Teachers love to have a library of books, either for classroom use or their personal sets. Your child can find out from the teacher what kind of books she likes or would like to have for the class. This gift is inexpensive and practical, and specifically good for the teaching profession.
Parents and children can work together on this gift, making it a thoughtful contribution. Bake cookies, cakes or muffins to give a teacher. Make sure you find out if the teacher has any allergies before presenting him with any home-cooked food.
Plants are a great gift to spruce up the classroom; teachers can also assign watering the plant as a fun responsibility. Pick a plant that isn't hard to take care of, such as a ficus plant, fern or common flowers such as daisies.
If you want to give a gift, but aren't sure what the teacher might like, a gift certificate is your best choice. Present a gift certificate in a small amount ($20 to $50) to a store with a lot of options. Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Netflix or Staples are all appropriate choices for a teacher.
If your child knows the teacher's preferences well, a personalized gift sometimes means more than any other kind. Consider making a donation to a charity the teacher is fond of, having your child write an appreciative letter about the teacher or create a scrapbook with pictures and quotes the teacher might like.