Need ideas for Girl Scout Leaders' gifts

[elizke]

I've been racking my brain trying to think of something to get our GS leaders. They've done such a good job and put in so much time, especially the head leader. I am now collecting for a gift, but don't have the idea yet. Trying to fall asleep last night and worrying about this instead, I thought of the DIS and knew people here would have some ideas!

I could just go with a restaurant gift certificate, but the leader has 5 kids and probably does not enjoy going out much right now. (I know she does not get babysitters to go out alone with DH either.) She is very very crafty, so all I can think of is a craft store gift certificate. Not really crazy about that idea though. I would also like to throw in something extra for her. Any ideas from GS leaders/crafty people?

The second leader I really don't know as well, but I know she's not as into crafts.... I do know they will be running a GS group together again next year as their daughters move up to middle school.

Thanks for any and all ideas you might have!!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I am a leader and I would not want the craft card b/c I might think it was to be used for the troop or I would end up using it for that. How about a card to a place that has take out food? G.S takes up a lot of time and on meeting nights we usually through something together. Or a card to a clothing store? A tote bag is also nice if you want to put the gift card in something.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Our leaders are very dedicated and I am thinking that next year (this year was already taken care of) I want to get them some Leader wear from the GS store. They make special shirts and pins and scarfs for the leaders and our leaders don't have any of that. I think they would like to have a nice leader shirt to wear on official outings and to community events, but that is a "splurge" they won't purchase on their own.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Our leaders are very dedicated and I am thinking that next year (this year was already taken care of) I want to get them some Leader wear from the GS store. They make special shirts and pins and scarfs for the leaders and our leaders don't have any of that. I think they would like to have a nice leader shirt to wear on official outings and to community events, but that is a "splurge" they won't purchase on their own.

Please don't take this wrong but as a leader "No Thanks". This is one more item of clothing that I have to launder and put away for the "special events" and then have to remember where I put the darn thing. There aren't many official outings or community events and if I want a GS Leader shirt then I'll just buy what I like. It may be different in your area but in ours its only Community Days and the town parade. Would I wear it to the Bridging/Court of Awards? Maybe if I could remember to dig it out of the bottom of the drawer and launder it in time because its been several months since I last saw it. Sorry but that's just my 2 cents.

I always receive Kohl's Gift Cards. They are fine. I'm not a big shopper at Kohls but the family always needs something. IF I get one this year I'll save it until the end of the summer and go buy stuff on sale for our Disney Cruise in November.

 

[luvmy3]

Please don't take this wrong but as a leader "No Thanks". This is one more item of clothing that I have to launder and put away for the "special events" and then have to remember where I put the darn thing. There aren't many official outings or community events and if I want a GS Leader shirt then I'll just buy what I like. It may be different in your area but in ours its only Community Days and the town parade. Would I wear it to the Bridging/Court of Awards? Maybe if I could remember to dig it out of the bottom of the drawer and launder it in time because its been several months since I last saw it. Sorry but that's just my 2 cents.

I always receive Kohl's Gift Cards. They are fine. I'm not a big shopper at Kohls but the family always needs something. IF I get one this year I'll save it until the end of the summer and go buy stuff on sale for our Disney Cruise in November.

I have to agree about the Leader wear. OP, I think there may be a reason why none of your leaders own any I never wore any and I only know of 1 leader who does, she has cadettes now adn they do alot of things where she would get use out of it, but most of the leaders don't bother.

How about a GC to a local restaurant that they like, or a coffee place? Something to go along with their hobbies, like a bookstore GC with a nice, maybe homemade bookmark, garden tools with a GC to a graden center, or just a homemade card from your dd. I know it sounds corny and cliche but of all the little things the girls and the mom's got me, the homemade cards are what meant the most

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I'm a leader, and I would love a restaurant, bookstore, movie theater or department store gift card. A restaurant with take-out would be great if she doesn't like to go out. If you know for sure that she enjoys doing crafts on her own-- a scrapbooker or something, the craft store gift card would be nice, too, however, if she just has good ideas for the girls, then a craft store card would just get used for the troop, anyway. Maybe you could mention on the card - this gc is for you, not to be used on troop craft supplies!

I would not wear any official GS clothing, either. No offense to the person who suggested it, or any leaders who enjoy wearing it, but in my area, very few leaders wear this stuff, and it's not because they don't want to spend the money. Most of us prefer to wear our own clothes, no matter how official the event is.

I know it's hard to buy for people you don't know well, so I think the most generic things are best. A department store gift card could be used for so many different things, it's probably the best bet. I would stay away from really specific items, like Starbucks gift cards, unless you have actually seen her with a Starbucks cup in her hand. At the risk of sounding ungrateful, everyone who knows me knows I don't drink coffee, yet I have probably received about 10-12 Starbucks cards over the past 6 years of being a leader. I appreciate the sentiment, really I do, and I don't lead for the gifts, I do it for the girls, but I'm sure all those moms don't really mean to be keeping my BIL full of coffee.

 

[java]

I agree that a TAKEOUT place gift certificate would be welcomed. Or what about Target? Movie gift cards - it just cost me $50 to take my 4 kids to see Star Trek! I would have loved to have a gift card to do that one.

 

[madmom1030]

My troop gave me a GS t-shirt this year, saying inspire on it. I do wear my GS tshirts on days when we have meetings. I have several shirts and wear them to daycamp and other GS functions. I still have brownie troops and we can get messy. Since I wear them, I love my new GS t-shirt. Not everyone is a jean and t-shirt kind of person.

