Inexpensive Teacher Gifts??

[jwfla422]

OK so here we are almost at the end of the year and I'm procrastinating. I don't want to be "cheap" but I have 7 teachers to buy for.

Was thinking of $10 gift cards for each to a local quick serve restaurant but ($70 is still a little much right now, but I will do that if necessary yet at the same time, I feel like a $10 gc is not enough, ugh )...so I'm open for some ideas?? THANKS!!

 

[Disworldluv]

I am a retired teacher (high school level). I am curious as to why feel you must give each teacher a gift. Gifts are not expected by teachers and was discouraged in the system I worked.

 

[Gigi22]

My best friend of some 40 years is a retired special ed. teacher. I can't tell you the number of coffee mugs she received as year-end presents. While she appreciated the sentiment behind the gifts, she donated them to a local charity--there's a limit to the number of coffee mugs any human being can use.

How about making a donation to a school lunch program, using the money you were going to spend on gift cards, and giving each teacher a thank you card (paper or email) stating that you made the donation in recognition of their efforts?

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

Last year I did 'bruschetta in a pot'. I planted a cherry tomato and a basil plant in a small planter. They were a big hit. DH (a teacher) says he would rather a $5 DD or Starbucks card than a $10 McDonald etc. he says the sentiment is the same and he doesn't feel guilty that someone spent a bunch.

 

[sk!mom]

I am a retired teacher (high school level). I am curious as to why feel you must give each teacher a gift. Gifts are not expected by teachers and was discouraged in the system I worked.

I'm currently a teacher and agree completely. Gifts are not expected. A nice note to a teacher who made a positive impact on your child is always appreciated and enough of a thank you!

That being said, I did gift my kid's teachers through elementary. In middle school and high school, we gifted only those who made a special impact or impression. Once the kids were spending such a short time with so many teachers, they just didn't feel the bond with most teachers that would develop in elementary.

If you want to give a gift, I'm always in favor of gift cards. At Christmas, I usually do Starbucks and at end of year I usually do an ice cream or froyo shop. Unless you know a teacher really well, it's hard to find an inexpensive gift that you can be certain will be used. We do not drink out of mugs "Made in China" (too many lead paint stories) so all mugs go straight in the trash. I hate to waste money so I stick with gift cards.

Just thought of a great inexpensive gift a parent delivered to my building yesterday at dismissal- Sonic drinks! She had her child bring around an order form last week and delivered them yesterday. Sonic has 1/2 price drinks during Happy Hour every day so it was probably only about a dollar per person. Much appreciated at the end of a hot day the last week of school.

 

[wiigirl]

I usually do spa items or a starbucks gift card.

 

[bearpele]

I do a beach towel and a gift card for my daughter's teacher at the end of every year. I find out where the teacher loves to shop. We do a gift card during the holidays and teacher apprepriation week since she is still in elementary school. I agree that once she moves to junior/high school - we will purchase only for those teachers whom have made an impact for her.

 

[StephMK]

I would not feel bad about doing $5 GC or even just a thank you note. Last year, a student gave me a water bottle with a flavor packet and thanked me "for quenching their thirst for knowledge". Another gave me a Diet Coke because all the kids knew I drank it too much.

Don't feel like a gift has to be expensive to be appreciated!

 

[amomma23]

At the end of the year, DH often gets gift cards to some local ice cream places. He loves it, and $5 is plenty.

 

[ItsNotMuchofaTail]

Another teacher here. Don't spend $ because you feel like you should. We honestly don't care. A $5 GC if you are inclined is perfectly fine - somewhere $5 is enough - Starbucks, Panera, Rita's, ice cream place, etc.

Include a note - You have made this school year neat, please enjoy a little treat or Thanks for helping me in school, hope this treat can keep you cool - or some other goofy thing, we love cuteness. Or just a thank you, we also love sincerity.

But really, I never expect gifts, and I would be sad if someone spent money that was tight in their budget on a gift for me. I don't do this job for presents.

 

[excitedfamof4]

If you have a Cracker Barrel in your area go check out their gift shop. I go there for all of our teacher, dance teacher and coaches gifts. You can always find some thing really cute for around 5 dollars and they will even gift wrap it for free!

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I am a teacher. Skip the gifts and have your child write a note or draw a picture. Your teacher will LOVE it! I keep all of these in a file!! If you do want to give a gift card, my friends and I love them. We would not complain if we got a $1.00 card. (I am serious!) We use every single penny on those Starbucks cards. Many of us keep them all in one place in our purse and stretch them out all year long.

 

[Egdisney]

My kids will be writing a note of thanks to their teachers. Teachers are generally the kindest people around, and I believe anything is appreciated, and they will not think of you as cheap.

 

[BeachLove]

Giftcards to Staples. My teacher friends LOVE it when the kids bring these in. Teachers tend to spend a ton of money each year on supplies, so why not help a little!


No mugs- They get donated, tossed or left in staff rooms.

 

[DizMe]

We usually do homemade gifts. MW beanbags have been popular and are easy and cheap. You just make a tube, like a pillow case, out of muslin-type fabric, fill it with grains (wheat or barley), add some spices (I like cinnamon stick, crushed up, and cloves), and stitch it up. Make a cover for it out of a different fabric so it can be removed and washed. It can be put in the freezer to make a nice soothing ice pack or mw for a couple of minutes as a hot pad.

The older kids have also made little things. We've gotten good ideas out of Disney Family Fun magazines.

 

[scoutie]

I am a teacher. Skip the gifts and have your child write a note or draw a picture. Your teacher will LOVE it! I keep all of these in a file!! If you do want to give a gift card, my friends and I love them. We would not complain if we got a $1.00 card. (I am serious!) We use every single penny on those Starbucks cards. Many of us keep them all in one place in our purse and stretch them out all year long.

Pretty much that exactly.

Don't underestimate the power of a thank you letter. This year, our principal had the students and parents write a short note to the teachers who have impacted them this year and it was the highlight of my year. I will cherish those beautiful letters for years and I will pull them out when I need a boost.

 

[horseshowmom]

I agree - a $10 gift card times 7 is too much. If you feel like you really want to do it, don't go over $5, but a nice note is more than sufficient.

 

[writersblock42]

I am a high school special educator and I can count on one hand the number of gifts that I have received in my career from students. I really did appreciate the gifts that I got but a sincere thank you note would have had the same effect. On the other hand, we do get lots of the same type of stuff from gift exchanges, teacher appreciation week and things like that. I have more ornaments and mugs than I need. Oddly enough one thing that I would like is a water bottle and never received one of those. If you do want to get a gift some great ideas would be a book for the teacher's library, school supplies like pens, pencils, sticky notes, dry-erase markers (I always need those), staples, paper and things like that.
But seriously, most teachers do not expect anything.

 

[jwfla422]

Thanks for the replies, I know some of you asked why I feel I should give something to her teachers, I just feel I wanted to give an extra little "something" as a "thank you"...(she will write a thank you to all of them regardless).

She goes to a small private school and they have all been very good to her for the past few years and this is her last year there so I just wanted to express my thanks with a small token gift (other than a mug)...I don't think I've ever given a mug.

 

[torinsmom]

Let the teachers know you will be bringing in bagels, cream cheese and coffee one morning as thanks for their hard work. Maybe even find out the flavors at your favorite bagel shop and let them place orders. I know Panera has a deal where you get a baker's dozen for $6.99 on Tuesdays. As a teacher, I would love a fresh bagel in the morning

Also, any gift is appreciated and even a $5 gift card is plenty. It really is the thought that counts.