Five unique teacher gift ideas: Show your appreciation for all they do!

If it weren't for teachers, where would we all be? The education you receive from your teachers stands follows you for all of your life. Kids don't always see it this way, but when you grow to adulthood, you'll find that at least a few of your teachers return to memory, fondly.

School children seldom are aware of the long hours a teacher puts in. While you've finished your homework, that teacher is still grading papers and preparing lesson plans and activities, in between dinner and bedtime. Teachers are also notoriously underpaid. Adding insult to injury, teachers typically buy classroom supplies out of their own pocket, which are not reimbursed!

They do this all for the love of teaching. What can you do to show your appreciation? Here are five ideas for unique teacher gifts that are guaranteed to brighten your teacher's day, and for many days to come. Make it a class project, put together under your teachers radar.

1.Teachers are people too – gasp! So what's your teachers' major passion? Observant and cagey students can soon ascertain teachers' passions. Teachers, being scholarly sorts, might have hidden interests. For example, maybe your teacher enjoys chess. If this is the case, you've got a choice unique teacher gift idea. With a piece of masonite and some varathane, you can make a unique chess board constructed of painted or patterned squares of cloth or contact paper. Buy chess pieces.

2.Teachers love books. This can be a unique teacher gift idea, if you hone in on what they love. If you're a high-schooler taking history, you know right where to go. Take up a class collection. With just a $1 donation from each class member, you can buy the classiest hard book World History textbook.

3.Grade school teachers always fondly remember each student who has passed through their class. A bulletin board, with a small picture of each student glued to the board, with signed, thoughtful post-it notes from everyone makes a truly unique teacher gift. Trim the bulletin board with small stones, pine cones and seashells – whatever looks good to you.

4.Classroom supplies are another unique teacher gift. Take up a collection and go stock up at your local school supply. Colored pencils, newsprint and paints are excellent choices.

5.Any handmade item is by definition, unique. Did you know that, with a bag of barley, soaked in tepid water for a few hours, waxed thread and food coloring, you can make very cool necklaces? If the boys aren't enthusiastic, keep them involved with handmade, laminated bookmarks.

So there you have it. Five terrific and unique teacher gift items. Your teacher will always remember you and your classmates for the creativity you showed in each of these gifts! Library donations will set you in your teacher's Hall of Fame as well. Get out there and show your appreciation. Your teacher will treasure such gifts.