Giving a gift to a teacher that invokes memories is a fantastic way to memorialize the school year. To make a class poster, ask permission to take a class photo with all of the students and teachers. A fun place to take a class photo for pre-K classes is on the playground, a favorite place for early childhood students. Take the image to a local photo developer and select one of the poster options available. Once the poster has been printed with the class photo as the focal point, take the poster back to the class and either allow students to sign the poster with a permanent marker or acrylic paint, or allow them to put a hand print on the poster surrounding the class photo.
Teachers enjoy gift cards of all kinds. A fun way to commemorate the school year is to ask parents to either donate $5 or purchase $5 gift certificates from a variety of vendors around town. To present the gift cards in a fun way, go to the local discount store and purchase a photo tree. Each arm has a clip to hold individual loose photos. Instead of putting photos in the clips, clip the gift cards. Special gift cards for teachers could include cards for local book stores, coffee shops, fast food restaurants and teacher supply stores.
Pre-K teachers can never have too many carry-all bags. A great gift for pre-K teachers is a customized canvas bag. Go to the local arts and crafts store and look for plain canvas bags. Have students cover either their hands or feet with paint and make a print on the canvas bag. As children place their prints on the bag, write with a permanent marker the name of the student below the print. If the bag is large enough, paint the stems of flowers in a bouquet arrangement in the center of the bag and have students place their handprints like flowers around the top of the stems. Write a message such as "Thanks a Bunch."
Baskets are fun to make and the teacher who receives a gift basket will enjoy looking through it to discover all of its treasures. Baskets with themes are a great idea; for example, in a movie-themed basket students can include cinema gift cards, DVDs, movie theater candy and microwave popcorn packets. An Italian dinner basket with various dried pastas, sauces, breadsticks and Italian cookies is another enjoyable idea. A relaxation basket with herbal teas, bubble bath, CDs and magazines will put a smile on a teacher's face.