It’s the holiday season. The time for giving thanks is long gone and now it’s time for giving. Don’t get me wrong, I love to buy gifts for people. But you know there are those times you feel like you are just giving to give something without a whole lot of meaning behind it. Instead of spending hours upon hours on some Pinterest perfect student gift with matching ‘punderful’ gift tags that all end up in the trash, try an alternative to individual gifts that your students (and wallet) will appreciate!
New Games
With Pennsylvania winters comes too many days of indoor recess. The kids need stuff to do so I can get stuff done. So I decided to buy new games for the class last year. I went with 5 classics and stayed right around $50. I love this idea because it is the gift that keeps on giving!
On the day before winter break, I have the gifts all wrapped and ready to go. I randomly choose a few students (incentive idea!) to open each gift then we try them all out! It is the perfect way to spend those last few hours in school before the holiday break.
Cookie Decorating
This will take some planning and preparation but has the potential to be A LOT of fun! You could even have parents send in donations or volunteer to help out. While this isn’t really a “gift”, its an experience that some children might not have had before. Plus, they get to take home the cookies they make! #winwin
{photo cred: Tonya Staab}
Check out tips for planning the ultimate cookie decorating party by Tonya Staab.
School Supplies
This may not be the most exciting, it is often the most necessary (and practical) present for this time of year. And if you were thinking ahead in August, you can snag extra school supplies at those back to school prices. There are lots of adorable free gift tags out there to add that special touch.
Like these from Glitter and Glue 4 K-2
There are so many ways to jazz up a new box of pencils.
Check out my post about making school supplies a gift here.
Holiday Bookmarks
If you are low on funds or just trying to save this holiday season, a bookmark is the PERFECT easy peasy but still cute gift. And students will love them! Just print out, laminate, cut and done!! You could add a personal message to the back before laminating to make it extra special.
You can find the ones pictured above in my store for free here: Holiday Bookmarks
No matter what you decide, remember that students (even the youngest ones!) already have an understanding of the importance of the holiday season. Here’s a little story from my class last year…
This morning, in order to be proactive about my students’ obvious enthusiasm for Christmas, I asked them what they are most excited for. I really thought I would hear all about what they had asked Santa for and how they couldn’t wait to open their presents and play with new toys. But instead, one by one, they shared how they can’t wait to see family–cousins who they haven’t seen in over a year, grandparents who live far way, a brother who is visiting from out of state. We often complain about “kids these days.” But if a class full of seven and eight year olds can recognize the importance of the holidays, then surely something is right with the world.
Happy Holidays!