Depending on how well you know your leader, and how much you are spending. Something I have always enjoyed is starbucks cards, ( I am a coffee addict), if the troop is going in together a gift card for a massage or a pedi would be nice. Being a GS leader and a mom can get very stressful at times.

I would agree on the craft store, I would think that the parents would want me to use it on the troop.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I have been a leader for 10 years for 3 troops (all 3 of my girls). I have to say that you are very kind to give a gift. I don't do it for the gifts of course, but in all those years I have only gotten a couple gifts. One time I got a small photo album with photos of the girls through the years, and though I had lots of my own photos, I loved that. A scrapbook where each girl made a page would be nice, like of a favorite trip or activity.

I agree the Leader clothes may not be the best. I never have gotten any, but wouldn't love them though I'd wear it to be nice. and a craft gift card may be looked at as for the troop.

We often order pizza on scout nights, so I agree a restaurant GC might be nice. OR, what if a dinner out with her hubby and the moms babysit. I think people often underestimate what role a leader's husband plays in running the troop. My DH helps me so much, running to get patches, slepping supplies that are heavy to our meetings, filling in as the extra hands when I need him, not to mention how much of our money goes to the troop for here and there things. It would be a nice thing to do for the couple as a thank you, especially if the don't get out much. Maybe the girls could help babysit, maybe even towards a badge or try it (I forget how old the girls were.)

 

[hegsag]

Our leaders are very dedicated and I am thinking that next year (this year was already taken care of) I want to get them some Leader wear from the GS store. They make special shirts and pins and scarfs for the leaders and our leaders don't have any of that. I think they would like to have a nice leader shirt to wear on official outings and to community events, but that is a "splurge" they won't purchase on their own.

I am a gs co-leader and I would love that - I would probably wear the t-shirt to every meeting.

In my troop their are 3 leaders - the main leader and two co-leaders (I am a co-leader). My troop is only doing something for the main leader because people tend to think that she does it all and the other two have not contributed their time, energy and money. Not that I expect anything but I do have to say I find/found that hurtful that I was not appreciated for my time, energy and money that I put in.

 

[cabanafrau]

I take it from the fact you said you are collecting right now that this will be a group gift. As a former leader and now just a mom attending court of awards & bridging tonight, I'd recommend a dept. store gift card or a lawn & garden gift card. IMO either one would be appreciated by almost anyone.

DD has 4 spectacular leaders & we personally are giving each one a good-quality, small umbrella. She's been with the same 4 leaders many years now & they are very appreciative of the different types of gifts we've given for Christmas & year-end over the years. I try to focus on picking out something everyone uses, most people don't give as appreciation gifts (no candles or lotions) and something suitable to easily re-gift if it suits them to do so.

 

[elizke]

Thank you everyone for your help. You've all gotten my gift-giving thoughts flowing now, and that's what I needed!

As for the attire, I probably won't do that. Not because they wouldn't like it but because they have some already. : ) Last week crafty leader lady was wearing a pretty GS scarf in her hair, and co-leader had on a darn cool looking black t shirt with a GS symbol on the front.

The movie gift certificate is top of my list now. With 5 kids and a long summer looming....It would also make sense for the leader, with 5 kids, to get a more expensive one than helper, with two. (But she certainly put in a lot of time and I would not forget her Hegsag! I know you put in a lot too!)

But all the rest sound good too. Crafty leader IS crafty on her own too, (the kind who puts all the rest of us mothers to shame!) so she would probably enjoy some free stuff. But I wouldn't want her to feel guilted into using it for her troop next year. Free dinner is always great for busy moms! And great idea for the plant and poem below too.

Thanks all!!!

 

[mom22belles]

I went to this site http://www.kidslist.uc.edu/kidslist/gs/neil/recog.html and found this poem

While you watch this sprout rise and stretch to reach its full potential, think of the girls with whom you work, who grow and expand and blossom under your guidance. Give this bulb the attention you continuously give the girls and it will bear a flower as wonderful and beautiful as these girls will be when they leave us. As you enjoy this blossom, know that guiding appreciates your time, your efforts, and the consideration you give the girls. We could not play the game without you. Thank-you!


I attached to a potted mini rose plant. I gave one out to each of my DD Sparks leaders. ( Sparks are 6 and 7 year old girls in Guiding in Canada)

Nancy

P.S. The above website has tons of poems and readings that would be great to give

 

[ldadar]

Weird that this old post was the first hit when I googled "gift girl scout leader."

I'm giving my gifts from my family only and there are 4! leaders so I have to budget. I'm thinking a leader survival kit, but I don't like any of the ones I've seen.

I'm definitely including a tube of fabric glue. Maybe I'll put it in a camping mug with some chocolate.

I'd love to hear more ideas.

 

[scrapquitler]

I've been racking my brain trying to think of something to get our GS leaders. They've done such a good job and put in so much time, especially the head leader. I am now collecting for a gift, but don't have the idea yet. Trying to fall asleep last night and worrying about this instead, I thought of the DIS and knew people here would have some ideas!

I could just go with a restaurant gift certificate, but the leader has 5 kids and probably does not enjoy going out much right now. (I know she does not get babysitters to go out alone with DH either.) She is very very crafty, so all I can think of is a craft store gift certificate. Not really crazy about that idea though. I would also like to throw in something extra for her. Any ideas from GS leaders/crafty people?

The second leader I really don't know as well, but I know she's not as into crafts.... I do know they will be running a GS group together again next year as their daughters move up to middle school.

Thanks for any and all ideas you might have!!

How about a gift certificate for a place that delivers food or does take out? Like maybe a pizzeria or a chinese place.

Another option would be to go with a certificate for a mani/pedi/massage