Kindergarten teacher gifts?

[Happiest mommy]

Hello my DIS friends this year my older DD started Kindergarten and I just wanted to know what are good teacher gifts for christmas? what have parents given and what has been the best gift recieved by a teacher? TIA

 

[southern_redhead]

I've done several things. Usually something they can use at home. One year I did candles, tea towels, and a nightlight. That was a big hit (but expensive for 2 teachers!) This year they are getting large totes with their last names embroidered on them (I got them at Bass outlet for $6 a bag and will pay someone to add the names) and some chocolates. Maybe an ornament (?) if I can find something cute.

My mom is a teacher and she said she has more stuff with rulers and apples than she can say grace over. She said they really burn out on it, BUT I know here one thing our teachers like is a gift card (to a teacher store, Staples/Office Max, Target or Walmart) to buy things for their classroom. They have a very limited budget and a lot of what they have comes from their own paychecks so giving them a card and letting them get what they need can be a real help.

 

[Graciesmom77]

This year we are getting both of my girls teachers board games for the classroom. That way the kids have something to play with during indoor recess and the teachers have something they can use, but don't have to lug home.

 

[hambirg]

I always liked GCs. . .Starbucks, Borders, school stores, etc. I would have liked the board games too. Of course I appreciated everything I got, but we do get a lot of mugs and candy. . .that kind of stuff usually ends up in the teachers' lounge. I liked the GCs because I could pick out something that I needed for the room (well Starbucks was for me ). I sometimes give Bath and Bodyworks stuff. Teachers wash their hands a lot and lotion always seemed to be in demand.

I like to just ask the teacher sometimes. When I was asked I almost always said, "White board markers. . .pleeeeeze." We had a serious shortage of them and I would actually have to lock mine in my file cabinet every night because other teachers would "borrow" them.

 

[happydisneyfamily]

This year I found these cute apple shaped (sorry, lol) anti-bacterial hand soap dispensers from Bath and Body Works. I have it set aside to give the teacher's for Christmas. It's so cute I got one for our house as well.

 

[hambirg]

This year I found these cute apple shaped (sorry, lol) anti-bacterial hand soap dispensers from Bath and Body Works. It's so cute I got one for our house as well.

Those are actually really cute (and can be refilled). Do they still have those? I try to stay out of BBW lately. I have a small BBW problem.

 

[caribear]

I bought my DD's teacher a $25 GC to the local teacher's store. She had mentioned that she needed some new items for the classroom....so I thought it would come in handy. I have also done a small starbucks card in a pretty mug if I knew the teacher liked coffee/tea.

 

[Mrsdennison]

Gift cards are nice. I like soaps and hand sanitizers. Candles are nice. I even enjoy Christmas tree ornaments. The only thing I get that I set to the side is homemade candies and treats. I'm a little strange about wondering how food was prepared and such. But of course I would tell the student that I loved it. It is the thought that counts.


Once I got a gift card to the movies. That was really sweet. My dh and I usually dont go, and it was a nice treat.

Mrsdennison

 

[disneymami]

every year I give my girls's teachers a small box of hand crafted thank you notes. I make them myself and I have been complemented over the years.
I enjoy making birthday cards, thank you cards, congratulation cards. I buy the gift box and put the cards in that. The teachers have loved them because they can use them as they wish.
I use Stampin Up rubber stamps for the crafting but Michaels Arts and Crafts has a nice selection of stamps and markers. Once you have the materials you are set and you make many cards. The teachers like it because it is a unique gift.

 

[happydisneyfamily]

Those are actually really cute (and can be refilled). Do they still have those? I try to stay out of BBW lately. I have a small BBW problem.

I am so hooked on them I have enough stuff to use until the end of the year. Not to sure about the stores but I checked and they are still available on the website.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

We did movie night kits. They had a $10 GC to Hollywood Video, a $10 Papa Murphys GC, microwave popcorn and 2 boxes of candy all in a big popcorn bowl. They were a big hit.

 

[daisyduck123]

Gift cards are my favorites (and my teammates' favorites). Even ones for just $5.00. Places we love: a bookstore, Target, Michael's, and Staples.


I recommend avoiding: candles, lotions, ornaments, apple/teacher themed items, coffee mugs, and picture frames. Most teachers who have been teaching more than 5 years have wayyyyyyy too much of the stuff.

 

[dreamer423]

I always appreciate the gc-starbucks, target, barnes and noble. one f the things i did get was a key chain bracelet thingie. i can put it around my wrist as i go out to the store and not fumble at the car.

One year-they pta took $ out of the "collected" class gift for a gc to Godiva. While i do like chocolate, I'd much rather have had books or something for the room. I think the PTA pres had a seriuos Godiva problem.

We have built in antibacterial soap and hand cleanser dispensers in the room. We also collect purel type things from parents thru the year.


Love the homemade cards idea.

 

[monorailsilver]

I made my dd's preschool teachers the snowman from Family Fun last year.

One of my oldest's classmates mom made that 2 years ago & gave it out to the whole elementary school. I thought it was cute & made it for the preschool teachers.

It is the one made with the key hole pavers.

 

[java]

I always go gift card. And I let my child "make" something crafty to go with. I get them from a variety of stores- depending on the teacher's interests. Like I used to bump into one all the time at the local breakfast place on the weekends so I got her a gift card to go there. Figure I could buy her and a friend breakfast- She must have liked it because when my other son had her 2 years later she brought up how much she enjoyed that gift card- which I took as a hint.

If I don't know the teacher well- it's a Target card. Who doesn't shop at Target?

 

[hedgehog2owl]

for Kindy we gave one GC for something she could use for her classroom-Barnes and Noble- and one she could use on herself-$25 to the local movie theater. Also wrote her a note of thanks, and my child did the same.

This year her teacher is more interested in the material side of life than the kindy teacher was, so I will either get her one big ($50) GC to Sephora or a smaller Sephora and a $25 to Barnes and Noble.

Those are actually really cute (and can be refilled). Do they still have those?

I want to know too! If they do I will make a trip to the mall.

My mom is a teacher so I am pretty careful not to give anything knicknacky, candles, or mugs

 

[StitchBuddy]

Gift card to Starbucks or Chili's etc.... I am a teacher and that is what I enjoy.

 

[allmydisneydreams]

This year her teacher is more interested in the material side of life than the kindy teacher was, so I will either get her one big ($50) GC to Sephora or a smaller Sephora and a $25 to Barnes and Noble.

Yikes! You give your teacher a FIFTY DOLLAR gift? That is extremely generous and I am sure very much appreciated, but Wow!

I teach preschool and I do LOVE gift cards But I also appreciate whatever the parents do because it is so nice of them to think of me ....

Last year I gave my kids' teachers gift cards to Wawa (convenience store with great coffee ) and they LOVED them - then at the end of the year I gave them Rita's GCs. I always have my kiddos write a nice thank you note, too.

 

[brymolmom]

I always shop teachers gifts at after Christmas sales. Last year it was a great find - snowman hand towels - very cute - a set for $5 at like 70% off. I got those for both teachers and a couple of grab bags.

THis year is tough - I did buy a couple of things after Xmas last year but honestly I have more trouble giving 'gifty' type things like this to male teachers (sorry, sexist I know) - and now both kids have male teachers. I might take some smaller things I have and put them together into a gift basket and purchase a couple of more 'male appropriate' things to go in there.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I think my DD's teacher is going to be easy...
she is a Disney freak too
She may even be a DISer, maybe I could get her a Lime Green Mickey head something or other