May is here and school is almost out!  What to do for those wonderful teachers who spend such critical time with our children.  Here are a few ideas to help bring a  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!

Book It

Select a book or two with an earth-friendly theme that can be used in the class.  If possible, have all the children sign as an extra special memory.  The Great Kapoke Tree, Faces of the Earth, and Little Green Books are a few possibilities.

Keeping It Clean

Purchase a refillable natural hand sanitizer or soap container. Peel the labels off of the bottle and decorate it with scrapbooking stickers and ribbons.

“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!

Re-usable 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 the 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 after the school year ends.

That’s A Wrap

When wrapping homemade goods and gifts for anyone, 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!

So whatever you choose, think resourcefully to help teach your children (and teacher perhaps) well!

Jeanne Blaisdell

Jeanne Blaisdell publishes TheGreenSamaritan.com, her personal blog highlighting green living tips and information in order to help herself and others on their journey towards greater environmental awareness. She has also launched EcoAvenueLtd.com, an online shopping site featuring the latest deals and promotions from a collection of earth-friendly merchants. Jeanne lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with her husband Tom and two boys, Jack (10) and Ben (7). You can follow her @GreenSamaritan and @EcoAvenueltd.