About Sweetmama Editor
Nadine Silverthorne’s love of journaling began in Grade One with the entry, “I am the greatest dancer!” Two babies (and countless diaper changes) later, she has found her home away from home as editor of SweetMama. Don’t miss her humorous bi-weekly accounts of the joys and pains of working while raising them fabulous.
First-Class Male
silver spoons: best male teacher gifts canada
(Nov.15.10)
We launched our Gifts of Thanks guide today, to suggest ideas for what to get dad, the grandparents and those other important people who care for our children: teachers. But soon after I edited it and sent it on to our tech team, my colleague stopped me in the hallway (hi Sari F!).
"Quick! What do I get for a male teacher?"
"Uh? Tim Horton's gift certificate? We just did a gift guide. There's tons of great stuff in there."
But as I did a quick mental reflection, I realized that some of our picks were skewed for a female teacher (nail polish anyone?). So I polled friends and family all weekend (plus our amazing Twitter followers), and overwhelmingly the response was: gift cards! But you don't need my help coming up with that idea, so here are five I think are tops (and quite unisex).
PS: I've included gift card pairings to allot for different budgets and those buying a group gift.
 |
32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons in Teaching
As any mommy blogger can attest to, sometimes reading another perspective on what you're going through makes you feel less alone. Phillip Done's memoir on the classroom does so, while being completely hilarious to any reader. Gift card pairing: a bookstore.
$23. Available at www.amazon.ca.
|
 |
Rock On 2GB USB Key
A stylish way to help him share or move files, while suggesting he hasn't lost his cool. Gift card pairing: photo or other printing services.
$42. Available at www.rolostore.com.
(or try this 4GB bamboo model from Staples, $25. Not as eye-catching, but practical and eco-friendly.)
|
 |
Element5 E5 Vacuum Insulated Beverage Bottle
Hardcore outdoor enthusiasts swear by this bottle's ability to keep beverages piping hot all day, from the morning's caffeine desperation to the pick-me-up needed on the walk home. Gift card pairing: the nearest good coffee joint.
$32. Available at www.mec.ca.
|
 |
Mabel's Labels Classroom Pack
A good idea never goes out of style. I probably recommend these every year, but at $12 for 60 very durable, useful and thoughtful labels, how can I not? Gift card pairing: an organized teacher loves Scholar's Choice.
$12 for 60 labels. Available at www.mabel.ca.
|
 |
Sony Earbuds Headphones
We know how music helps us to tune out the world. We also know how annoying the modern day headphone/earbud can be (tangled cords, lost foam bits, general dirtiness after time). Replace his shabby set with a new one. Gift card pairing: everyone can appreciate an iTunes gift card.
$19. Available at www.bestbuy.ca.
|