david has 4! the main teacher and 3 teacher aides. Im not count speech though (GULP! SHould I give her too? i dont know even her name :blush: , david only sees her once a week for 20min, whatcha think?)
OK so gimme ideas. not too exp cuz im broke.
Shawna in CA
12-04-2007, 09:05 PM
My son's teachers always liked stuff like movie tickets, or a bag of gourmet coffee with some kind of fancy flavored creamer, or fancy sugar, or a nice assortment of loose leaf teas, or tickets to dine out someplace (be sure to learn if the teacher is a vegetarian or has other dietary restrictions first, though), or if they had pets, they enjoyed gift cards to pet supply stores.
Bunny
12-04-2007, 09:07 PM
A gift certificate to a coffee or tea shop & a ceramic mug. :goodvibes:
rcarver
12-04-2007, 10:19 PM
A basket full of homemade goodies or homemade mixes to make goodies later.
ANYTHING! Seriously, I taught for 7 years and would only get a few gifts at Christmas. I taught high school and my elementary friend would come home with piles of stuff. Any little gift made me feel appreciated, even if I couldn't use it.
Namaste
12-05-2007, 07:07 AM
Starbucks gift card. DD's teacher is getting that. She loves Starbucks.
Juan M
12-05-2007, 08:04 AM
A basket full of homemade goodies or homemade mixes to make goodies later.
ANYTHING! Seriously, I taught for 7 years and would only get a few gifts at Christmas. I taught high school and my elementary friend would come home with piles of stuff. Any little gift made me feel appreciated, even if I couldn't use it.
:youreright:
As a former high school teacher, I can say that gift certificates were the best. I especially liked certificates to Sonic, Burger King, and Barnes & Noble. Most were not that much either, a $10 certificate was much appreciated. Teachers never do get the recognition they deserve and even then, not many people give us gifts. Anything you give will be greatly appreciated!
whalvo
12-05-2007, 08:28 AM
I'm a high school teacher and don't get many presents, but I think any teacher would love a coffee shop gift card. Personally, I would love a ton of pencils (high schoolers are such pencil thieves!), but really unique ones so that I can call them out if they steal one (THAT'S MY HELLO KITTY PENCIL!).
Any present is well received, even just a nice note. Thanks for supporting your teachers!
kaspears17
12-05-2007, 09:15 AM
I'm not a teacher, but I got each one of my kids teachers a hand blown glass vase. I picked them up at the flea market for 6 bucks each, and they are gorgeous. I figure i'll stick a gift card for Starbucks in them and wrap them up.
jniter
12-05-2007, 11:01 AM
as a hs teacher, i didn't get too many presents. the coolest thing i got was a beaded necklace one of my students made for me. most surprising was a $30 GC to Westfield!
but honestly...the little knickknacks add up. and while the mugs and such are nice to feel warm and fuzzy, i have a shelf full of stuff i don't use and feel bad about, because i want to donate them, but i don't want to.
i say something edible is best. i'm all about food now. something that will be enjoyed, but it won't sit on a shelf 'til doomsday. a GC to starbucks or the like is in the same category. or jamba juice.
Juan M
12-05-2007, 11:05 AM
as a hs teacher, i didn't get too many presents. the coolest thing i got was a beaded necklace one of my students made for me. most surprising was a $30 GC to Westfield!
but honestly...the little knickknacks add up. and while the mugs and such are nice to feel warm and fuzzy, i have a shelf full of stuff i don't use and feel bad about, because i want to donate them, but i don't want to.
i say something edible is best. i'm all about food now. something that will be enjoyed, but it won't sit on a shelf 'til doomsday. a GC to starbucks or the like is in the same category. or jamba juice.
Ahh yeah, it's all about the food for sure. That's why I liked the Sonic and Burger King GCs!
rcarver
12-05-2007, 12:51 PM
I'm a high school teacher and don't get many presents, but I think any teacher would love a coffee shop gift card. Personally, I would love a ton of pencils (high schoolers are such pencil thieves!), but really unique ones so that I can call them out if they steal one (THAT'S MY HELLO KITTY PENCIL!).
