Epic Merchandise Blog

Almost everyone remembers a teacher who went the extra mile, and made a difference. This teacher made school fun. This teacher reads to students from “James and the Giant Peach” or “Superfudge,” thus instilling a love for reading or stories. This teacher has an “auction” for neat stuff, with points earned on school work serving as “currency,” and so teaches students how to balance a checkbook. Each day, thousands of creative, caring, and influential teachers toil for the sake of their students.

Each teacher may teach between 20-150 students every school year. When choosing a gift to thank a teacher for their hard work in the face of long hours, challenging students and tedious testing requirements, creativity goes a long way! For ideas on the perfect gift, pay attention when going to school open-houses and parent-teacher conferences. The way your child’s teacher dresses, decorates the classroom, and things on their desk are clues to their personality. Use these clues to lead you to a perfect gift. Be personal, yet not intrusive in your gift giving. Following are ideas available for every interest and hobby.

–A stepping stone for a teacher’s garden, engraved with an inspirational quote and the year makes a wonderful gift.

–A picnic backpack for when the teacher escapes school for the weekend!

–A gift card for a local restaurant or spa gives the gift of relaxation.

–A letter to the local paper copied to the school board, and the school principle shows true appreciation for a teacher’s hard work.

Always check with your school first, as some schools may have restrictions on gifts to staff.

Whatever gift you choose, your effort to make the gift personal, and honestly show gratitude for the teacher’s time and talents goes a long way. Everyone who works long, hard hours appreciates it when someone notices how hard they try. And some teachers really do make a difference.

Applications for the 2008 Epic Teacher Award are being accepted through April 8th, 2008.

Every gardener loves “accessorizing” her garden. Whimsical or formal, sentimental or practical, garden ornaments complete a garden by further extending the gardener’s personality beyond plant selection. Trellises, gazing balls, wind chimes and bird baths are traditional offerings. As families landscape more of their yards, creating nooks and crannies for enjoying the outdoors, garden stepping stones have become very popular. The variety of stepping stones is endless. When considering a gift for a gardener, think about creating a stepping stone just for them. A personalized stepping stone, with high-quality engraving is a unique, personal gift that will add to a garden’s ambience for years ahead.

To create a piece of art that will be forever part of a garden, consider your recipient’s interests beyond gardening. If your intended loves to read, a quote by Dickinson or Frost is in order. If the family’s faithful feline hangs out in the garden, an engraved cat silhouette pays tribute to this “gardening assistant.” (Every chipmunk chased away, is a lily flower saved!) Golfing fanatics will smile when receiving a series of stones with “birdie,” “fore” and “Hole in One” engraved into them.

Personalized stepping stones make great gifts for non-gardeners as well. Commemorate special occasions by having a stepping stone engraved. Celebrate a new birth with the newborn’s name and date. Help new couples remember their wedding, and a proud bowler his first perfect game! Engraved stepping stones in landscape beds near a house’s front door tell stories of the family inside, each a reminder of important life events. The gift of an engraved garden stepping stone for a special occasion will be appreciated long after the event, and will give the best gift of all. Each time the recipient steps over the stone, it will conjure memories of joyous times past.