I didn't even know that giving teachers a gift was a thing until pinterest came along. Of course I hated the idea immediately. I just didn't get it. I don't remember ever giving a teacher a gift growing up. My dad is a teacher, and I don't remember him ever getting a gift either. It's entirely probable that I'm wrong and both of those things occurred regularly and I just blocked it out for some reason.
Then about eight minutes after declaring that I hated the idea, I changed my mind. I decided that if my kid has a special connection with a teacher, then I could be on board with a small offering. None of that $25 gift card crap, though. It would have to be something specific and thoughtful.
Then came today.
I gave our "teacher" a gift and a long winded thank you card. I gave it. The kid wrote a bunch of nonsense and drew a flower and then taped two pieces of paper together.
Calling Lynn a teacher doesn't really explain what she does. She's really more of a family mentor. I am beyond grateful for finding her "class" and the other moms who attended. Thank you, ladies, for being a consistent presence in our lives for the past three years. You all have funny, engaging beautiful children whom I will miss and not soon forget.
Oh! And the teacher gift. Lynn likes to cook, so I went to Goodwill to find some sort of baking tin to use as a planter. I found a nice fluted tart pan, but the kid liked this small blue pan better. I especially like that it has a couple of burn marks. We added sempervivum and stonecrop and there you have it!
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteI tend to resort to cash equivalents for teacher gifts, mainly because I can't think of anything good to give!
Thanks, it was fun putting it together. It'll be interesting going forward if I'll feel pressure about the gift giving.
DeleteThat's such a great idea!! The thought and care that went into this is awesome. I'm not one for major gifts but I can remember cutting a rose from our garden to give to my teacher on the last day of school once.
ReplyDeleteAww..I bet that was the sweetest gift your teacher received that year. Is M going to preschool this year?
DeleteI love this idea... so creative and thoughtful! I love the blue pan!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love the blue pan, too. I'm thinking about going back to GW to make one of these for myself ;)
DeleteThis is such a great gift idea! Teacher appreciation gifts can get out of control, but this is personal and heartfelt. I'm sure she loved it!
ReplyDeleteI hope I don't feel peer-pressure to get out of control. We really enjoyed our time with Lynn, and I'm glad we gave her a small token.
DeleteVery sweet. Something she will be able to look at and remember that she touched some lives. I also used to give my best teachers flowers from the mums in the backyard. I never did it every year only the teachers that I really loved. I don't know if it is mom pushed or just because I did it.
ReplyDeleteLuckily my daughter has lots of her own ideas, so I'm sure in the future she will pick out what to give and who to give to. I hope we can continue to keep it simple!
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