Gifts for Teachers -- No More Apples, Please

Ask any teacher, and she will tell you it isn't necessary, but many kids give their teacher a gift at the end of the school year. Especially the younger kids-it almost seems as if the younger the child, the more likely it is that he will give his teacher a present. I don't know about you, but I haven't seen too many high school kids rushing around, trying to find the perfect gift for each of their teachers.

"What are we going to give to the teacher?" is probably the first question your child will ask after you makes the suggestion to give the teacher an end-of-year gift. This is to be expected-most kids haven't had too much experience in giving presents to adults, so your child will need some guidance. You might need some assistance, too, if you want to make sure to get a gift that will actually be appreciated. Here are some basic ground rules:

Do not get a gift that says "Number #1 Teacher" or "Best Teacher." You may think that mugs, desk calendars, magnets, and tote bags that say things like "Teachers Are Special" or a soup bowl that says "You Are a Soup-er Teacher!" would be a perfect gift for a teacher. Trust me, though-any teacher is likely to already have dozens of items already like this. She may think it is cute, but it isn't something she really needs or wants.

Apple-themed gifts are also a no-no. Again, any teacher probably already has a lot of items with apples on them. If you want to gift a gift that she will really like, stay away from the apples.

Let your child help choose the gift. It may be easier for you to swing by the mall on your lunch hour from work and pick up a present, but allowing your child to help you will make the gift more personal. Your child will be a lot happier to give a gift of which he is proud.

Homemade gifts are a great idea. A gift doesn't have to be store-bought to be meaningful; there are plenty of things you can make with your child to present as a gift. Any teacher would love to get a gift that your child helped to make.