Any present is well received, even just a nice note. Thanks for supporting your teachers!
Off topic but... I ripped the erasers off pencils and hot glued pom poms on the end. I thought that kids wouldn't want the pencil if it did have an eraser and the pom pom would make them easy for me to spot. Well, boy was I wrong! The kids stole the pencils. They thought the pom poms on the end were so cool.
AmayleeCreations
12-05-2007, 04:06 PM
A staples easy button
De-lovely
12-05-2007, 04:10 PM
I'd go to etsy.com and get hemp soap and/ or soy candles.:thumbsup: Handmade lip balms.
asianmama
12-05-2007, 04:32 PM
office supply store gift cards-(office max,stapples) since most teachers have to buy supplies.( well in my state at least)
julieanne
12-05-2007, 05:35 PM
Last year we made Hot Cocoa Mocha. I put it in a baggie, and put it in mugs I found at the dollar store. Everyone loved it. Here's the recipe.
3 c. hot cocoa mix
1/2 c. instant coffee
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
Serving instructions:
Add 3 tablespoons mix to 2/3 cup boiling water. Enjoy!
We tied a piece of paper that we wrote the serving instructions onto the mug handle. Very cheap to make and very easy!! HTH:goodvibes:
SandyG
12-05-2007, 07:37 PM
what about best buy GC?? :headscratch: would that be too wierd LOL? i ve got one LOL .
thanks girls and Juan ;) for the replies :loveit:
mamapickle
12-05-2007, 11:14 PM
We're giving fleece sox from tmries here on DS. Buy 3 pair for $21, get fourth pair free. They're very nice. I may put something small with them, but they are soooo cozy and great on their own. :goodvibes:
Trishalynn
12-06-2007, 03:52 PM
what about donating to a charity in their name? my mom is an middle years teacher and she always comes home with tons of stuff she never uses and ends up tossing out. Their school now asks that if parents are considering buying their teacher a gift that they donate to a charity instead.
jniter
12-06-2007, 04:18 PM
what about donating to a charity in their name? my mom is an middle years teacher and she always comes home with tons of stuff she never uses and ends up tossing out. Their school now asks that if parents are considering buying their teacher a gift that they donate to a charity instead.
that's a GREAT idea!
yeah...the knick knacks add up. the sox idea was cool though
one of my students once gave me socks when she noticed i rarely wore them. :giggle:
MyLil'Mountaineers
12-06-2007, 04:59 PM
I got DS's teachers GCs to Bath and Body Works last year. They LOVED them!!!! I'll probably get them the same this year or maybe a WAHM candle.
My mom is an elementary school teacher and she says the best gifts are homemade ones (she loves them all, though). I would steer clear of just plain mugs (unless there was something in it). My mom gave 5 whole boxes of mugs away just from her years of teaching. Now, she loved the fact that her students (and parents) thought of her but who really needs 5 boxes of mugs? :giggle: She did have some really cute ones, though (I took some of them :mrgreen: ).
I think that any thoughtful gift would be appreciated. Our teachers don't get thanked a lot so just the idea that you are thinking of them makes them happy!!!!!!
asianmama
12-06-2007, 07:37 PM
i dont think the best buy gift card is weird idea
regifting is a good thing
SandyG
12-06-2007, 07:39 PM
i dont the a best buy gift card is wierd
regifting is a good thing
can you retype that LOL not sure if you telling me its a wierd thing or not :giggle:
asianmama
12-06-2007, 07:45 PM
regift the gift card if u wont use it
the teacher probably would use it :giggle:
SandyG
12-06-2007, 08:07 PM
:thumbsup:
chameleon607
12-06-2007, 08:33 PM
Before staying home, I taught elementary- one of the most unique gifts I ever received was a Guiness Book of World Records for 2001- I loved that gift- and have never forgotten it. That could get expensive though for 4 teachers and aids. Starbucks GC's are always good- even if the teacher doesn't drink coffee (like me) you can use it to buy good CD's. At the end of last year, my parents all went together and got me a AAA Visa debit card- so I could use it anywhere (I liked that). I just used it today to buy my baby a big boy car seat. Barnes and Noble gift cards are good... A Blockbuster gift card taped or wrapped to a package of popcorn would be fun and wouldn't have to be a large amount to be appreciated. Or gift certificates to the local cinema- that may or may not be expensive depending on the cinema. You could also do a teacher breakfast appreciation gift- pick a morning, write the date in a Christmas card, and bring the teachers breakfast in the morning (or put a menu in a card beforehand if you were wanting to buy the meal and let the teachers choose what they would like). You and your son could make homemade cookies and wrap them beautifully as gifts for the teachers- they would appreciate that you and your child worked together to create the gift.
