Male Teacher - Christmas Gift

Updated on October 24, 2010
M.D. asks from Pittsburgh, PA
34 answers

This is the first year that my daughter has had a male teacher and I am a little stumped. In the past we have always sent in little seasonal goodies for the teacher but I am not sure what to do for "him". I feel that a male teacher is not going to appreciate seasonal note pads, note cards, kid made crafts etc. So with Christmas approaching (and my lack of time management) I thought I would see what you think. What do I get for the male teacher? I know gift cards are a great choice but sometimes a little over done. I am pretty sure that he would not enjoy candles, bath lotions, ornaments or picture frames (which are the common female teacher gifts). I am just at a loss. What did you get for your child's male teacher at Christmas?

To answer a few questions:
This is an elementary school teacher :) I do not know if he is married or if he has children. I don't know what his hobbies are or if he is a sports fan.
I was trying to get away from the gift card idea and think more practical and outside the box a little.
I do like the idea of a basket of teacher supplies, I will just need to figure out what it is he could use.
Please keep the suggestions coming :)
Thank you

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So What Happened?

Thank you all so much for your input and opinions, it was very helpful. I have talked to a few mom's of other children in class and we will probably put together a small "Teacher Supply Basket", combined with a gift card from the class. That way we can feel like we gave him a gift and he got what he would use.
Thanks again for all of the ideas!

Featured Answers

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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

After seeing my sister in law accumulate and re-gift tons of student gifts over the years (30 yrs) (after all how many candles and coffee mugs do you need?), we usually bought a gift card for all the teachers with a theme that met their interests. I would often buy a blockbuster certificate (in the old days) or movie tickets and put that in a popcorn bucket with a favorite candy or beverage. Or buy a $5 or a $10 gift card from a local store. Last year both Target and Hobby Lobby seemed to have gift cards that were themed teacher thank you. If we knew the teacher had certain habits or hobbies, I also tried to highlight that. We used to see one teacher at a local fast food place, so I got a Sonic Gift card (and they gave me a bunch of coupons to go with it. P.s. After retiring from teaching, she still has most of the hand written cards that the kids made for her over the years.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.N.

answers from Philadelphia on

A good bottle of high-end oil or vinegar. Think "Williams Sonoma" or O and Co.
I always like to give gifts that I would want myself!

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R.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

Mom's out there will not like my answer. If you only knew how many cute note pads, candles, and "teacher gifts" are given to each and every elementary teacher, you'd be amazed. My daughter is a teacher. She is most appreciative of baked goods, gift cards to Staples (She buys things for her classroom), book stores, and yes, even gift cards a family might enjoy no matter how small the denomination. Try to think of something you might enjoy receiving.

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H.L.

answers from Cleveland on

If you shop early, Kohl's often has leather gloves for 50% off! I usually purchase leather gloves for Christmas, teachers love them.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from Houston on

Teachers LOVE gift cards. Starbucks, I was excited when I got one for Borders last year(from a student), or any other bookstore, last year I gave my son's teachers chickfila gift cards, or to any restaurant. Homemade goodies are awesome too or even in addition to a gift card to make it more personal. ;)

2 moms found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

I'm a teacher, and it doesn't matter if the teacher is male or female. The gift we all love the most is a simple gift card. But, just know that any token or gesture is greatly appreciated. I don't ever expect gifts from my students, and I am always so overwhelmed by the families' generosity.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Wichita on

is he married? Maybe he'd like some homebaked goodies.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

I would say a restaurant or itunes gift card... Or Best Buy... I know that's a little bit sexist, but most men like food, music, and electronics. ;)

1 mom found this helpful
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L.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

Sometimes I like giving the gift of experiences: movie tickets, restaurant gift card, minature golf passes, tickets to whatever special attractions that happen to in or near your town. Also, you can always get him a more masculine notepad for his desk or perhaps a desk or wall calendar would be something that he'd like.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.B.

answers from New York on

A handwritten note of appreciation from your child (if old enough to write) or from you. A scratch-off or instant lottery ticket. Itunes gift card or a gas gift card is also well-received. Movie tickets or a platter of homemade or bakery made cookies, pastries & chocolates. You don't have to ask the teacher directly if you want it to be a nice surprise. Ask another teacher who knows him well or someone in the office.

