Christmas gifts for daycare teachers?

[sherry7]

Okay, so I know it's only July and I'm already thinking about Christmas. But, I like to get a good head start on shopping so I can catch things on sale.

DD is 14 months old, and goes to daycare 5 days a week while DH and I are at work. It's a small daycare center, and there are only 4 employees (including the owner who works there). All 4 of the ladies take care of DD at some point during the week, depending on the schedule.

I really like the daycare center and I appreciate how well these 4 ladies take care of DD. I'd like to recognize that at Christmas, but of course my budget isn't unlimited. Can you all give me some suggestions of gifts, and how much you would typically spend per daycare teacher?

By the way, homemade stuff is definitely out. I'm not crafty, and my homemade cookies could be used as hockey pucks. Also, if it matters, I live in a moderate cost of living area.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[ozziejen2000]

If it is a small daycare center, you could buy lunch for them one day and have it brought in. There is the typical lotion baskets, individual gift cards. Even though u are not crafty, you could make a movie basket. You can get a plastic bowl, put some microwave popcorn in each one, and then buy a DVD and put it in there and wrap it in plastic, very budget friendly.

 

[richmond282]

The teacher gift questions pop up every year. Honestly, I'd give them gift cards. They don't have to be large denominations. As a teacher, I appreciate even a $5-$10 card to a fast food restaurant or Target-type store. I have received gift cards to the local movie theater for the cost of 2 matinee tickets (around $9 here). I loved that too.

 

[maleficentmom]

I work at a daycare of the same size. We each get a short lunch break and run out to a nearby fast food place.Maybe you could get them each a gift card for a fast food place nearby.Also, we make like $8 an hour(which is ok with me as i like my work)..I just use my money for extra stuff,but the other girls really depend on that just to make ends meet,so I think they might even like a gas or grocery card...or walmart. Sometimes we have a parent that makes a dessert plate or something like that and bring it into us,which is nice too and we can just munch on it throughout the day.You could always do $5-10 gift cards and if you don't think that is sufficient, maybe bring in a gallon of tea from McDs and a plate of goodies/veggies,etc...with a small staff,it is hard to even get to use the bathroom,let alone leave and get a drink.

 

[Lavaluma]

I've already started Christmas shopping too.
Last year for my son's preschool, we bought a set of Lenox Christmas ornaments on sale. We separated them out and gave each teacher one in a little gift bag with Hershey Kisses. I think it ended up being around $5 or $6 a teacher. I try to buy a gift valued at $10-$15 a teacher, I just try to get it on sale for $5-$7.
Other ideas are candles, plant, bath soaps or lotions from Bath and Body Works or a travel coffee mug with a gift card to a coffee place like Starbucks.

 

[maleficentmom]

I've already started Christmas shopping too.
Last year for my son's preschool, we bought a set of Lenox Christmas ornaments on sale. We separated them out and gave each teacher one in a little gift bag with Hershey Kisses. I think it ended up being around $5 or $6 a teacher. I try to buy a gift valued at $10-$15 a teacher, I just try to get it on sale for $5-$7.
Other ideas are candles, plant, bath soaps or lotions from Bath and Body Works or a travel coffee mug with a gift card to a coffee place like Starbucks.

Last year I did little gift bags (they gave me bags free with purchase) from Bath and Body Works for the ladies that work for my DH. I filled them with several of the hand sanitizers and a little purse holder(that you attach to the strap) and I think I put a larger item in with it....I would check with the owner to make sure no worker has allergies first....I already got baskets with a full size soap pump,lotion,and sanitizers on clearance for this Christmas for the ladies there.I will make them into gift baskets,and may add an ornament or a food item to it come the holidays.Sign up for their emails for discounts.

 

[perthgirl]

i once bought a set of miniature perfumes (a really good brand) and put one inside a christmas cracker. one set of five did the whole team and they absolutely loved them because they mainly got chocolate from their other kids

 

[aprilgail2]

I always give gift cards- usually 20.00 to a local place or store. I have a brother and many friends who are teachers and when I see the stuff they come home with and end up giving to me to put into my daughters school chinese auction I vowed to never give that stuff to a teacher -- mugs, ornaments, bath and body works and the worst-things with apples on them LOL. I don't give a gift to simply give something-I would rather it was something that I know they would like/use. I had seen one of her teachers numerous times eating at panera bread so I know that is a place she would use a gift card for.

 

[dimimi]

I used to work in a Child Care Center and in an elementary school. (Now I'm in high school and we rarely get gifts!)

The staff will appreciate any gift, however they will really appreciate the lunch or breakfast brought in and the gift cards.

