Teacher Gift-Giving Tips (Food Allergy-Conscious)
The gift of conscious giving.
Holidays are a great time of year to show appreciation for the teachers that help shape the learning and development of our children. During the pandemic, many schools instituted “no food” policies in the classrooms (including for birthdays and favor exchanges) to limit the number of ways a virus can travel and spread. Some schools have since eased those restrictions, inevitably allowing for increased exposure by individuals with food allergies. While giving gifts to teachers and school staff, be mindful that they may have food allergy or other dietary restrictions. Here are some tips and ideas to make holiday gift-giving more inclusive of food allergy considerations:
When planning your teacher gifts, it may be useful to send out a short “favorite things” survey in advance for teacher(s) or staff to fill out. Below is a short survey that includes a question around food allergies highlighted at the end. Feel confident that the items you gift will be enjoyed and, more importantly, safe to be consumed.
“Favorite Things” Survey (inclusive of food allergies)
Gift baskets often contain an assortment of items, many of them containing nuts or other top 9 allergens. (milk, eggs, nuts, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, wheat, soy and sesame). If you are unaware of your teachers’ food allergies, it’s best to avoid baskets containing items with the top 9 food allergens.
Be mindful of soaps and lotions that contain top 9 food allergens (for example, with nuts/coconut added to oils). Here is a basic guide on how to read nutrition labels properly.
Food items are great, but there are plenty of non-food items that will certainly please, such as hand-made crafts, experiences (museum visit, dinner, shows) or traditional gift cards so they can purchase what they want.
Your gifts are sure to be appreciated, especially when you are thoughtful about food allergies. Happy gifting!
Hosting an Allergy-Inclusive Dinner
It all begins with an idea.
As you plan out your to-do lists for the holidays, here are some easy tips for hosting a holiday dinner that considers the perspectives of guests with food allergies:
In your holiday dinner invitation or email, specifically ask for guests to indicate allergies or dietary restrictions. The top 9 allergens include: milk, eggs, nuts, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, wheat, soy and sesame. If any of your guests have allergies, understand the basics of how to read nutrition labels properly, if possible.
Be mindful of unexpected items in your household that may contain top 9 allergens – soaps and lotions (with nuts and coconut added to oils) and holiday centerpieces (such as chestnuts and walnuts).
If your guest has an allergy and the allergen will be present in some of the dishes, it’s recommended to keep those dishes in a separate area and mark them with a special indicator. Extra hand washing and surface wiping may be a good idea if you go this route.
It always helps to have Benadryl (chewable or liquid) on hand in case guests find the need for it. Your guest(s) will be grateful in the unexpected event that an antihistamine is needed.
By following these basic tips, all guests will feel included and comfortable at the dinner table. Not to mention, your guests with food allergies will be thankful you considered their situation. Happy hosting!