Does buying gifts for your kids’ teachers cause you stress at Christmas?
With four kids in school, buying Christmas gifts for teachers caused me an unending amount of stress.
As far as I’m concerned, every teacher deserves an amazing Christmas gift.
However, with four kids and multiple teachers for which to buy gifts, giving high-end, amazing, Christmas gifts was not an option.
Giving gifts to the teachers in your kiddos lives does not need to be stressful.
By following a few simple guidelines you can reduce the stress and feel confident with the gift you are choosing to give.
A gift does not need to be expensive to be appreciated.
In fact, according to the small group of teachers I asked, notes of appreciation and handmade gifts are high on the list of gifts teachers like to receive.
A handmade, handwritten note of appreciation is a great gift.
Teachers, like anyone else, like knowing they are appreciated.
Teachers are with our kids a large part of the day.
Show your appreciation for their contribution with a nice handwritten note.
Mention something specific that you genuinely appreciate.
Do not feel obligated to give a gift.
Although gifts are appreciated by teachers, giving a gift is not obligatory.
If your situation prevents you from giving a gift, it’s ok.
Consider giving a standard gift.
Kids are in school for a very long time. Why reinvent the wheel every year?
Settle on a standard teacher’s gift and make it your annual gift.
You will never have again need to revisit what to give the teacher at Christmas.
I asked a friend who has multiple kids how her family handled gifting teachers at Christmas.
Her solution is genius!
Her family has an established family tradition of making and giving personalized gingerbread Christmas ornaments.
Over the course of several days, they make and personalize the ornaments for all their kids’ teachers and classmates as well.
In the process of making unique, personalized gifts, they are creating family memories.
Get your creative juices flowing and come up with your own family favorite to give as a gift.
Plan for and buy, or make, your gift early.
Running out to buy a last-minute gift is a recipe for disaster to both your budget and your sanity.
While there is still time, decide on and purchase, or make, your gift early.
Set a budget.
Set a budget to keep from being tempted to overspend.
Remember, a gift doesn’t have to be large to be appreciated.
Above all, be kind and considerate.
Don’t make gifting dependent upon whether your child likes a teacher.
You are sowing seeds in your kids that will way outlast any Christmas gift you will ever give.
The Christmas season is a stressful time of year.
Follow just a few simple guidelines to eliminate at least one area of stress at Christmas!
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