Like I said, any gift is thoughtful, but a teacher can only have so many ornaments, mugs, etc.

 

[puffkin]

Last year I did little gift bags (they gave me bags free with purchase) from Bath and Body Works for the ladies that work for my DH. I filled them with several of the hand sanitizers and a little purse holder(that you attach to the strap) and I think I put a larger item in with it....I would check with the owner to make sure no worker has allergies first....I already got baskets with a full size soap pump,lotion,and sanitizers on clearance for this Christmas for the ladies there.I will make them into gift baskets,and may add an ornament or a food item to it come the holidays.Sign up for their emails for discounts.

That is what I did for daycare as well last year. I hit an awesome sale where I got a ton of the little hand sanitizer sprays and cream soaps at B&BW. We also go to Disney a lot, so I got a glass Mickey ornament for each of them (they are like $6 in the parks) when we went in early December and tied it to the package. They were thrilled as they don't get many gifts which surprised me a lot! They whole thing cost me about $25 split between 2 teachers. I did Starbucks giftcards the year before with a small box of premium chocolates since there is a starbucks right next to the school.

My DS just finished up at that school and on his last day we gave each of his teachers a thirty-one thermal lunch bag with their name on it. Those were a bit more (about $25 each) but they have been with DS for 2.5 years now (his teachers moved up with him every year). They actually cried at that one.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I shop the sales all year long at B&BW. And candles.

We have 2 boys in daycare and they have the main crew and the rotating staff( am teachers, pm teachers) Plus if they move up in age, I still like to recoginze their previous teacher, Just because they aren't in that room at X-mas, dosen't mean they didn't put their love and care into my boys during the year

We usually end up with like 15 bag sets. I do these for about $4 each

Right now I have for each set :
A full size hand soap
2 handsanitizers - pocketbacs
2 pocketbac holders
Lip balm
1.6 oz candle
Gauze bath lufa
Also, at Publix after x-mas last year, they had their reusable bags on clearance 3 of $1, which is cheaper that gift bags, or trying to use the celephane bags from B&BW

I put a lil tag on the outside with the flavors/scents and they can each pick which one they like. It works out prefectly

 

[AmandaRG]

Our girls have been in a mother's day out program, and I do gift cards. These women have put so much of their own money into their rooms, gift bags on holidays and other items that I really want them to know they are appreciated. I have done Target, Panera, and a local restaurant that was our girls' favorite at one point.

If you went this route, you could buy one a month and have plenty of time to work it in rather than trying to do them all at once.

 

[Jaybird6]

I work at a daycare and know that they way to a caretaker's heart is through our stomach

We often have parents bring in bagels and different types of cream cheese, subs, boxes of candy and other easy treats over the holidays. One of my favorite treats is cupcakes from the local "gourmet" cupcake shop - yum!

 

[daisyduck123]

I always give gift cards- usually 20.00 to a local place or store. I have a brother and many friends who are teachers and when I see the stuff they come home with and end up giving to me to put into my daughters school chinese auction I vowed to never give that stuff to a teacher -- mugs, ornaments, bath and body works and the worst-things with apples on them LOL.

From a veteran teacher (20 years now) - -THANK YOU for putting this out there. One more item I'd like to add....CANDLES.

Even I, (and I love Bath & Body Works btw), have too much of the stuff now. I sold several bottles/tubes of the stuff at my annual yard sale in May for .50cents each.

I'd much rather receive a $5.00 gift card (Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, bookstore, gas, anything) than $10.00 worth of lotions, soaps, etc.

 

[*3*Mouseketeers]

When my daughter was in daycare I made the daycare owner a picture with this saying. I printed it on parchment type paper, bought an 8x10 frame and nice 5x7 mat and framed it for her and she loved it. (It still hangs on her wall in her daycare center)

To the One Who Cares
For My Child

I hope you never fail to know
We’re grateful as can be.
You’re a most important person
To this little one and me.

You take my place when I’m not there
And yet you’ve never tried
To take my place in such a way
That I am pushed aside.

You always are included
Every time I kneel in prayer,
Dear one who’s caring for my child
When I cannot be there.


Of course you can change the fonts and personalize it.

 

[lovehoney]

My DS1 will be in parent's day out. Our school has a Christmas fund and you can send a check. The money is divided between the teachers. I can't think of better gift than a little Christmas bonus.

I donate to the Christmas fund at the day school for the bigger boys, but the boys always like to take a little something. Last year we made boxes out of magazines pages with Christmas motifs and put in a small pocket antibacterial gel with a small poem attached.

