The summer holidays are almost here! But before we begin to busily plan for the extended summer break of lake visits and family trips, it is time to think about saying thank you to the teachers in our lives that have supported our children throughout the year.
As a teacher myself, I know that the little gestures of appreciation throughout and at the end of the year are something that is very much appreciated. But as also a parent, I know that figuring out what gift to buy to thank those teachers is not an easy task. So I thought why not put together a list of teacher gift ideas that might help you with this end of school year task.
9 Gift Ideas for the Teachers in your life.
Parent Tip: Pool together with your child’s entire class so you can gift a more expensive item
1. Pink Box / Black Box Cosmetic Subscription
For 19.95CHF per month, gift a cosmetic subscription box (Pink Box for women and Black Box for men) with at least 5 different beauty products delivered to the door of your favourite teacher. Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time, so depending on how much money you have pooled, you can surprise your teacher for just a few months or longer.
2. Smart Box Activity
Is your child’s teacher is on the sporty side? Why not get them an adventurous package. Are they looking to relax over the summer? Why not look into the wellness package. There is a Smart Box for all types of people and all are generally valid for an 18 month period, so you even consider the Winter packages if you know your teacher loves the snow.
3. Smart Beer Subscription
If you and the school your child attends allow it, a Smart Beer subscription is great for the Craft Beer lover. This subscription allows the teacher to get to know a few local brews from craft breweries across Switzerland. You can choose between a 3, 6 or 12-month subscription, where a 6 pack of beers are delivered each month.
4. Personalised Products
Most teachers need to be reminded to drink water throughout the day, so why not get them a personalised drink bottle that they can bring to work each day. Other ideas include a personalised z’Nüni or lunch box. Laserhaus has a great selection of products that you can look at and get personalised.
5. Book shop vouchers
In my experience, most teachers are avid readers and therefore love to receive a voucher to give themselves permission to buy a good book. Bonus point for adding in a recommended reading list from the parents. This is especially helpful as we’ve probably spent the year either reading professional development texts, picture books or children’s essays, so we may not know what books are hot off the press!
6. Classroom supply voucher
You may look at this suggestion and think how boring… but you wouldn’t believe how much teachers spend on supplies for their classrooms. Over the years, I have received gift vouchers from Time Tex time and time again and have always found something I needed or wanted.
7. Home-cooked lunches
For those of you in day schools, where the teachers eat their lunch at school, why not set up a rota between the parent body and make the teacher lunch for the last couple of weeks of the school year. If your child’s teacher is like me, lunch is often the last thing on my mind in the morning and often even those of us with kids, forget to pack a lunch of their own. Of course, make sure you find out any dietary requirements the teacher may have before doing this.
8. Restaurant vouchers
Just like everyone, teachers need to eat. So why not give them a voucher for an evening out. Make sure it is for a place where they will not hopefully bump into you during their night out. If your town does town vouchers, why not consider these, so they can pick the restaurant.
9. Plants
Just like flowers, plants last longer and can either be kept at school to brighten up the classroom or taken home. In the past, as my students know I love to garden, I have received a rose bush, which is now planted in my garden and fruit trees (raspberries and a cherry tree).
4 Swiss-Specific Teacher Gift Suggestions
For those who have children in international schools and have teachers leaving the school and Switzerland at the end of the year, here are some ideas of what you can get them to remember their time here, or visit our Swiss gift guides for more inspiration.
1. Signed Wickelfisch
A signed Wickelfisch, a waterproof bag in the shape of a fish used to swim down rivers, is a great present idea, especially for those who are based in Basel, where Wickelfisch originated. Our own Claire from z’Nüni was gifted one after her first stint in Switzerland and treasures it immensely.
2. Fingerprint canvas of city skyline or famous Swiss mountain range
All you need for this gift idea is a canvas, size dependent on class size, and an outline of your teacher’s favourite Swiss scene. While it does require some coordination to get done, the results are great! This has always been a loved present. Just make sure that the teacher can transport it with them.
3. z’Nüni product line to help them remember their Swiss experience
Why not take a look at the amazing z’Nüni product line and see if there is anything that would interest the teacher. I personally would love one of the coffee cups or the lunch bag. What a great way to remember my time here and take a little bit of Swiss culture with me
4. Engraved Swiss army knife
A Swiss Army knife from Victorinox is the ultimate Swiss gift that has it all! Getting it engraved, either with their name or the name of the class, so that they can always remember their time here.
Any other suggestions that you would add to this list? Let me know, as I am always keen to hear of ideas that have been a hit with your teachers!
