washing and heating instructions before you purchase.
What Not to Buy Don’t base your gifts around how the classroom is themed and decorated. If the classroom is decked out in all things farm animal related, that doesn’t mean you should follow suit with a cow-shaped mug. Sometimes, the simpler or more neutral the gift, the better. Put the candles and lotions down. What smells good to you may not smell that wonderful to your giftee, which is an unfortunate disappointment for both of you. “Stay away from candles and lotions unless you know that it is a specific brand or scent that the teacher prefers,” warns Holden. “I have thrown away and/or regifted several candles and lotions and soaps that I couldn’t stand the smell of. Scents are so subjective, so if you like giving them as gifts in candles, lotions, or soaps, ask the teachers beforehand which ones they like.” Don’t be Afraid to Ask It’s tough to give out gifts, even tougher when you don’t have a close relationship with a person. It’s good to ask what someone would like before you go gift shopping, but don’t trust everything that comes out of your child’s mouth when they make suggestions. Holden recommends creating a Google form or a template email that asks the teacher about their favorite restaurants, scents, brands, sports teams, snacks, desserts, and colors. She notes that this is great to have on hand since you can reference the response for buying presents beyond Teacher Appreciation Week, like for holidays or birthdays. That’s a convenient, win-win situation for everyone. A Gift From the Heart Sometimes, spending money isn’t an option, and that’s okay. One great way to show your teacher that you appreciate all that they do is to write a thank-you note. You can even write two–one from you as the parents and another from your child. This is especially good to do for older students who likely have multiple teachers. All in all, Teacher Appreciation Week is a time for your student to show how thankful they are to receive an education and for all the sacrifices that educators have had to make for the school year to run successfully while still being fun and exciting. Besides, who doesn’t love getting warm fuzzies from giving a well-meaning gift?
NOLAFAMILY.COM | MAY 2023 19
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