Christmas Gifts for Teachers/Staff

[Dancemomof3]

I'm a teacher and so appreciate being thought of at the holidays. GC are very appreciated. One year early in my teaching a mom got the other moms together and each bought a book to help me build my class library. I think those books were my all time favorite gifts. A word of caution on the homemade food-make sure you know the teacher well. I do not eat food that is sent from a family I don't know well. Here's why-a sweet little boy offered me a homemade chocolate chip cookie he brought for his birthday treat. After I ate it, he told me his cat was on the counter licking the bowl!! while his mom was trying to make the cookies. I know many teachers shy away from homemade treats for similar reasons.

Along these same lines, I have been donating books or money to the kids classroom, the school library, or the public library in our small town (money to the libraries only) for all 3 of my kids teachers since Pre K. When I donate to either of the libraries they will put a special sticker on the inside cover that says "donated in honor of Mr./Mrs...."and we can decide on the message we want, we usually say for being a great teacher or something like that. All of the teachers seem to like this.

 

[jaminmd]

Thanks for the input. I never know if I am spending an appropriate amount and/or remembering the right people. I have done gift cards in the past for my oldest dd's teachers. Last week I bought a Vera Bradley tote bag and id holder for my youngest dd's preK teacher. I got a really good deal on it - I think I paid $25 after various discounts but the retail value is $60. Now I wonder if I should give it to someone else and get the teacher a gc?

Yes! Sorry, but VB is an acquired taste, lol, one that I do not have. Yes, any gift should be appreciated but you may want to give that to someone who would appreciate it.

 

[nephthys43]

i appreciate every gift i receive from my students, even if it's just a note telling me they love me. gift cards are great as well. and my bf loves when they give me chocolate. i'm allergic and he gets to eat it.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Remember when giving gifts...

People might have allergies to lotion scents
People might not like to use candles due to the scent
Teachers have too many mugs, ornaments, and items that say NUMBER ONE TEACHER on them or TEACHER themed items
People might have food allergies or be on a restricted diet...gluten, eggs,etc so that homemade food item or store bought chocolate might not be such a good idea

With budget cuts what about classroom supplies...might not be exciting but teachers would appreciate. Paper, pencils, pens, crayons, glue, books, etc

Movie gift cards or gas gift cards

Staples gift card

Just a kind note of thanks if money an issue

I see teachers carrying the monogramed bags all the time....know they like those! :} with all the work they take home!!!

Just think twice about giving that plate you got on a great deal with homemade cookies, or the free lotion you got, or the candle you love so much or the teacher themed item.

I sub and see cabinets full of items you know are Christmas gifts from years past...the mugs, etc etc. Of course you will be told I LOVE IT...but give something general, not food or scented.

 

[motherof2boys]

I read all the post & agree with the one above most. I have an 8th Grader, a 5th grader, & I've worked as a Preschool Teacher Aid in the public school for 5 years now. Our School system no longer allows parents to pool together to get one Teacher Gift. So I have always gotten the (Elementary School) Teachers a box of chocolate & a $25 GC to Barnes & Noble. Some teachers use it for their classroom library, others for their personal use. I know some do not eat chocolate but after a GC got lost one year I use the chocolate to tape the GC too.
As a Teacher Aid I appreciate any type gift. The most hurtful to me is a parent who give a gift to the Teacher and doesn't even give me a Thank you. That being said I'm not saying I expect a gift. One of my most favorite gifts was a hand made card from a 5 year old showing me with blue hair reading her a book. It's hanging on my wall 2 years later!
So my opinion--
No candles please- I can't stand the smell of most
No body stuff please-scents are such personal preferences
No home made food please-I work with your child every day-I see how clean or not clean he/she is each morning & I know your family secrets
No expensive items you got on clearance-For example I love Vera Bradley stuff but I have my favorites. I feel horrible when you buy me something nice but it's not my taste & I feel horrible when your child asks me why I don't use it!
If you buy me a GC to anywhere I'm sure I will use it & appreciate it.
One last thing-please don't lie to me about my gift b/c you feel bad. I don't expect anything from you. A thank you would be nice but not needed. For 2 years a parent told us our Christmas Gift was on her kitchen table as well as our end of the year gift.

