What Montana Teachers Really Want For End Of Season Gifts

Like that old 80s hairband sang, "It's the final countdown!" to the end of the school year for Montana students. Undoubtedly, many teachers look forward to the break as much as students.

Teaching is a challenging job and if you doubt my statement, spend some time shadowing a teacher and perhaps you'll get a better idea of what an average day in the classroom entails. I know my kids' teachers are overworked and underpaid, so we try to show them our appreciation with small gestures throughout the year.

If you're unsure what to get your child's teacher as an "end-of-the-year" gift, how about some suggestions straight from a teacher's mouth? Someone recently posted on one of the Billings community Facebook pages, asking teachers for ideas. Here are some highlights.

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Massage gift cards

Almost everyone appreciates a massage, including teachers. This suggestion was posted multiple times. If you can't afford a full 60 or 90-minute gift certificate, even a 1/2-hour hand, foot, or scalp massage is an appreciated gift.

Coffee shop gift cards

Many teachers will appreciate a gift card to a coffee shop, but know your teacher first. My child's 2nd grade teacher doesn't drink coffee. A Soda Station gift card could be another great option.

Food gift cards

Not everyone drinks coffee... but everybody eats. Any teacher would surely appreciate a gift card to a local restaurant.

A nice pen

Teachers can appreciate a nice writing instrument. Make the gift special with a personalized, engraved message.

Beach Bucket

One teacher mentioned how special it was to receive a personalized beach towel. Another poster recommended making a "beach bucket" with various items such as sunscreen, a beach blanket, and other fun summer trinkets, perhaps topped off with a gift card.

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Cash

Cash was one of the best gifts when you opened a birthday card at age 5. Receiving cash was great when you graduated high school, and greenbacks were so appreciated when you got married.

Guess what. Teachers like cash too. Don't feel bad that you didn't have time to be Suzy Craftmaster on your kid's teacher gift. Slap a $20 bill in a card and I assure you they'll appreciate it more than a hodgepodge art project or generic tumbler.

It's the thought that counts.

While most teachers will probably cringe slightly when they receive yet another "#1 Teacher" coffee mug, several teachers on the thread shared that some of their most meaningful gifts were handmade. One former teacher shared this anecdote,

When I was teaching, it didn’t matter what the gift was. Just the thought of them taking the time to show their appreciation was meaningful enough! I still have cards, pictures, crafts, gifts, that I’ve kept over the years and it always makes me smile.

Another teacher wrote,