<p>My son has taken piano since first grade with a marvelous piano teacher. My feeling about her is that she has bestowed a priceless gift on my son. When he finally leaves her for college, I would like to give her something that reflects that feeling, but I am at a complete loss. I was thinking in the $200 range, but I’m open to anything.</p>
<p>Anybody got any ideas?</p>
<p>How about a gift certificate to a nice spa? She could then choose her own services and have a day of relaxation and pampering.</p>
<p>The spa idea is a good one. I recall once giving our piano teacher a gift certificate for a massage as she enjoyed those. </p>
<p>My kids studied piano for 11 years also and we gave many gifts over the years to the piano teacher, except not in the price range that you are talking about. So, I don’t know if this is going to help you. </p>
<p>For example, our piano teacher has a piano studio in her home and on the wall, she has a collection of wall clocks with music or piano themes and we have bought clocks like this online. </p>
<p>One catalogue (also online) that I have ordered from several times over the years is The Music Stand. However, I just looked and they have very few things in the $200 range. But some of the items that they have that are not on the low end include porcelin dinnerware with music theme, tapestry throws, grand piano music box, sterling silver music pin, treble clef or 8th note wall decor, etc. </p>
<p>I also looked up piano music boxes (shaped as pianos) and there are several in all price ranges, including expensive ones at giftsonline.net.</p>
<p>I belong to a forum for piano teachers, and here is a thread from there discussing gifts for teachers. However, none are in the $200 range.</p>
<p>[Gift</a> ideas for Piano Teacher - Piano World Piano Forums](<a href=“Gift ideas for Piano Teacher - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums”>Gift ideas for Piano Teacher - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums)</p>
<p>If you don’t want to read that thread, the gist of it is that most piano teachers do not want any more musically-themed anything - they have them all already. The exception seems to be books. These were mentioned by various posters, with the suggestion of getting a hardbacked, autographed copy if possible.</p>
<p>“Grand Obsession” by Perri Knize
The Piano Tuner, by Daniel Mason
“Beethoven’s Hair”
“The Piano Shop on the Left Bank” </p>
<p>If it were me, I would love a nice piano bench cushion - tapestry, perhaps. $200 might even buy one of those antique piano stools. I have one, but would love another, for duets! (Explanation - I have two pianos, in different rooms. One has a bench, one has a stool.)</p>
<p>I personally would hate a spa certificate, but I understand I am in the minority.</p>
<p>Might be a few thoughts or sources in these:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/253566-holiday-gift-professor.html?highlight=gift[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/253566-holiday-gift-professor.html?highlight=gift</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/496675-graduation-gift-ideas-musician.html?highlight=gift[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/496675-graduation-gift-ideas-musician.html?highlight=gift</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/497214-graduation-gift-ideas-teacher.html?highlight=gift[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/497214-graduation-gift-ideas-teacher.html?highlight=gift</a></p>
<p>I just bought a gorgeous serving bowl, handmade by a Zimbabwe potter, for someone special. By buying it at a major dept store, or local gift shop, with a gift receipt, the teacher can exchange for something she likes.</p>
<p>I bought a smaller plant holder in a similar pattern, and the hostess immediately transferred a plant into it. Pottery by Goodwill.</p>
<p>While a spa may not be everyone’s favorite cup of tea (I personally do not like this kind of stuff), a gift certificate to a very nice restaurant will be appreciated by the vast majority of people I know. I second eveyone who said no music-themed gifts.</p>
<p>I would do something permanent: something related to music, a sterling silver picture frame (perhaps framing a letter from all of you telling her how much she meant to your family), something that she reach out and touch.</p>
<p>Do you have a local symphony or theatre? DD gave tickets for a concert to her instructor. I checked with his wife first to see if they were already going (so she wasn’t surprised), but he loved them.</p>
<p>^^^That’s a nice idea and more in line with the OP’s price point (which is more than I spend on teacher gifts).</p>
<p>One of my best friends is a piano teacher. She teaches in her home and definitely would not want any musicy stuff to sit around. She’s not the spa type either. It seems it would be best to know if your teacher was into that sort of thing before buying.</p>
<p>My friend would definitely love a gift card to a nice restaurant, a mall gift card (the general kind that you can spend in any store or multiple stores)or concert tickets (though you would have to now what kind of music she most enjoys). A nice piece of jewelry would be good.</p>
<p>I know our Ds’ piano teacher struggled financially. She and I had talked about how much we enjoyed shopping at a local gourmet grocery store, but the cost kept us from going regularly. So we gave her a gift card to that store.</p>
<p>Not sure if this would be possible… but in addition to a tangible gift, a solo dedicated to the teacher (maybe at a senior class event?) could be nice. Also, finding/recommending a new student to fill in the slot would be great.</p>
<p>Lately, I’ve been giving everyone Kiva certificates (international microlending). Kiva.org. Perfect for the person that doesn’t need anything.</p>
<p>I appreciate all of it. This lady has made such a difference in my son’s life.</p>