 

[JamesMom]

I usually get my kids (4th and 2nd grade) teachers a $25 Target gift card and DS special ed teachers an assortment of homemade treats.
This year DS10 has 2 teachers so maybe a $10 gift card for each with a small bag of treats.
Middle school next year, I might go with the $5 gift card for each subject and call it a day

 

[tmbowers]

Thanks for all the great insights. I think I will give the VB set to my sister and get each of my kids' teachers gift cards. I think teachers are so overworked and underpaid, and I want our teachers to know they are appreciated.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

of course you will be told i love it...but give something general, not food or scented.

this!!!!!!!!!

 

[caribear]

Last year when DS was in Pre-k we gave both the Teacher and Asst. Teacher a $25GC. DD's teacher was given classroom supplies from Aug-Dec (extra copy paper/antibact/wipes...that were not on any school supply list)...and we were never thanked. I did not give her anything for Christmas or end of the year. This year DS has 1 teacher....DD has 2 teachers.....plus our wonderful bus driver! Things are tougher for us this year....so I am not sure how much we can do, but I am still planning on GC's. I either do Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Longhorn, Red Lobster...there's one other they can go to, but can't remember right now) or Target.

For the end of the year, I bought DS's teachers Tervis Tumblers. They loved them...and I have seen them using them in the classroom this year!

For Teacher Appreciation week I usually buy a couple of large bunches of flowers from Sam's Club....decorate some plain plant holders....and make arrangements for the teachers.

 

[SDFgirl]

Teacher here. I love getting gift cards!

Our 3 kids are in daycare. I will give $25 gift cards to each of their "main" teachers - probably to Target or Amazon.com.

For the assorted aides and teenagers that work there, I will probably do some homemade cookies. I would love to do more but there are about 15 of them.

 

[Keegansmommy]

I've never gotten a gift card from a student, but I'd love that! Then again, most of my students are low income so I appreciate the thought of any gift - or even a card!

The last two years I gave my son's preschool teachers Christmas flower arrangements. They were beautiful and could be enjoyed for a few weeks but wouldn't take up space forever.

 

[tlh0726]

Last year at Christmas I gave the main teacher for both DS and DD a candy dish full of hershey hugs and kisses and put a $25 walmart gift card on top.

For all the special teachers, nurse, main office ladies. I got them each a puzzle and attached a note that said Thank you for being a piece of our big picture, Merry Christmas from Kaelonnah and Cashton. and the note had a picture of DD and DS with Santa.


End of year, the specials teachers each got a planter with a note attached Have a blooming good summer!

Main teacher got a braided trunk hibiscus.


Year before that since I knew the teachers I did pumpkin rolls, chocolate fudge, and peanut butter fudge for xmas gifts

No clue what I'm doing this year yet.

 

[Cindy B]

I've never gotten a gift card from a student, but I'd love that! Then again, most of my students are low income so I appreciate the thought of any gift - or even a card!

The last two years I gave my son's preschool teachers Christmas flower arrangements. They were beautiful and could be enjoyed for a few weeks but wouldn't take up space forever.

I hear you. I have never received one either. My previous district was the poorest city and one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. I was lucky if my older students came to school alive after weekend shoot outs!

A card would be nice. When I hear these threads, I think that I went into teaching to help others- so when I see the light bulb go off- or if work improves over time- that is the best gift.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Does anyone know if you can use a Target gift card in a Starbucks that is inside the Target store? If you can that's what I'm going to give so I'm not limiting the teacher to coffee if they are not a coffee drinker.

 

[poppinspal]

Does anyone know if you can use a Target gift card in a Starbucks that is inside the Target store? If you can that's what I'm going to give so I'm not limiting the teacher to coffee if they are not a coffee drinker.

