It is time for that Secret Santa thing — some people love it and some people hate it. But the Secret Santa game is a great way to put some fun in this time of the school year for teachers and staff. Why? Because it really is enjoyable to get gifts, and it feels good to give them, too. The trick is figuring out what to give that person when you don’t necessarily know them well. Searching the internet can be overwhelming, so it’s better to break this challenge down. Here are the top 5 Secret Santa gift idea categories:
- Something They Would Want: Social media has given Secret Santas a great tool to find out what their target is interested in. If they pinned items on Classroom Direct’s Holiday Wishlist board, for instance, you have only to pick something they pinned. Pinterest pages are like picking people’s brains for ideas and, if you are friends, you can see their interests on your screen.
- Something They Will Use: Tools and supplies for the classroom are welcome because they are used regularly. If your school has an electronic cutter, most teachers will welcome a gift certificate for additional shapes and fonts. How about a customized bookplate for their classroom library or a new paper crimper?
- Something They May Enjoy: Who doesn’t like a luxury consumable? From coffee to candy and all things in between, gourmet things to sip or nibble are usually enjoyed. Just make sure you find out what kind of foods or drinks your person is apt to like. Other enjoyable ideas could be a gift certificate for a nice restaurant or local spa experience.
- Something They Won’t Forget: Here’s where the gag gifts come in. The trick is making that memory one everyone enjoys, not one that makes them cringe. It takes real discernment to select things in this category.
- Something They Will Cherish: Teachers are in this profession out of love. An inexpensive flash drive loaded with video clips of students saying “Thank You” takes a bit more time than a shopping trip but the memories will be cherished longer than any store-bought gift could last. For the technically challenged, a collection of thank you notes will stay safe in an acid-free project case.
Deciding to focus on one of these categories limits your Secret Santa choices, but it also clarifies your quest. Knowing which type of gift you would want to give is a good place to start your holiday shopping.
