Gift cards can be tailored to fit an individual teacher or used for all teachers in your group. A small note of appreciation can link the particular gift card to the occasion.
Ice cream shop gift cards can include the caption, "You are the coolest teacher!"
Flower shop or greenhouse gift cards can include captions such as "Thank you for 'growing' our children's minds" or "Our children 'bloom' because of you."
Book store or online bookstore certificates or cards can be used for classroom or personal purchases by a teacher. The accompanying note might say, "Thank you for opening the world of reading to our children."
Coffee shops or drive-through doughnut shops offer gift cards or certificates. The card might read, "A super teacher deserves a super start to her/his day."
Craft stores are a wonderland of ideas for classroom or personal purchases for any teacher. The note could read, "Your creative ideas make your classroom a wonderful learning environment."
Candy bar wrappers. Cut measured strips from white or colorful paper to fit around the candy bars. Have each child decorate a wrapper and add her name, then tape the wrappers around the candy bars. Make the gift even better by placing all the wrapped candy into a gift bag. Add a note such as "We're sweet on you!" or "You're the sweetest!"
Charm bracelet or key chain with the children's handprints. Trace children's hands onto shrinkable film (available at craft stores), then cut out the hand shapes. Children should write their names on their handprint in large letters, with a permanent marker. They may also decorate the handprints. Poke a hole in the upper edge of the handprint palm with a toothpick or pencil. Follow the directions that came with the film to shrink the handprints. String the cooled hands onto craft elastic or fasten with craft wire onto a charm bracelet chain.
"Thumbs Up" room decorations. Have children trace their handprints onto construction paper and cut out the hand shape. Fold the four fingers against the palm of the handprint and tape to hold. This will leave the thumb standing up, for a "thumbs up" symbol. Have children write their names just below the folded fingers. Fasten the handprints to a wall, door or bulletin board. You may want to make a sign that says, "Thumbs Up to Our Teacher."
Memory book. Have the children draw pictures or write poems or stories. Make a cover for the book that expresses appreciation to teacher. You might write on the cover, "You will be in our memories forever." Have the book spiral bound with plastic binding.
Wish list. Ask teachers to write wish lists of supplies/games/books/etc., for their classrooms. Families, administrators, or parent/teacher groups can then give gifts from the list.
Umbrella or rain poncho. Children may sign with permanent markers. Add a note that says, "You always bring sunshine to your students."
Sticky bag. Fill a bag with sticky note pads, tape, sticky tack for posters, or other stick-on items. Write on the bag, "We appreciate your stick-to-it-iveness!"
Subscription. Give a magazine or newspaper subscription to each teacher, to fit the grade level and teacher interests.
Many of the gift items in this list can be adapted to male teachers. Men might also appreciate gift cards for an oil change, car wash or hardware store.