Griffinsmom
12-06-2007, 11:58 PM
we burned a CD of really good xmas music and put a cute pic of our son in a santa hat as the cover
I also usually make homemade body sugar scrub - that's easy and cheap and sooo nice to use in the winter with dry skin.
HappyEarthCreations
12-08-2007, 11:53 AM
For my daughter's preschool teacher we're giving her a tin shaped like a snowman and filled with lotion, lip balm, hand sanitizer, etc.
Last year we gave homemade fudge, and that was a big hit!
fish3737
12-08-2007, 12:04 PM
I got DS's teachers GCs to Bath and Body Works last year. They LOVED them!!!! I'll probably get them the same this year or maybe a WAHM candle.
My mom is an elementary school teacher and she says the best gifts are homemade ones (she loves them all, though). I would steer clear of just plain mugs (unless there was something in it). My mom gave 5 whole boxes of mugs away just from her years of teaching. Now, she loved the fact that her students (and parents) thought of her but who really needs 5 boxes of mugs? :giggle: She did have some really cute ones, though (I took some of them :mrgreen: ).
I think that any thoughtful gift would be appreciated. Our teachers don't get thanked a lot so just the idea that you are thinking of them makes them happy!!!!!!
I have been teaching for over 11 years and I have so many christmas mugs.
Some of my favorite gifts:
Homemade stained glass cross (my student's uncle had a shop)
Gift Certificates
Any - homemade stuff - the cookies in a jar, dessert drinks in a jar, soup in a jar (all that stuff you just add a couple ingredients)
office supplies
It is always the thought that counts - but I always end up with a ton of stuff from the dollar tree. I figure the parents let the little ones loose with a couple dollars ( but that is pretty sweet and cute too). - They probably don't think their teacher shops there too!! :)
But where do they think I get their Christmas presents. :)
AlexandZoesmom
12-08-2007, 04:27 PM
I just wanted to add in that I am a school based OT and, I know you're ona budget, but including the speech teacher would be nice if you can. Teachers don;t get much recognition but therapists get even less:mrgreen:
Anyway, what about a book or two for the classroom library? And I second homemade goodies - and my favorite things I have even gotten always included a card or note written by the kiddo :)
SandyG
12-08-2007, 05:24 PM
I just wanted to add in that I am a school based OT and, I know you're ona budget, but including the speech teacher would be nice if you can. Teachers don;t get much recognition but therapists get even less:mrgreen:
Anyway, what about a book or two for the classroom library? And I second homemade goodies - and my favorite things I have even gotten always included a card or note written by the kiddo :)
i would certainly do the ST too. thanks
and how can i have more than 10 replies in a page??!!! i gotta find that out in my usercp cuz its annoying LOL :lostit:
selinajean
12-08-2007, 05:47 PM
We just received a request to avoid personal gifts for the teachers this year. Instead, a card from the child and a small donation is what is asked for in its place. The donations go towards education fees for a girl in Africa.
topazbug
12-10-2007, 03:25 AM
I just saw this before I saw your thread - don't know if your into it, but it looked pretty cool to me!
You have to click on the words for the blog entry, clicking on the pic just enlarges the image ;)
jenncatsmeow
12-10-2007, 06:01 AM
As a teacher, I've seen it all.
My favorite last year was a Dunkin Donuts Gift Card w/ $5 on it....just enough for a breakfast meal....then I've been recharging the card myself all year.
