Still trying to decide what to get for your child’s teacher for the holidays? Before you buy, one former kindergarten teacher is warning us not to get them what she calls the “fruitcake” of classroom gifts. So, what is this item that educators definitely don’t want? Another coffee mug.

“First of all, teachers always appreciate gifts, whether it’s art from a student or a handwritten card,” Natalie Parmenter explains. “It means a lot, because we work really hard and don’t always get recognition.” But she points out that “the last thing teachers need is one more comically oversized mug that can’t go in the dishwasher.”

That may leave some parents scrambling to think of another appropriate present that would be more appreciated by teachers, and Parmenter has a suggestion - gift cards for a locally-owned coffee shop. She says teachers love getting gift cards, “no matter the amount.”

Other teachers agree about the mugs, including Chelsea Layne, who says after eight years in the classroom, she had 30 coffee mugs, adding, “I’m running out of space, people!”
Patricia Britton, another teacher, shares “We teachers do not want more mugs. I have a cabinet full of them, and I do not need more.”

For those looking for a last-minute teacher gift, kindergarten teacher Madison Stewart recently posted on TikTok asking educators for the best holiday gift they’ve ever gotten. Their responses include:

“A broken snowman ornament that a family said the child could take off the family tree for his teacher because they couldn’t afford anything. He chose the snowman because he knew I loved snow.”
“I had the sweetest child in third grade almost 20 years ago. She knew I liked the Steelers football team and painted a piece of wood black and yellow and made it into a ruler. I still have it.”
“Gift cards to places where I can’t use it on classroom supplies lol (where I’m forced to pick something for myself — like a dinner out or a new shirt).”
“I love getting blankets.”
“Box of homemade Christmas cookies.”
“I LOVE getting pictures, drawings and cards from my students and families. I have EVERY single one that I’ve received in my early childhood education years (10+years).”
“I actually LIKE mugs!”

Source: Today

Zach Dillon