GiftCrowd is encouraging school communities to include substitute teachers in their appreciation activities. The March 14, 2023 guide notes that families may need help from school administrators or regular teachers to identify the substitutes working with their children.

Its recommendations reflect the way substitutes often move between classrooms or schools. Suggested gifts include a reusable bottle, a sturdy tote bag and useful stationery, alongside coffee or tea chosen with the recipient’s preferences in mind.

The guide also proposes homemade cards, a class thank-you poster, shared snacks and school-branded items. Those options allow students and families to contribute a personal gesture as well as, or instead of, a purchased reward.

For a pooled gift, GiftCrowd describes its online collection service and a catalog of more than 400 brands at the time. The recipient can select where to use the value, which the company presents as an alternative to choosing an unfamiliar person’s tastes on their behalf.

The recommendations were published ahead of the 2023 teacher appreciation period. They concern including substitutes in recognition, rather than limiting appreciation to permanent classroom staff.