Don't get me wrong I'm not ungrateful. I love the gesture that people make. I love the sentiment. I love the idea that people thought about you as they made their purchase. But really I'd rather go to concert with you or out to dinner or read a heart felt card you made than put another paper weight on my desk or another coffee mug in my cabinet. Oh yeah as a teacher I get them by the dozens with very creative titles like "My Favorite Teacher's cup of Joe" or "A+ Teacher."
Thankfully my mom is now the proud owner of all these mugs. Every summer she fishes them out of my"to be garage saled" bin.
Thankfully my mom is now the proud owner of all these mugs. Every summer she fishes them out of my"to be garage saled" bin.
How could you get rid of these 'mija? I will save them for your retirement. tsk tsk.
So than what do you get your child's teacher if you wanna give them an experience?
One clever mom at our school decided to create a "spa" atmoshpere in the faculty bathroom for the teachers in our hallway.
This is what the faculty bathroom usually looks like (the poor suckers in the 300 hall didn't get the spa make-over). Very institutional: four cement walls, toilet paper that melts in your mouth it's so thin, cardboard paper towel that rubs you raw and pink soap that comes out like frog spawn.
Spa 200 looks like this now....
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
On the rickety school desk in the corner this parent laid out a festive tablecloth and placed all the teacher esstentials (Ibuprofen, Vitamin C, Candy canes, and a hand held massager for those really stressful days). In a basket she added a fancy shmancy collection of creams, body oils, hairspray etc.
At the sink a nice vase of flowers and lovely soaps and creams.
And for the sports fans in our hallway (which are many) she included a copy of the lastest Sports Almanac toilet side.
And for the sports fans in our hallway (which are many) she included a copy of the lastest Sports Almanac toilet side.
I can't tell you how our staff has reacted to this very simple but creative gesture.
Have you been to the spa today? my colleague asks, Try the Vanilla Mint cream its very nice..(in her best Borat impression) very, very nice.
I leave every day from work now sucking on a candy cane and smelling like jasmine and oranges.
Now that is the gift of experience.
Any other clever ideas? Send 'em my way...
10 comments:
that is so COOL! damn i wish i thought of that.
i know that you guys get WAY too many mugs and ornaments. so this year we made a jar of homemade cinnamon pancake mix--they can eat it and reuse the jar for something else. and i the fact that we spent time making it with the kids as a family is important.
we also made a donation to Heifer international in each teacher's honor.
Running on empty
That is such a great gesture! What a fabulous way of showing appreciation for the work you do, and brightening up your workplace so you can continuing doing good work!
I like Christine's idea of donations to Heifer International-- such a great organization and concept.
Our PTSA collected money to give the teachers giftcards. The teachers will get to select the giftcards they want from a variety of choices: QFC/Fred Meyer, Great Harvest Bread, etc. Lots of practical and good choices.
I find that I'm giving a lot of books this year to nieces and nephews. A birding field guide to my science-loving nephew; The Anne of Green Gables collection to my niece. I think of these as giving experiences.
This year we're giving our children (excluding Eli, who, being only 2, will get nothing from us and won't miss it!) gift certificates: stay up 30 minutes late; eat dessert first; 30 minutes screen time; date with papa; date with mama; your choice of dinner; nature walk with mama, etc. I know they won't be thrilled right when they receive them, but I'm hoping they like it as they redeem them over the next months.
Great post, SM, and good reminder to all of us to think outside the gift-giving box!
i wish i had one...this is so fantastic. so thoughtful.
STOP IT!!!
That is the coolest idea eva...
When I was teaching we shared the bathroom with the men and they used to stank it all up...I should have thought of this!
i love it what a kind guesture.
okay i'm stealing ally's gift ideas.. fantastic stuff!
b
christine and ally great ideas I'm definitely stealing those! Here is another one...instead of buying presents for everyone you are hanging out with during the holidays just put on a big themed dinner. For my family we are doing "Christmas in New Orleans" complete with jambalaya, fried okra and mardi gras beads. For the Docta's family that we will see later we will be throwing a Christmas in Oaxaca and the Docta's making Mole.
Maybe I'm at the wrong sort of school! It would be really nice to get an ornament or a mug from the parents let alone that other stuff! It is great that the parents of your students appreciate you! xx
I have no clever ideas, but am totally taking yours.
I'm Grinchy that way.
that is a WONDERFUL idea for teachers! i may have to float it by our PTO...
Ah the little things that aren't that little. Nice.
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