Inexpensive Teacher Gifts??

[Eureka]

I assume that your FB friends know you- that's the difference. I would eat food provided by almost all of my FB friends. Those whose food I wouldn't is also because I know them. However, FB isn't anonymous so I wouldn't expect honest answers.

As far as school goes, some families have had children at my school for years- food's OK. I live in the neighborhood so some are neighbors therefore some I know we'll enough to eat the food. Others I do not.

What I meant is that many of the teachers at my kids' schools have said that they look forward to my baking. Many of the FB comments came from them. It also never occurred to me that someone would take the time to respond to my question only to lie to me. (referring to what you said about not expecting honest answers on FB)

 

[michelle06]

My daughter had 6 teachers this year - primary + 5 specials teachers (art, music, etc). I did the Bath and Body Works deal for scented soaps 6 for $21. I love these! And, I just hoped that maybe they would also. And I also bought the neat soap cover for her primary teacher. Do you think these were appropriate / appreciated gifts? I wrote special notes to each of them as this was a really special year for my daughter. During Teacher Appreciation Week, my daughter wrote her own notes for each teacher.

 

[JoJoFromNY]

We have wrote teachers a thank you note at the end of the year with a scratch off lottery ticket enclosed and a Hershey bar on top. "Hey, who doesn't like a little chocolate and would love to have a chance to win some money." (Or maybe buy a bag of dove chocolates and tape a few pieces on the envelope instead...way better tasting chocolate IMHO)

 

[Purrrrfecta]

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.

I absolutely agree with this!

 

[MSSANDRA]

My daughter had 6 teachers this year - primary + 5 specials teachers (art, music, etc). I did the Bath and Body Works deal for scented soaps 6 for $21. I love these! And, I just hoped that maybe they would also. And I also bought the neat soap cover for her primary teacher. Do you think these were appropriate / appreciated gifts? I wrote special notes to each of them as this was a really special year for my daughter. During Teacher Appreciation Week, my daughter wrote her own notes for each teacher.

Thoughtful and Perfect!

 

[tryin]

I am also a teacher. My most valuable gifts are simple notes written by parents. List a few reasons why you appreciate that particular teacher. I would take a million of those over any store bought gift. hth!

 

[jkearson]

I'm a 3rd grade teacher. One of my most memorable and appreciated gifts was lunch provided by a mom. A few days prior, the student had me write down specifically what kind of sandwich I wanted from Subway. The other teachers in my grade level were also included. Later in the week the parent brought us sandwiches, a big bag of chips, and some homemade brownies. It was so thoughtful and such a nice treat. She even covered our lunch duty for us so we could eat in peace. Now that I have children of my own, I try to do this at least once each year for their teachers.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I'm sorry if this is harsh, but I'm a teacher and any gift that isn't a gift card pretty much gets tossed. Except notes - I keep those in a box. I would rather have $5 to Starbucks, the gas station, Target, etc rather than food, school supplies or whatever crap someone found on sale that I will throw away bc I have enough of my own crap. Again, sorry if that sounds harsh, and I never expect gifts, but if you're going to spend $5 on me or any other teacher, trust me PLEASE just put it on a gift card. No matter how much teachers say they love your homemade stuff.

 

[ryalluvdiz]

I'm sorry if this is harsh, but I'm a teacher and any gift that isn't a gift card pretty much gets tossed. Except notes - I keep those in a box. I would rather have $5 to Starbucks, the gas station, Target, etc rather than food, school supplies or whatever crap someone found on sale that I will throw away bc I have enough of my own crap. Again, sorry if that sounds harsh, and I never expect gifts, but if you're going to spend $5 on me or any other teacher, trust me PLEASE just put it on a gift card. No matter how much teachers say they love your homemade stuff.

Exactly right on!!!

 

[ryalluvdiz]

My daughter had 6 teachers this year - primary + 5 specials teachers (art, music, etc). I did the Bath and Body Works deal for scented soaps 6 for $21. I love these! And, I just hoped that maybe they would also. And I also bought the neat soap cover for her primary teacher. Do you think these were appropriate / appreciated gifts? I wrote special notes to each of them as this was a really special year for my daughter. During Teacher Appreciation Week, my daughter wrote her own notes for each teacher.

I also like bath and body works!

 

[Brook1099]

I bought reuseable lunch bags/snack bags for teachers. Go to lunchskins.com. They have plenty of designs to choose from for both male and females.