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from San Francisco on

99% of teachers would love to just receive gift cards. Ie to a local independent bookstore, place with cool school supplies or a coffeehourse.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

As the wife of a teacher, we have received some interesting gifts. I would suggest a scarf, a gift card to the Barnes and Noble, a picture of the class in a frame (more likely a good gift for elementary, not so much high school), a gift card to Starbucks or other local coffee shop. Lotions and frilly stuff would be out.

Does your daughter know what he likes? She should look around the classroom and see what posters he has up. Does he have a quirky sense of humor? Does he wear silly ties?

Please don't bake anything. It always seems like such a nice idea to make something from scratch, but we never eat food brought in by students unless we really know them well. I also teach at a university and am a bit hesitant to eat anything my students make as well.

A creative gift might be nice too.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.L.

answers from Erie on

Can you ask another teacher if he is a coffee drinker or has other likes/interests? If you'd prefer to stay away from a gift card, you could make a nice gift basket on a theme:
- coffee basket with mug (personalized or just fun), ground coffee selections (probably sticking closer to original roast than some of the fru-fru flavors),
- pasta basket with fun kid-shaped pasta (to keep it teacher themed), jars of sauce, seasonings, grated cheese (the kind that doesn't need to be refigerated), olive oil
- one of your daughter's favorite casserole (or crockpot) recipes, written on a fun recipe card with her name on it, along with the main ingredients to make it - this one is personal and yet practical, even if his wife does all the cooking
I suggest asking your daughter what she'd like to do for her teacher, since that's what the gift should be all about - she needs to learn the spirit of generosity rather than you worrying about how your gift stacks up with others...

1 mom found this helpful
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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

I have given teachers this and they seem to like it. I get one of those tubs that has popcorn in it. The kind you put in the microwave and it pops the corn in the tub. Then I put a small bottle of their favorite soda, a box or two of candy, and a $5.00 gift card to a movie rental place in the tub. I have bought the tub of popcorn at Blockbuster as well as the gift card. I can buy the candy and soda cheaper at the grocery store. I have seen the tubs of popcorn at Walmart, too.

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Last year one of my fellow parents asked our teacher to fill out a survey which included things like favorite restaurant, hobbies, snacks, candy, bookstore, theatre etc. I found this online and would be happy to email you a copy. Just send me a PM including your email address and I will forward it to you.

J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

Is he married? Does he have kids?

Single or Married:
gift cards to Home Depot or Lowes or a local sporting good store

Kids:
Gift certificate to go to the local zoo, aquarium, etc. Something he can do with his kids during the holiday break.

other idea:
- make something crafty, like a book or a poem about why Mr. Jones is a great teacher. "J stands for JUST because he is always fair. Like the time that Billy did blah blah . . . " O is for . . . .

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Get him either something food related or a gift card to somewhere like a wings restaurant.

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L.M.

answers from New York on

My daughter had a male teacher who drank a lot of coffee. My girl friends kids were selling Dunkin Donuts coffee for a fund raiser, so that's what I gave.

Homemade cookies are always a special treat (although the male teacher was a diabetic on insulin, so that didn't work for me).

Personally, I tend to hate the idea of gift cards, but in the case of teachers I think it's a good idea. They really don't want or need more candles, picture frames, etc.

I love the idea of a basket with supplies.

L.M.

answers from Dover on

What about a Christmas tie? A coffee and mug set? What about making a hot chocolate cone putting it with a nice coffee mug (or travel mug)?

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T.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

I haven't read your other answers but how about a gift card to your local teaching supply store. Or you could go to the teaching supply store and ask for some items that are bought often by teachers in your child's particular grade?

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A.L.

answers from Charleston on

Get him a gift card to a local restaurant. Even if you only spend $10, that covers the majority of an entree. I have many friends who are teachers and they really appreciate a nice meal that is free or almost free! Every guy likes to eat right?? :)

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S.T.

answers from Dallas on

If not a gift card to a restaurant (which seems to be a very popular suggestion), get him a gift card to a teacher supply store. I like going in them and looking at all the stuff, and I am not even a teacher! I think it would be nice for him to get to go in and buy something for the classroom, or just a fresh batch of pens and stamps and ink, or something pretty for the walls.