:)
luvsviola
12-12-2007, 09:58 AM
I'm a teacher and here is what I don't want...
A mug. I have about 20 of them.
Apple stuff--I get a lot of it.
Lotion--I have a huge stockpile still from last year
Here is what I would love...
Nice Christmas tree ornaments
A handmade card by your child
Gift cards to Target, Starbucks, Borders
Something unique
a_budravage
12-12-2007, 10:33 AM
What ever you do, avoid coffee mugs at all costs...My dad has received SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many and they just get thrown out in a few weeks (my parents keep about twenty in the house and still receive a few each year...). I would say homemade goodies. Just a little bag for each teacher should be fine.
lovemaya
12-12-2007, 12:38 PM
I have 2 teachers to buy for, here is what I did.....I bought a snowflake mug at the $store...filled it with homemade sachets-Holiday fabric, with flax seed and peppermint essential oils, and cinnamon leaf essential oils,,,,a candy cane and a gift card to the local cafe I work at.....
havanadaydreamin
12-12-2007, 01:06 PM
I think that I am going to get blockbuster gift card and attach it to a big candy bar and a bag of microwave popcorn
WonderMom
12-12-2007, 01:11 PM
i read on yahoos home page they done a survey with teachers on waht they dont want for christas well dont it on dads, baby sitters and teachers
heres how it went:
as i can remember anyways
teachers would rather have giftcards or a giftcard from entire class was waht they wanted
dads dont want ties anymore or any of that they would rather have cds and dvds etc
babysitters dont want lotions and etc they want money lol
But, it is a Catholic school and my mom and dad are the authors and store owners.
DEmom
12-13-2007, 06:09 AM
my dd has a couple favorite teachers, we are doing brownies in a jar for them
Distinctive Decals
12-14-2007, 06:17 AM
Last year, I baked my famous (actually, my grandmother's recipe) pound cake in a bundt pan, cut it into quarters, then wrapped each quarter separately in a pretty dish towel and tied with a bow. Then, I got $10 gift cards to WalMart with dd's picture on it (you order those through the photo department online and pick up at the store) and attached those to the pound cake package. The teachers loved them!
RedHed
12-15-2007, 05:02 PM
My oldest has 5 teachers/aides in his preschool. I found some green and red tuperwares, mixed the bottoms and lids and filled them with the recipe from mama in post #15. Wrapped the containers with gold ribbon, they all loved it!!
It cost me $12 for the whole thing. I can't complain about that.
TeachinAuntie
12-15-2007, 05:23 PM
I'll second GC for food...BUT I haven't really gotten anything like that.
Some of my most meaningful gifts have been knickknacks/ stuff animals that I know the kids picked out.
Like I was sick for about a week and when I came back the kids had made Get Well cards and bought all my favorite candies. The cards were all shades of purple. They actually paid attention to me and what I liked. There were giant Mr. Goodbars, bags of Reeses Cups, Riesens. All the stuff they had seen me with before! It was GREAT! Plus, teachers keep a few knick knacks on the desk. I try to limit mine to stuff kids have given me and pics of my family.
Oooh, how bout some desktop sized picture frames. I even have one that says "I Love Teaching". (Mom got it at $$ store!)
My mom used to crochet pencil toppers for the teachers.
donnamarie
12-18-2007, 07:24 AM
I didn't read all of the posts but I do have one thing to say ---
PLEASE no MUGS, Candies, Cookies or nick nacks--
I'm not a teacher but I was the Assistant to the Headmaster for a few years and I remember ALL of the teachers say how much they wished parents would not give them any of the above... Can you imagine getting a mug from 25% of your students for year after year!! UGH!!!
Parents often brought gifts for us office staff and I really appreciated small gift cards to Starbucks, Barnes and Nobel, Borders, a restraunt even office supply store (for those teachers who don't get reimbursed for supplies they need).
Just my :2cents:
donnamarie
12-18-2007, 07:26 AM
Ok ... I apoligize, I just read the post above mine and I guess any cute gifts that the kids picked out are awesome too! Hand made cards would be perfect too!!
