Patch Picks: 5 End-of-the-Year Gifts for Your Teacher

The end of the school year can be a whirlwind of a time, what with all the end-of-the-year picnics and potlucks, finishing up those school projects, and trying to find the perfect gift to say “thanks for a great year” to your child’s favorite teacher.

Well, Patch can’t help you bake the muffins for the picnic or finish up those last few assignments, but we can, indeed, recommend five great Los Altos businesses where you can score the perfect teacher gift, to show your appreciation.

Some gifts are gender-specific, but we’ve also tried to recommend a few that even the male teachers will love. Happy shopping!

LOS ALTOS CARD & PARTY

253 State St., Los Altos

If you love any excuse to do a little scrapbooking, how about putting together a quick scrapbook of memories from the school year? Nothing says “What a great year!” better than immortalizing that it in a beautiful album or scrapbook. on State Street in downtown features a great selection of photo albums and scrapbooking materials, as well as greeting cards and balloons if you really want to make a “splash” when you present your gift to your child’s teacher.

SWEETS FROM THE SWEET SHOP

994 Los Altos Ave., Los Altos

A great present any teacher—male or female—is sure to love, is some sweets from the famous in Los Altos. No matter what your teacher’s taste, the Sweet Shop is sure to have the perfect treat your child’s teacher will love. How about a gift basket of gourmet coffee or tea, or a gift box full of the shop’s signature cupcakes? If you need an even better reason to go, how about the fact that the shop’s owners regularly donate to local schools? Sounds like a match made in Heaven.

THE CRANBERRY SCOOP

295 State St., Los Altos

Want a truly one-of-a-kind gift for your child’s teacher? Carve out some time to pop into in downtown. The store sells everything from cute handbags and wallets from Vera Bradley, to cute picture frames, which could be a great choice for a framed photo of the teacher and class together. If a special teacher has travel plans, a more expensive gift includes travel totes from Bagallini, a line designed by former flight attendants. Another great choice from Cranberry Scoop could be a gift basket of bath and body products from one of the product lines they carry, such as Crabtree & Evelyn. An added bonus—the store has gift-wrapping service, saving you even more valuable time!

AYURVASTRAM

334 State St., Ste. 105, Los Altos

 Want a gift your teacher will never forget? Try any of the luxurious scarves from Ayurvastram on State Street—your teacher will remember you fondly each time he or she puts in on! Shop owner Shailja Singh only carries the very best, and loves helping customers put together the perfect gift, even offering a discount when you buy several items to give out to all your teachers. Singh carries items at a variety of price points, and each and every piece is something your child’s teacher is sure to love, no matter what your budget. Choose from cotton scarves at $10, to silky spring scarves at $20, all the way up to $250 for a cashmere pashmina for that extra-special teacher.

YELKA DAY SPA

2049 Grant Road, Los Altos

After a long school year, perhaps your child’s favorite teacher deserves to be pampered. How about a gift card to one of Los Altos’ finest day spas? offers everything from hair styling to hydrotherapy treatments, facials and massages. Visit their website to purchase gift certificates. Why not coordinate with other parents and all go in on one together?