Last minute green Educator gift ideas - Part 1

Guest Bloggers -
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.

Black Friday has passed. Cyber Monday has come and gone and in a few more days, 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 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!
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.