Creating a Christmas card is a genuine way to say thanks for the amazing story times, for keeping the class safe while on playground duty, the cool stickers left on school work, and everything else your child’s teacher does to make school a fun place to be.
As Zoey, a teacher at one of our Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) schools tells us, “I love receiving anything students have made specifically for me! It makes you feel appreciated when you see how much effort they have gone to do something nice for you. I actually have a file at home of every handmade card, drawing and letter I have ever received from a student! I love it.”
Here at Aspect, we have been invested in the best learning outcomes for children on the autism spectrum for over 50 years. Teachers like Zoey focus not only on academic skills but on a range of vital life skills too, including social skills, emotion regulation and the ability to cope in changing environments. This holistic approach extends beyond the classroom, helping our students to thrive at home, in everyday life and into the future.
Our teachers are passionate about people, and about being positive. As Christmas and end of year celebrations draw closer, it’s more important than ever that we take the time to say thank you to the teacher in our life who has gone above and beyond in what has been a tough year for all of us. Why not let that special teacher know what a great job they’re doing?
Why create a Christmas card for your teacher?
Creating a Christmas card is an opportunity for you to spend time with and bond with your child, grandchild or a child in your care. It’s also a lesson in gratitude, taking the time to carefully consider the wonderful things their teacher has done for them and what they’ve learned in class.
As a parent you can consider how your child has grown and developed as a result of your teacher’s efforts. Has the teacher taught your child a new skill or introduced them to a new subject they weren’t interested in previously? How has your relationship with your child changed as a result? Teachers don’t always get to witness the impact their work has on a child, and they’d love to know they’ve been able to make a difference in your life.
What should I use to make my Christmas card?
There are no hard and fast rules. A blank sheet of paper or cardboard are often the best materials to use as your base, but there’s no reason you can’t use canvas, parchment paper or coloured card if you’re thinking outside the box.
How to design and decorate your Christmas card?
There are many different ways your child can design and decorate a Christmas Card. Keep in mind that your card doesn’t necessarily have to be Christmas themed. If you or your teacher don’t celebrate Christmas, or you’d rather personalise the design to factor in your teacher’s interests and subject area, that’s okay!
Let your child’s imagination go wild with these craft ideas:
- Paint: There are a range of paints your children can choose between, including, acrylic, oil or watercolour to execute their design, each offering different textures and finishes. You can also add some glitter to make the card a bit more glam!
- Draw: Your child can use coloured pencils, textas, gel pens and more to draw a design of their choice on the cover and interior. They could draw a picture of themselves with their teacher if they really want their teacher to feel special.
- Collage: Print off a series of Christmas designs or help them cut different Christmas designs out of magazines. Once they have all the clippings they need, they can then glue these onto the card to create a wonderful, Christmas themed collage.
- Premade: If you’re strapped for time, you can simply purchase a card and draw a design in pen or markers to add a touch of your own creativity.
What to write in a Christmas card to your teacher?
Let your child take the lead on what to write in their card, however you can give them some suggestions to help them get started. Some ideas include:
- Wish them a Merry Christmas
- Send your wishes for a well-deserved break
- Say why they loved being taught by them so much this year
- List some things they learned from their teacher
- Include some of their favourite memories from the year
Make your teacher's Christmas card that extra bit special by pairing with a small gift
Teachers dedicate their whole lives to helping others. This Christmas, give your child’s teacher a small gift in thanks for their dedication and hard work through the year. Your gift doesn’t need to be expensive and could be inserted within or given alongside your card.
Consider giving your child’s teacher one of these gifts for Christmas:
- Box of chocolates
- Gift voucher
- Book on their favourite subject or topic
- An ornament for their desk
- A notebook with a design drawn by your child on the first page
A charity donation is a gift that has the power to change the world by shaping the lives of others. When choosing a charity to donate to in honour of a teacher, choose one that you think they would be passionate about. You can include a little statement on the card as to why that charity was chosen for them.
Say thank you to a very special teacher while helping children on the autism spectrum
We hope that you and your child have a great time crafting your Christmas card for that very special teacher.
If you do decide to donate to a charity in honour of your teacher, you may like to consider donating to Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect). We provide specialised services for people on the autism spectrum, as well as schools with tailored learning environments for children on the autism spectrum. Your donation will go a long way to helping autistic people thrive.
