Christmas Gift Ideas... For Teachers

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

(Also posted this on the Community Board.)

Okay, I know, I know, Christmas is still three months away, but I'm already starting to think of gift ideas for teachers. It'll be here before you know it!

Anyway, I have been pondering upon this thought all day.

We were going to put together gift baskets for:

• All seven of DD(14)'s teachers. She's a freshmen in high school.
• DS's kindergarten teacher.

Any inexpensive ideas? They can be store bought or handmade.

Thanks!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Hi! One of the students I had last year gave us baskets with hot chocolate mix in it (in a pretty jar--the homemade mix kind). Then she put a baggie of marshmallows, a baggie of chex mix and a baggie of chocolate covered peanuts with it, put all of it in a cute, inexpensive basket (from Walmart) and put a pretty bow on it. I loved that gift, and I got it for several different years--I coached her for 7 years in addition to being her guidance counselor. I could use the baskets again, and DH and I always looked forward to the goodies!

 

[Mickster]

One year I got small houseplants with a note that said "thanks for helping me grow". I also once got homemade jelly and crackers.

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

Aww! These are some real cute, creative ideas!

Keep 'em coming!

Thanks, DISers!

 

[eeyorelori]

Inexpensive is my middle name...Lol..I had some cheap coffee mugs i put in a pac of choco mix and a candy cane ....Also i got at the dollar store calendars pocket and big ones ...Dollar store has nice bath goodies i bought for a going away present for a teacher..There fav candy and some instant capochino and a mug ...Oh im full of ideas ...

 

[GoofyGolferGirl]

I usually give a twenty or twenty five dollar gift certificate, but we only have one teacher.

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I've done the cocoa mix w/ candy cane in a mug.. I've done bath gels and soaps for them to unwind from a stressfilled day, I've also done the gift certificates. The nice thing about the teachers around here is that most of them take the time to send the kids a thank you in the mail during the break.. This allows the kids to know the teachers are still thinking about them.. This year we are doing the altered paint cans w/ goodies in them for the younger kids (I have 3 in elem. still).. the middle school is making the cocoa mix and mugs again with 8 teachers and our HS he isn't thrilled but we will be sending something in for his teachers too!

 

[MazdaUK]

I usually send in some home-made preserves of some sort - sweet and savoury - wrapped in coloured tissue.

Or how about a traditional fruit Christmas cake (do you have it over there?), as you could make it now and it improves with keeping - especially if you feed it with brandy! Delia Smith has a good reliable recipe, also for mincemeat for mince pies (again, good made in advance).

 

[sherreis]

Last year, I bought these pretty glass votive candle holders and wrapped them with several different color, scented votives in a gift bag.

Year before, I knitted scarves.

This year, I am making beaded bookmarks. Taking some pretty ribbon and sewing different beads on the ends as a fringe. For the main teachers, I'll give a small gift card for Barnes & Noble or Borders.

 

[Brise Nannie]

I really like the bookmark idea. Never knew a teacher that didn't need one (or several) of those. I don't do beading but it can't be that difficult to figure out. Anyone have any instructions for me? I wouldn't know where to begin.

 

[sherreis]

Here's directions to one version of a beaded bookmark.

Beaded Bookmark

 

[GIOny]

I'm not a teacher but my neighbor is and is and she has told me in the past that she had dozen mugs and usually gave them away (how many can you use), so when I have asked her what she enjoyed recieving, she told me note cards so she could write the Thank you notes. It made sense to me. I also like the gift certificate idea!!

 

[Brise Nannie]

Here's directions to one version of a beaded bookmark.

Beaded Bookmark

Thanks for the quick response. I'm going to check out the site now.

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! I'm a teacher. Small, inexpensive things I love are rubber stamps, ink pads, stickers, $5.00 gift cards to Starbucks, Michaels's etc. I would avoid giving anything homemade (my colleagues & I only eat things from a few moms that we know well & have been in their kitchens). The homemade stuff we get ends up in the Teachers' Lounge & sometimes the custodians take them/sometimes not.

 

[janice12]

Sorry sales plugs like this not allowed on the DIS

 

[JerseyGirl114]

You'll need:
1 whisk - purchased from dollar store
several hershey's kisses
netting & bow

Fill the whisk with kisses, secure with net, tie with a bow with a note that reads "I whisk you a merry kissmas".

Cute, different & cheap! I received one as a gift one year & ever since then my kids have given these to someone at xmas time! It's really easy for them to make too.

 

[marlynnp]

I do a Movie Night gift bowl for my daughter's teacher each year. A big cheap plastic bowl from Walmart, a big bag of Raisinets, a big box of Jr Mints, 4 or 5 bags of microwave popcorn and a gift certificate for blockbuster! Each teacher always thinks it's the greatest most useful thing they've ever received from a student.

 

[Grants Mom]

I make these.....they are a great alternative to a "normal" gift basket. They are called "gift can" Might be a little more($35) then what you want to spend. Locally, I will sell them with a $20 gift card to Blockbuster or some place like that, but online they sell for $15. They come filled with 2 - 1.55oz candy bars (with wrappers on them that I make), 2 mini bags of popcorn, 12 mini candy bars, some mints, .....or any other snack type food you would want in them. I can ship to you or the gift reciever. Just an option for any of you who want to get something but do not have the time.

I am currently in the process of placing these on my web site.....so if you check it out and do not see them....they are not there yet! That is a SLOW process!

I have a few "christmas" designs, and "Teacher" designs as well.

Fell free to contact me if you are interesed in seeing other designs. Hope this helps some of you out!

 

[Olaf]

Not to upset anyone here or anything, but I became good friends with DS's teacher last year and she gave me the low down on the gift thing. She said teachers are drowning in mugs, candles, x-mas ornaments, and potpourri. What she, and many of the other teachers did, is to box most of those gifts for a year or two and then regift them to the volunteers at the end of the year. Makes sense to me.

I think the idea of handmade thank notes is a great one. The bookmark and the movie bucket sounds useful, as well. I've always just given gift certificates, accompanied with a handmade thank you note. Not very original, but they've always liked them.

 

[Grants Mom]

Stephanie,
My sister - who is a teacher - says she HATES all the normal "Apple" type stuff she gets. She too dontes most of it! Or regifts what she can. She has gotten the note cards, and gift certs before too! Thanks for the "Low down"!