Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up. My daughter’s school is doing a Hollywood Style themed week full of gifts and fun things for the teachers. While sending a gift each day might not work for your budget, you can pick one day to do something for your child’s teacher. I’ve learned that you don’t have to spend a lot of money for someone to feel appreciated. It’s the thought that goes behind it. I’ve also learned that most teachers like practical gifts.
It can be expensive to send a gift each day to your child’s teacher (especially if you have more than one child in school); however, the key to being able to do it is picking up items/gifts all along when you see them at super low prices. For example, shop the school supply section after school has started to grab markers, paper, and other practical items your child’s teacher can use. You don’t need school supply items then, but when it’s at a 75% discount, it is so much cheaper than paying full price when you do need it.
Here is what I did for each day with a breakdown of how much it cost.
Day 1: I’m a “Fan” Day.
For this day, students are supposed to bring “fan mail” to their teachers. This doesn’t require any money at all! Simply have your child draw a picture or write a note to his/her teacher.
Day 2: “Treat” You Like a Star Day.
This is a day to send a snack/treat for your teacher. I picked up a cup from Target ($3.00), a bottle of Strawberry Watermelon Market Pantry Beverage Enhancer ($2.87), and a bag of Lindt Chocolates ($4.49). I put the bottle of water flavoring in the cup and dropped a few of the Lindt chocolates around it. I wrote a little note and then tied tulle around the cup to attach the note.
I know when I’m stressed, I like chocolate, and teaching can be a stressful job! I wasn’t sure of her teacher’s favorite drink, so I thought sticking with some water flavoring was a safe bet.
Day 3: “Behind the Scenes” Day.
Teachers do a lot of work “behind the scenes” to get ready for their classes daily; one of which is to clean their classroom. Since by the end of the year most of the cleaning supplies that were on the school list at the beginning of the year have already been used, it’s a good time to send your child’s teacher some cleaning supplies.
It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money either. I went through my stock pile and pulled out Lysol Wipes, a bottle of Method Cleaner, Glade Scented Oil Warmer (almost always a money maker), Glade Scented Oil Refills, and a bottle of Windex Electronics Cleaner. Since I had couponed for everything (except the cute bucket I put it it, which was $3.00 at Target), I spent a total of around $8.00.
Day 4: “Lights, Camera, Appreciation Day”
For this day, we were asked to send supplies our child’s teacher can use in the classroom.
Once again, I went to my stock pile where I had a pack of Expo Markers I had picked up for just 75¢ (reg. $2.99) at Target after school started back. I didn’t want to send just Expo Markers so I added a bottle of board cleaner for $3.29 from Target, tied a tulle bow on it with a personalized note.
Day 5: VIP Day
For this day, we were asked to just bring a gift for the teacher. Yet again, I pulled from my stockpile/gift closet. I had picked up a small Stress Free Gift Set from Bath & Body Works back in February when they had them for just $10.00 shipped for a Teacher Appreciation Gift (See my trend here? Picking up items at super low prices before I need them? ).
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to let someone know they are appreciated. I was only able to do all of this because I’ve learned to pick up gifts before I need them, keep a small stock pile, and purchase items at rock bottom prices for when I do need them.
