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Black Friday has passed. Cyber Monday has come and gone and in a few more weeks, school will be out. What to do for those wonderful teachers who spend such critical time with our children?

Beth Almy, educational resource coordinator at the Natural Science Center, has put together a few great ideas. As an instructor herself, she really knows what would bring a holiday smile to an educator’s face while being kind to our environment as well.

Words from the Heart

Take the time to let the administration of your school know how much you appreciate your teacher. Send a note to the principal about something kind she or he has done for your child. Make sure you give the teacher a copy!

Keeping It Clean

Purchase a refillable hand sanitizer container. Peel the labels off of the bottle and decorate it with scrapbooking stickers and ribbons. This personalized gift will be appreciated by the entire class throughout the winter season.

“Go To” Gifts

Teachers need a little fun time too! Gift certificates to restaurants and movie theaters are wonderful treats for educators who rarely get to treat themselves to lunch out or a matinee!

For Nature Lovers

Encourage educators to investigate their local parks and green spaces by giving them local trail books and field guides. Include these items with bird feeders, an assortment of seed packets, or a gift certificate to choose a tree at a nursery.

Vote for TOTES!

Reusable tote bags are great gifts for everyone, not to mention the environment! Many retailers carry a variety of trendy packable totes. You can even purchase totes at the craft store ready to be personalized by the kids. Totes are a great substitute for paper wrapping and gift bags.

Farm Charm

Surprise your favorite teacher with a basket of fresh produce from your local farmers market. Include a sweet treat along with a set of recipe cards.

High Tech To-Go!

Data storage devices are great gifts that allow teachers to transport less paper back and forth between school and home. Not only do they come in a wide variety of colors and designs, but they are very affordable.

The Gift of Time

Share your time and talents with your child’s class. Give the teacher an hour off by teaching a special lesson while she enjoys a cup of coffee and her favorite book. If teaching is not your talent, offer to help her organize a project, clean the classroom or decorate a bulletin board. You can even bring her a home-cooked lunch to enjoy while you take the class to the cafeteria.

Gifts that Keep Giving

Donate to a teacher’s favorite charity, PTA or community organization in their honor. You can even gift a favorite book to the school or public library. Zoos and science centers also run programs where you can honor someone by providing enrichment toys and treats to the animals. The possibilities are endless and will be appreciated long past the holiday season.

That’s A Wrap

When wrapping homemade goods and gifts for anyone this holiday season, think re-usable! The variety of inexpensive totes, decorative containers and fabric gift bags is truly inspiring. Think outside the box…and the wrapping paper!
And one final thought I will add.

Faces of the Earth

Written by Beth herself, she was inspired by many of the animals she interacts with at the Science Center. Faces of the Earth highlights the unique qualities of the featured animals, encourages support of local zoos, museums and science centers as well as fosters greater awareness of wildlife worldwide. Having each student sign the book and adding a special note will make this a gift a teacher can treasure and share with classes to come. Available at the Thesaurus Gift Shop, all proceeds are donated back to the Natural Science Center.

Whatever you choose, think resourcefully so we can keep our holidays ever green.

Beth Almy is the educational resources coordinator at the Natural Science Center. She lives in Greensboro with her husband and three children.

Jeanne also lives in Greensboro with her husband Tom and two children. She publishes The Green Samaritan, an eco-friendly blog. You can follow on Twitter @greensamaritan and become a fan on Facebook.