• What every teacher finds more precious than money or gifts are sincere, heartfelt sentiments from students and parents expressing their appreciation. Coffee mugs stack up, and school-themed knick-knacks may not suit the teacher's taste. If you want to find a gift that truly touches your teacher's heart, think about these gift suggestions instead.
  
  

Heartfelt Letter

• Put the sentiment into a handwritten, sincere card or letter. A kid-made card with their feelings about the teacher is guaranteed to be saved and cherished. Telling the teacher how they've helped a child progress and grow is the most rewarding present a parent can give. If you feel like you really need to add a material gift, make it something small and usable, like a cute pen, candy bar or pack of stickers to be used as prizes.
  
  

Gift Cards

• If you're searching for a truly meaningful gift that your teacher will like and use, but that won't be a burden to store, think about including a gift card, or cooperating with other parents to give a whole basket of gift cards. Teachers put a lot of their own time and money into their classrooms, and in many areas aren't paid very well for it. Gift cards to local restaurants, bookstores, office supply stores, gas stations, Wal-Mart, craft stores and coffee shops will be used and appreciated by your teacher. Accompany the gift with a card or note that is easy to keep.
  
  

Personal Meaning

• Personalize your teacher's gift by finding out what they are passionate about outside of school. Whether it's their college football team or a hobby like hiking or scrapbooking, a gift inspired by their favorite things is sure to touch a sentimental note. Or perhaps your teacher volunteers for a charity or organization like the Humane Society or the Salvation Army, and would love nothing more than for you to make a donation to support that cause.
  
  

Plant Life

• Give the gift of life, in the form of a plant or flowers from your home or garden. This is a good end-of-year gift, but you could also buy one from a greenhouse in the winter to brighten the colder months. However, it seems more special and sentimental if the child and parent grow something for the teacher themselves, and accompany it with a poem or card telling the teacher how they have helped the child grow.
  
  

Child's Art

• Homemade gifts made by students are the most sentimental and precious gifts a teacher gets. It may be a miniature terra cotta pot painted with the teacher's name and year by the child, or a special art project the child made at home for the teacher. A homemade cardboard or wooden picture frame painted by the child is a touching gift, especially when you include a photo of the child and teacher together. Be sure your child includes their grade and the year somewhere on the back to remind the teacher forever of them.