 

[Alexle2007]

I got my son's primary teacher a gift card to The Loft where she likes to shop and we got a room gift of a Starbucks GC because she loves soy caramel lattes (I bring her 1 once or twice a week). His other teachers will get GCs in smaller amounts. I am also treating all of the 1st grade teachers (4 of them) to lunch on Wed. This is my son's 1st year and it has been an amazing experience with wonderful teachers. He started the year in kindergarten and then was skipped up to 1st grade in Jan to finish the year. So his teachers has been a little spoiled

 

[irishsharon]

I just bought my boys teachers a large serving dish(has different compartments and is on a lazy susan).I thought it would be great for summer entertaining.Now reading this thread I'm afraid the teachers are going to hate them

 

[jwfla422]

I'm sorry if this is harsh, but I'm a teacher and any gift that isn't a gift card pretty much gets tossed. Except notes - I keep those in a box. I would rather have $5 to Starbucks, the gas station, Target, etc rather than food, school supplies or whatever crap someone found on sale that I will throw away bc I have enough of my own crap. Again, sorry if that sounds harsh, and I never expect gifts, but if you're going to spend $5 on me or any other teacher, trust me PLEASE just put it on a gift card. No matter how much teachers say they love your homemade stuff.

LOL, see not harsh at all, as the OP I have more than procrastinated ...dd's last day is this Wed. and I'm still torn, but not now, of ot pick up the $5 GC's tomorrow-thanks for the post as I was thinking about buying cookies or some baked goods or something like that but kept thinking to myself (if it were me and not to be "selfish" I would prefer a $5 GC card over cookies or baked goods as I try to stay away from that stuff and I would much rather be able to get an iced tea or even a gallon of gas...). But I did have her write notes to them which I do think is important.

 

[horseshowmom]

I just bought my boys teachers a large serving dish(has different compartments and is on a lazy susan).I thought it would be great for summer entertaining.Now reading this thread I'm afraid the teachers are going to hate them

Don't feel that way. I'm sure they will enjoy them. The gift will be very useful and the thought much appreciated no doubt!

 

[rdsx28]

Just thought I would include that my daughter had a male teacher whom she loved. I purchased a small personal cooler (not very expensive) and filled it with a can of soda, a few snacks, small bottle of sunscreen and a magazine and a small note of thanks to enjoy his summer! He loved it .

 

[afinnteach]

Over the years I have received many gifts and I have been thankful for each one, but by far the best are the notes thanking me for my efforts. From students, parents, or community members (music teacher, so sometimes my choirs perform locally) I've kept them all and like to read them whenever I need reminded of the importance of what I do. Also, in a pinch a nice email had the same effect!

The most creative present was a candy bar in a picture frame with a caption that said break in case of am emergency! Lol!

 

[torinsmom]

I just bought my boys teachers a large serving dish(has different compartments and is on a lazy susan).I thought it would be great for summer entertaining.Now reading this thread I'm afraid the teachers are going to hate them

Everything I receive is greatly appreciated, even if it is my 100th mug with "Favorite Teacher" on it It IS the thought that counts and I am happy that the parent cares enough to do something. If it is something I can't use, I pass it on to another teacher who can use it. It's kind of like pixie dust at WDW And the thought stays with me forever, just like the thought behind a gift card, lotion, a note, etc.

I will say gift cards are my favorite, mainly because NC teachers are so underpaid and every little bit counts. I put gift cards in a jar and use them at WDW--I have a few Visa gift cards, a Chik-fil-a gift card and a few more in there from Christmas.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

Everything I receive is greatly appreciated, even if it is my 100th mug with "Favorite Teacher" on it It IS the thought that counts and I am happy that the parent cares enough to do something. If it is something I can't use, I pass it on to another teacher who can use it. It's kind of like pixie dust at WDW And the thought stays with me forever, just like the thought behind a gift card, lotion, a note, etc.

I will say gift cards are my favorite, mainly because NC teachers are so underpaid and every little bit counts. I put gift cards in a jar and use them at WDW--I have a few Visa gift cards, a Chik-fil-a gift card and a few more in there from Christmas.

I save mine for Disney too! This year I received over $170 in Target gift cards, a Fandango card, Cheesecake Factory cards, And many more, which will be used when I get to the world in 3 weeks I am going to use the Target GC to purchase Disney GCs, and I will also use my Amex and Visa gift cards I got and apply them to my hotel bill. My parents know how obsessed I am with Disney. All of the teachers got summer gifts this year for teacher appreciation. This included beach towels, sun screen, more gift cards to restaurants, Barnes and Noble gift cards. We are SO loved and spoiled at my school. I Absolutely love my students and my parents!!!!!!!!

 

[DizneyLizzy]

But I did have her write notes to them which I do think is important.

Even if I throw someone's cookies away, I keep their notes I love looking back at notes students have written me when I see them graduate years later, or when I'm having a bad teaching day, etc. I also really like it when it's clear that the kids have written the notes, and clearly aren't just dictating what their parents tell them to write. I'd rather have less formal notes that come from the heart.