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J.O.

answers from Chicago on

Men like to eat too so any holiday treat is great. My hubby has taught classes and comes home with coffee mugs of hot chocolate( he does not drink coffee and the kids know that), cookies and candies girt card to local restaurants, ornaments that the kids have made all make great gifts. Also when parents and kids thank him with a note or card he still keeps those from 5 years ago. Good Luck!

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

As a former teacher (now a SAHM), gift cards are the best--trust me! My mom and MIL are both teachers and LOVE them. My mom has been teaching for 26 years--if she gets one more #1 teacher apple or candle I think she will scream! Even if you only want to spend $10, gift certificates are the way to go (movies, restaurants, mall, starbucks if he drinks coffee).

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S.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

I am a female teacher. The best gift I ever received were scratch off lottery tickets. I didn't win, but I enjoyed them. The second best was a gift card to wawa (like 7 eleven). I liked the thought behind the candles & lotions, but I have cats, so I can't burn candles. And the lotions were often scents i didn't like. All of the teachers I know were very happy with gift cards & all the teacher's who got lotto tickets loved them. Many teacher's looked forward to getting the lotto tickets. (The family who did them had a lot of kids, and they did it every year.)
I do also like the idea of a basket of teaching supplies (or a gift card to Staples or Office Depot or a local teacher store).

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K.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hello there,
I am friends with several teachers in our school district. I can remember quite clearly a conversation with several of them in a group where they had said that although they appreciate everything they get for gifts, sometimes it can be overwhelming. Imagine they get 20 something gifts every year on top of what family and friends give them. Imagine how many candles, lotions, and coffee cups these teachers have. How about a more practical solution like a nice tray of cookies that he can share with family and friends. Have several different types that he can choose from. Or maybe you can find out if he like coffee or tea from one of the other teachers. Create a basket of flavors.
Good luck!

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B.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

how about a simple giftcard to wawa,dunkin donuts or a bookstore. or a staples gift card. teachers use their own money alot of time to buy supplies.

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S.T.

answers from New York on

My nieces are teachers and they have more mugs, picture frames & scarves than they know what to do with. Men love to eat - so food is always an option - gift card to a Panera's (he can get brownies or a sandwich), or local coffee shop, even a dunkin donuts. Book store, or sporting good store if he's known to be a sports fan, even to KMart or WalMart - so he can pick out his own gloves, or even underwear. ;o)

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B.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Male or female the BEST gift bar none for ANY teacher is a gift basket of "teacher stuff". You know the STICKERS, PENCILS, BOUNCY BALLS, BOOKS etc ANYTHING that they give out to their students...they buy that stuff out of their own money...why not give them something practical and useful? I am a retired school teacher and I know that I could easily spend $100's of dollar a year on my "reinforcements" for my students. I taught kids in every grade and every grade like stickers (yes, even the seniors). PLEASE help the teacher stock his/her supply and PLEASE NO JUNK FOOD.

B.
Family Success Coach
Retired School Teacher

D.R.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

How about a gift certificate to a local spa? If he is married or not, he can bring a date or just make the world go away.... Depending on if you are getting the class to pitch in or if it is just an individual gift from your daughter.
Also there is something called sublimation where you can take a photo of the class or maybe a picture of your daughter and teacher together and transpose the picture onto a mug or tile on a box for a reasonable price.

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L.A.

answers from Chattanooga on

Starbucks gift card or gas card :)

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

A tie is fairly traditional. But they get tons of them over the years. There's nothing wrong with a candle. I think it's a great all purpose gift. If he doesn't care for it he can always re-gift it. A Starbucks gift card will always get used.

G.R.

answers from Dallas on

my son has a male teacher and i am sending homemade cookies and a restaurant gift card .

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A.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I'm not sure why people dislike gift cards as a gift idea. I think the are terrific. So, my other suggestions would be a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Check out http://finefoodandfun.com/

You can get discount gift certificate there. I usually buy a bunch and give them out as gifts. A $25 gift certificate is just $13.50.

Another idea is movie theatre tickets, those are easy.

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