This was originally posted Dec 2006, but it had such a positive response, we are bringing it out again. Let us know what you gave your child’s teacher.

It’s that time again–the time to pick out the teacher gift. I’ve only had to do this twice, and I think I blew it the first time. I gave J’s preschool teacher a mug with pencils and tea/hot chocolate in it, all wrapped up cute with cellophane and a ribbon, and even a tag. This was all packaged for me already when I bought it, which made it a double bonus. But I was told later by somebody in the know that teachers hate gifts like that. Most teachers have mugs and ornaments with kids’ art coming out the wazoo.

But teacher gifts are tricky, because you don’t want to spend too much for fear of looking extravagant, and you don’t want to spend too little for fear of looking like a cheapskate, so the whole thing leaves me a little befuddled and confused.

So I know there are a lot of teachers and former teachers out there who read this blog, and I coming to you, mug humbly in hand, and asking you, What do you want for Christmas?

I eagerly await your replies.

UPDATE: This year, I gave my son’s teacher a gift certificate to Starbucks. It even came in a cute little stocking. No muss, no fuss. If she doesn’t drink coffee, there are some excellent pastries to nosh.