you suggest that all the volunteers bring Mexican dishes! 
 
2.     Get their favorites!   There are some great resources for creative ways to ask teacher their “favorites.” We found this great Q & A where our teacher had to answer everything from her favorite scent to her favorite restaurant.  Organize a collection with the other families to donate cash and have one (or two) people shop for her favorites.  By knowing her favorite scent, you can choose an appropriate candle.  By knowing her favorite restaurant, you can score a gift card to that restaurant.  Build a basket of her “favorites” and she’ll feel so honored.  What’s better than getting things that you actually want? 
 
3.     Find a small gift!  A traditional way to honor teachers is a small gift.  We love these “Best Teacher Ever” trinket trays where he can stash paper clips, erasers, gum, candy, earrings or just about anything.  With a bold font and colorful options, this tray looks great on any desk.   

Best Teacher Ever Glass Tray by Evy Jacob
 
Here are 3 other favorite teacher gifts we love:  
 
-       From the Classroom of Personalized Stamp: This personalized stamp is great for teachers to stamp books that belong to them or for notes home to parents.  Customize it to make it for your teacher! 
Mason Row - Rectangle Self-Inking Stamp (Clearly)


-       A personalized notepad is a little luxury that your teacher will likely never buy for themselves, but you can score them one that can be used all year-round for notes home to parents/students or quick notes as reminders at their desk.  

Prints Charming Notepads - Blue Monogrammed Apple

-       These “Live, Love, Learn” notepads are priced right and make a good gift to give to a lot of teachers.  If your child is older and has several teachers, consider stocking up on these. Tie with a ribbon and a handwritten note and you have a simple gift that everyone will appreciate. 

Dittie Notepads by Donovan Designs (Live Love Learn)
 
4.     Write a heartfelt note!  Don’t underestimate the power of a thoughtful, handwritten note to your child’s teacher.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a big impact and show your appreciation. Take out your trusty stationery and start writing. If you are the kind of person that tends to need multiple drafts, you may want to first write your letter out on a piece of scrap paper or even type it.  When the message is perfected, transfer it to your family stationery or personal stationery. The best kinds of notes are ones that are specific.  Instead of blanket sentiments like, “you’re a great teacher”, choose specific instances where the teacher was great.  For example, “Annie really showed improvement this year in her reading. Thank you for taking the time to work with her during novel study. She loved how you read Indian in the Cupboard out loud and had them read it at home. What a great book and way to reinforce their reading comprehension!” 
 
Here are some ideas for stationery for you or for your family on which to write this beautiful note. 
 
-       For personalized stationery, check out our selection of Crane stationery (currently on sale).  We love the simplicity and timeless quality of these designs. 

Crane & Co. - Perfectly Personalized Flat Cards (Beach Glass Card)

-       For stationery for your family, we love these simple options by Rytex.  You’ll want a basic stationery with your family’s last name (e.g. The Smith Family) for any occasion. From sympathy notes to a note to your neighbor, a good basic is essential. This is certainly fitting for a nice note to thank your teacher! 

Stationery/Thank You Notes by Rytex - Hand Bordered Cards (Navy)
 
You know the mad dash at the end of the year?  The one where you are packing up for camp, trying to remember to thank coaches and teachers, running around to end of year parties, and generally just spread thin?  Avoid that this year and get ahead.  Order your teacher gifts or plan your teacher appreciation now. You’ll be glad you did!  
 
Have tips and tricks on how to honor your teacher to share with us? Share them here or on our blog page. We would love to hear from you! 

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