Student and teachers alike feel a little nervous and anxious on the first day back to classes. It's time to get used to a new regimen after a whole summer away from school. You can say thank you in May, but in August, it's time to say welcome back! Put a smile on their face and get the year off to the right start - try one of these four ideas for surprising your teachers with welcome back appreciation gifts.

1. Caffeine buzz: Is any object in the teacher lounge more cherished than the coffee maker? Make the teacher's lounge, and the coffee, even nicer with brand new mugs. Outfit the lounge with a set of C-Handle 11 Oz. Ceramic Mugs. There's room to include your school's logo as well as a welcoming message. To make the surprise even better, provide bags of gourmet coffees and lay out a feast of muffins and pastries.
2. Hot or cold, it's ready to go: They've got their coffee in the break room, but they need coffee in the classroom, too! Travel mugs are a convenient way to bring along your beverage, whether driving in your car or grading papers after class. Something like the 16 oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug makes a handsome teacher gift with its modern, high-end look. You can make the mug even more special by attaching a note to the handle and putting a big bow on top. It can also be filled with candy or small school supplies.
3. A convenient carryall: You'd think they were about to go on an overseas trip with as much stuff as teachers have to carry around. Teachers are always in need of a sturdy tote bag to stay organized. The Extra Large Zippered Tote is a stylish bag featuring a large front color panel that's perfect for customizing. The Extra Large Zippered Tote is a fantastic gift all on its own, but you can make it even better by stashing some goodies inside. How about tucking in some notebooks, folders, and pens?
4. A place for everything, and everything in its place: Staying organized is how teachers stay sane. Tote bags with plenty of pockets, compartments, and dividers are a lifesaver. You can help keep your teachers extra-organized with an Eclipse Travel Tote. They'll love the special pockets that hold individual pens and pencils. Side mesh pockets are a convenient place to store a cell phone, PDA, or calculator. All those handy little pockets are just begging to be filled with some personalized school supplies before you give out these teacher gifts.
   

The first day of school is almost here, so it's time to get moving on your welcome back teacher gifts. A thoughtful gift paired with creative presentation is the winning combination.