Saying "thank you" -- especially in writing -- is definitely #1. Even better is if you can personalize the note with a hand-drawn picture on the front or inside ... or take advantage of printing cards through iPhoto. A good photo of the instructor or teacher doing their job will be treasured.

And, while thanking someone at the end of a year or right before the holidays is always nice, there's nothing like a spontaneous thank-you for a special experience. Did the coach or teacher take a few extra minutes to help your child with his serve or her book report? A jam jar of flowers, a wrapped piece of fruit (orange, apple, kiwi, plum) or a small bag of nuts with a note is perfect.

Best of all, recognizing someone else's effort -- then feeling and showing gratitude -- is a life-enhancing skill for your child.

Jennifer Bestor - Thank you for sharing your great thank you ideas. Yes, it's a wonderful skill for kids to learn.

I've been a kindergarten teacher in the Oak Grove School District in San Jose for 17 years now and over those years I've received many different kinds of thank you's from families like : gift cards $---alright, personal thank you cards from parents/kinder students---Super, A letter from a student whose graduating from High school back east,who let me know I was the most influential teacher in her life (with details why) and the one teacher she'll probably remember 10 years from now---Priceless! Of all the ways I've received thank you's over the years, the ones I've saved or remember are those with a heart felt note that spoke to how I made some kind of difference (no matter how small) in their child's education whether it be academically,emotionally, socially or behaviorally. Mr. K (Hayes Elementary School Teacher)

Mr. Kauffman - Thank you for sharing how treasured a thank you note can be.