I'm a preschool teacher, I don't drink coffee and going to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts for food doesn't really appeal to me. I always feel bad when families give me gift cards to either place. I'm not sure if you can use a Target card at the Starbucks inside but a Target gift card or even a generic American Express gift card is something all teachers can use if you're looking for a non coffee related gift card. I had one family who asked all of us if we drank beer or wine and what we preferred and they got us wine at the end of last school year with some nice chocolates, that was nice.

My Starbucks gift cards all go to my brother and I will buy hot chocolate with my Dunks or treat people at work till they run out. (Right now I still probably have about $50 to Dunks from last Christmas.) I also will say that often times I end up giving away bath and body works lotion to friends because I get so much of it.

Oh and for parents with younger children or if you know your teacher well... do not underestimate how much a nice note in a card can mean to your teacher. I have a small binder with notes from the holidays and teacher appreciation that mean more to me then the forgotten gift card. (Not that it's not nice to have a gift card to treat myself with.) I work with kids because I love kids and love to help them grow so it's nice when parents let you know they appreciate that.

 

[littlele]

I'm a preschool teacher, I don't drink coffee and going to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts for food doesn't really appeal to me. I always feel bad when families give me gift cards to either place. I'm not sure if you can use a Target card at the Starbucks inside but a Target gift card or even a generic American Express gift card is something all teachers can use if you're looking for a non coffee related gift card. I had one family who asked all of us if we drank beer or wine and what we preferred and they got us wine at the end of last school year with some nice chocolates, that was nice.

QUOTE]

Be careful on the wine/beer-our school district does not allow it on school property at all, so it would put everyone in an uncomfortable position if your districts policy is similar.

To everyone who does something for your child's school staff-I hope everyone can appreciate the thought as much as I do. Even if I receive something I can't use/don't care for- I TRULY appreciate the thought behind it!

 

[mjkacmom]

Does anyone know if you can use a Target gift card in a Starbucks that is inside the Target store? If you can that's what I'm going to give so I'm not limiting the teacher to coffee if they are not a coffee drinker.

Not sure (we don't have starbucks in our Targets), but you can use a Barnes and Noble gc at Starbucks in their stores (but you can't use a Starbucks gc at Starbucks in B & N).

 

[letsgoreds]

We usually give a Target gift card inside a hand made (by child) card. Sometimes the room mom is on top of things and collects $10/child, 'secretly' talks to the teacher about what they would like, and then we give it as a gift. With 25 kiddos, it can really add up to sometime nice. I heard of a different class that collected $20/kid and bought the teacher an IPAD!!! Crazy! Talking first grade here.

We make cards/buy gift cards for DS7's teachers and bus driver (she rocks).

Separately, we also give a gift card to our mailman, garbage man, and recycling man. Basically anyone in tougher service type position. One year, we gave our Kroger deli lady a card + $20 GC. She has been my DS7's 'girlfriend' since he was 2, and buys small Christmas presents for him each year.

Last year, we gave Barry our mailman a free Target Lego set with the gift card (he is really good to our family). Bless his heart, he assembled it, glued it together and gave it back to DS7. Now it hangs on our Christmas tree : )

 

[scrapquitler]

How much do you spend on average for your child's school teacher? If there is an aide in the class do you spend the same on her as the teacher? Do you buy gifts for any other school staff members... Principal, are teacher, music teacher, etc?

$5-$10 max. My DD only had an aide in the classroom one year, and since she was a one on one aide for a particular student, no. I did not buy for the principal, secretary or specials teachers.

I did buy a $5-$10 gift for the bus driver.

I always bought some sort of gift card for both the teacher and the bus driver.

 

[tzeitel]

You can use Target gift cards at the Starbucks inside Target. This came up just yesterday as I was buying gifts for DD's teachers!

This year we are doing baskets for her teachers - went to Offcice Max and they had tons of stuff on clearance so we are doing school supplies and fun stuff For her awesome bus driver we will probably do a GC. DD will make cards for each person.