Schools

Practical Gifts to Show You Appreciate Parsippany Teachers

Here is a list of creative gift ideas and places to find them around the township.

If you can read this, thank a teacher.

May 7 is Teacher Appreciation Day, the generally accepted day across the country for people to show just how important they consider the largely thankless job done by educators each and every day.

Historically, teachers tend to get fake apples and such, and apparently, they appreciate the sentiment, but... According to the Rev. Dr. Suzi Robertson of the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in Sammamish, Wash., even teachers can have their fill of purely symbolic gifts.

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“Teachers hate trinkets, fake apples and half-dead flowers," the cleric said. "They would rather get something practical they can use at their leisure.”

Makes sense to us. With that in mind, here is a list of suggestions to help you get an excellent grade on your next teacher appreciation gift.

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1. Starbucks card or gift card to any store/restaurant they enjoy.

2. Get parents to pool their money together for a gift certificate for a massage at the Parsippany Massage Envy.

3. Gift card to the Barnes and Noble on Route 10. Teachers love to be able to purchase new books for their classrooms.

4. New board game for the classroom from Walgreens on Route 46 or the Learning Express on Route 10. Merideth Hansen, an elementary school teacher for 19 years, says this is her favorite teacher appreciation gift.

5. Go the extra mile with a theme gift, such as a gift certificate for movie tickets, which can be put into a plastic popcorn box, along with several packages of microwave popcorn and movie theater-size candy treats. You can purchase movie theater gift certificates from Parsippany's Clearview Cinemas 12.

6. DIY gift. Hansen says, “Homemade soaps, candy, cookies, jewelry, bookmarks or even just a nice homemade card or notes rates pretty high because that takes time and shows appreciation.” Michael's is a great place to find what you need to assemble a great do-it-yourself gift, and soaps, knickknacks and such can be found at any local drug store or supermarket, including Hiawatha Pharmacy, New Road Pharmacy,Greenhill Pharmacy, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Pathmark or Shop Rite of Parsippany.

7. Give a donation in their honor to their favorite charity.

8. Have parents contribute to a group gift of a gift certificate for a special activity the teacher can enjoy with his or her friends or family, such as a special date night at one of Parsippany's many restaurants (these are just a few examples), including the Gourmet Cafe, Reservoir Tavern, Angelo's Family Restaurant, Maddy's Mexican Grill, Mount Holleran Towne Tavern, Tabor Pizza, Marakesh Restaurant, Verde Ristorante, or Ashia; a visit to a special event site, such as the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms; or an overnight stay at the Sheraton Parsippany or the Parsippany Hilton hotels. 

9. Potted plants. Hansen says, “Two of my all time standouts are a mini herb garden I was given over a decade ago and an orchid I was given recently that I enjoy looking at every day.” Cerbo's Parsippany Greenhouses and Garden Center is a great place to find plants.

10. Reduce his or her stress with a yoga or fitness class pass to Atlantis Spa and Sports Club or one month membership to a local gym such as Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, Heroes Journey Crossfit Lake Parsippany or Title Boxing Club.

11. Take a photo of each child in the class and ask him or her, “What do you appreciate the most about your teacher?” Assemble the photos with the student quotes and each student’s name into a collage and have it framed at Gate House Framemakers on Route 46.

12. Cater your teacher's or school staff member’s lunch for a day or a week. Said Hansen, “For teacher appreciation, our PTA provides little treats and goodies for our staff for four days, and on the Friday of that week they provide lunch for us. Last year we had a baked potato bar with loads of topping choices and a large selection of desserts and beverages. This is always prepared by the parents too, which means more than coming from a restaurant, as it takes a lot more effort to do. This week is always so fun, as each is a surprise.” 


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