Holiday Gift Giving for the Health Conscious Teacher

​It’s that time of year! Student holiday concerts are happening. My studio’s concert is this Sunday. I love to see the kids dress up. They’ve worked so hard throughout the fall. For a fair number of them it’s their first ever recital. I always find it nice to let them start off with one of their favourite holiday songs – they have fun, they feel more confident because they already know it. I love to see the proud parents and grandparents doting on their budding stars.

​It’s also the time when I start getting gifts. I am so grateful that I have students (and parents) that are so thoughtful to think of me. However, as a healthy living advocate I really prefer if I don’t get that box of chocolate (or 10 or 20 of them) – mostly I end up re-gifting them (that is if my husband hasn’t gotten to them first). There are also other gifts that don’t make it on my healthy living list like:

​​-fragranced hand creams and soaps (it’s not just the fragrance, but so many other chemicals that I don’t want on my skin)
-scented candles (again, nasty chemicals that are released into the air and breathed in)
-baked products (store bought usually have chemical additives in way of colouring and preservatives, but even homemade for me are no good mainly because of my colitis – it would have to be gluten free)
-anything with dairy (this is one food that most people should do without for many reasons)
-anything with processed sugars or artificial sweeteners (neither is good for you)

So what are some better alternatives? There are really so many great memorable alternatives so why choose the ho-hum box of Turtles or Pot of Gold?
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First, let me tell you about some of the most memorable gifts I’ve received.
 

• Christmas ornaments: honestly these I keep and put on my tree year after year and even though many of the students that gave them are long gone from my studio, each year as I put them up I remember them fondly.
• Items with a musical motif: pens, notebooks, scarves, socks…I love them all and as with the ornaments, I remember the student as I use them.
• Bravissimo Tea from David’s. What an aptly named tea to give a music teacher and thoroughly enjoyable.
• A gift card to the hottest restaurant in the city. Mainly I remember it because it was probably the most expensive gift I ever received and I certainly don’t expect that to come again.
• Locally made strawberry chia seed jam: No sugar, no preservatives. This student really understood me.
• A gift card to the health food store: Another student who understood me.

​In addition to the above list, here are some other ideas, some of which I’ve received and thoroughly enjoyed and others that I think would make great gifts – something for every budget, too:
 

• Gift cards to book or music stores: these always come in handy
• Dark, fair-trade chocolate: I’m not completely opposed to chocolate, but just make it a healthier version. Dark chocolate of 70% or more has less sugar and fair-trade means it wasn’t the product of child slave labour.
• Locally made or homemade jams, honey, or other healthy treats.
• Gift cards to Starbucks or other coffee or tea shops. A great excuse to go meet a friend for a chin wag.
• A bottle of red wine: There are health benefits from the phytonutrient resveratrol and it’s a more elegant gift (though I prefer getting these from older students - there is something strange about receiving a bottle from a 9 year old.)
• Fine tea or coffee: For this, it’s best to know preferences – I prefer herbal teas and will not drink coffee at all, but when I get a special tea, as I mentioned above, it really makes me happy.
• Gift cards for a spa: manicure and massages always go down well.
• iTunes cards: always some new music to discover.
• A hand written note from a student, especially the young ones: these mean so much to me. That they took the time to write and some of the wonderful sentiments they express really warm my heart.

​The list could go on.
 
If there is a tight community of students, they could collaborate on a bigger gift with everyone contributing $5 - $10. This is often done for classroom teachers, but can work with private music teachers, as well.

​So if you have a teacher you are buying for, get to know them a bit, see what might be their likes or interests. Do they have food allergies or dietary restrictions? If you know, they may thank you for a vegan gluten-free cookbook. If you don’t know, then maybe it’s best to stay away from food related items.
 
I don’t expect gifts from my students and if they stop giving because I’m too picky that’s fine. But thinking outside the box (of chocolates) makes for a more memorable gift and really doesn’t take any more effort.
 
Happy Holidays from,