The year before the boys made handmade Christmas cards for their teachers. The teachers seem to enjoy the poems so I may have the boys write them again this year.

 

[ADKSPiette]

My DD goes to a daycare facility. During the year I bring in copies of coloring pictures for all the kids to enjoy based on the seasons or whatever they're learning about in the classroom.

At Christmas, I usually make a huge gift box of cookies for all the staff to share and include little ziploc bags for the teachers to bring some home. I also included a GC to Panera or Dunkin Donuts

Last year I bought a case of photocopy paper. I got it on sale for $15.00 and the teacher was THRILLED. I know it's not a pretty gift, but it was very much appreciated, because this is one less cost for her in providing stuff for her class.

 

[Zhoen]

At one point, I had my two daughters in a HUGE daycare center. My oldest had been there for 5 years, my youngest less, but between their two rooms, we had 12 providers, not including favorite providers from the past, the receptionist who wishes me a happy day EVERY day, the kitchen staff (hey, they made my kids two meals and a snack every day, all year... that counts for something in my book...) But we didn't want to break the bank, either (and let's not forget "Teacher Appreciation Week" in May is the same thing all over again... argh!!!)

Well we have done the movie route, this was years ago when Blockbuster was still robust. We bought "movie candy" (chocolate peanuts, raisinets, that sort of thing), microwave popcorn, and $5 blockbuster gift cards (which would cover about 1 rental.) We put all that in little holiday-themed paper lunch sacks and sent them with a note that read "PG-13 and up, only!" Because we figured they were probably sick to death of cartoon animals (goodness knows I am!!!)

My favorite year, I bought 20 "wish pearl kits" direct from China. They contained a canned oyster with a pearl in it, and a little pendant (fake silver). It took FOREVER for them to arrive, but I ordered them wayyyy early, and Teacher-Christmas was taken care of... what a great feeling! We had enough for all the "current" teachers, plus a few favorites and the receptionist, and the ladies all got such a kick out of their "treasure hunt"-- even the ones who were too squeamish and made somebody else "pull" the pearl for them! My older daughter's class actually did it together as a science lesson...

The cost for each of those years was about $6-7/per person... the best part about the pearls was that although I only paid that little, the same kits showed up in a local store a few months later for $30!!! So they really thought I'd gone all-out

These days, I'm right there agonizing with you. You want them to know how important they are to you and your children, but not at the cost of the kids future college fund... Only DD4 still goes there, and her room keeps getting new teachers... then just to make things extra hard, one is a guy! For Teacher appreciation week, I bought a Keurig for the breakroom. I think that one was a miss... <sigh> One year I got a "group gift" of one of those massager chair mat things (the kind that you add to a chair and it has all the rollers and things, not one of the cheap buzzer kinds, but not the $1k whole-body chair, either) and that is still in the break room to this day!

But for Christmas this year? I really don't know. It will be our last Christmas with them, DD will turn 5 next spring, and go to before-after center once she starts school. I have been talking to my husband about possibly putting up a gazebo for our "graduation" present next summer... I know, that's not "budget"... but they don't really have a weather-protected outdoor break area, just a metal table on the far side of the parking lot for smoking, and when all is said and done, they will have had one or both of my daughters for 7 years... honestly, I'm going to miss them. (older daughter in is before/after care, and it's a whole different world)

 

[smb6]

I've already put some thoughts into teacher gifts also.... I was considering doing the lunch thing as well.... We live in a small town with very little eatery options and so on their short lunch break either they are bringing lunch, buying from school, or making a super quick run to one of the few places around here.... There is a chickfilA in the town over that I know almost (if not everyone) loves; so I was thinking of going and picking up sandwiches one day for everyone for lunch....

I have a question for those of you who have done this or are considering this... Do you tell them in advance or just show up with lunch? I would prefer to just show up with lunch- but I would worry they may happen to have lunch plans that day so I don't know the best way to go about it.... I figure I'd show up about 15 minutes before lunch time, so no worries of them having time to have picked up something from around town- but still you never know if they may happen to have something planned that day....

 

[daisyduck123]

Do you tell them in advance or just show up with lunch? I would prefer to just show up with lunch-

1st grade teacher here

How thoughtful of you!! I suggest that you let someone know in advance...maybe even just give the school secretary a quick call in the morning to see if that would be a good day to do it.

I'll never forget about two years ago when my entire 1st grade team (5 teachers) returned from an out-of-school workshop one afternoon to learn that we had missed a catered luncheon (by a local restaurant). We really look forward to those catered luncheons!

Someone in our school had known about it ahead of time (principal, secretary, someone,) and just did not realize that we would be out of the building that day.