Need ideas for multiple, inexpensive thank-you gifts...

[Minnie_me]

At the end of the school year, my DDs always make a little gift to give to many of the people at school. We get bigger gifts for their classroom teachers, but these little gifts are for the secretaries, playground and lunch monitors, nurse, art teacher, librarian, etc.

In the past, we've done little potted plants, handpainted jars filled with candy, handpainted wooden pins,...

I'm running out of ideas! It has to be CHEAP!

 

[mjkacmom]

I made up little herb gardens for the preschool teachers this year - I bought plastic baskets at the dollar store, and put 3 herbs in each.

 

[DawnCt1]

Body Works is having 75% of on a good selection of their products this week. Antibacterial hand soap, liquid soap, shower gel, body lotion, etc.

 

[Minnie_me]

Body Works is having 75% of on a good selection of their products this week. Antibacterial hand soap, liquid soap, shower gel, body lotion, etc.

Ooh -- very good to know!!!

 

[Corryn]

One of my favorite treats from DISNEY are the HUGE rice crispie bars!
There are molds specifically for this at the craft stores. I don't know anyone who doesn't appreciate a rice crispie treat - it's pretty cheap, too....

 

[freckles and boo]

I have a similar dilemma each June. My younger daughter not only has a classroom teacher, she also has three aides, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a SLP, a social worker, a school nurse, SPED PE teachers, etc. (and I am sure I am forgetting someone) who interact with her at least once a week and quite often more. I am indebted to them. They are awesome people whom I want to thank but I just can't afford to get them all individual gifts. What I usually do is buy her teacher a gift card to Borders or Target. I get the aides gift cards as well but with less value. Then I buy a basket or a picnic bucket and fill it with goodies. I usually spend about $70 on gourmet cookies, tea, cocoa, chocolates, etc. I know it isn't much but it something for them to snack on as they do their end of the year chores. I write a note thanking them for their wonderful compassion and professionalism with my daughter. I do something similar at Christmas.

 

[breezy1077]

I started a thread about it awhile back and had some very good ideas. I ended up letting DS pick between planted herbs or geraniums - he picked geraniums. He then picked up individual big packages of licorice. He made homemade cards, and I wrote thank you cards.

We're like freckles and boo, he has about 6 teachers, aides and therapists - so it can add up. Plus my daughter had her teacher and 2 aides.

Good luck, I'm sure whatever you pick will be nice. My mom is a 4th grade teacher and she says she likes the plants. And I know she uses the antibacterial soaps in her house from Bath and Body works - the foaming kind. Also, if it's from a family that she knows is clean (sorry if this info sets anyone off, but it's true), she loves homemade treats.

 

[Stacerita]

Instead of doing multiple small gifts, do one larger one. DD and our family got to know the front office staff at her school. They always went above and beyond for her over the last 7 years. I was thinking of getting each of them a gift, but opted to do one larger one instead. I ordered and had delivered an edible arrangement. They loved it. Everyone was able to share it and they are so good and beautiful. You might want to think about something like that. They aren't cheap, but it was cheaper than getting many small gifts.

 

[mommytomy3]

I took DD to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in the mall, and let her pick out specialty caramel/chocolate apples to give.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Is there a Michael's near you? They have a dollar bin that always has really cute soaps, bath salts, notecards, notepads, candles, magnets, fancy tissues, etc. And if a dollar isn't cheap enough, they frequently go to 50 cents each. Right now our Michael's has a lot of stuff at fifty cents.

 

[LittleBlue22]

How about a nice, but inexpensive writing pen? Cross or Parker. I love a nice writing utensil.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I lucked out this year in WalMart one day. In the candy aisle I found Ghiardelli chocolates (which I often buy as thank yous) had a special Thank You assortment with Thank You written right on the package for under $5. The kids signed them in Sharpee right on the box and handed them out to coaches and school personnel. (There were 3 box choices - one other said "Love" and I can't remember what the 3rd was.)

 

[Kath2003]

Have her decorate cookies!

I think it's very sweet, my Mum's a receptionist in a school and works hard. She has a magnet which says "No one knows what I do, until I stop doing it." It's true; these people are the oil which keep the machine running for the teachers, believe me we couldn't live without them!

I also second the idea of something for all the staff; a nice cake would go down well! Alternatively save it and give them something on the first day of next term - it's always horrible returning to work after a nice summer break!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I bought personalized note pads. I think they were $3-$4 a piece. They were a big hit. I love to give consumable gifts. I ordered them from www.patswebgraphics.com. I bought 15 different pads with names and they were done correctly and delivered promptly!

Lori

 

[stenickar]

As a teacher and the parent of 2 kids with autism I have a perspective from both sides. A nice family gave me a plant-sorry to say it had to be buried before the last day of school. I am not good with plants but didn't have the heart to tell them. I know that as a teacher I would much rather have a picture or note from the child/family telling me what they enjoyed about being in my classroom. I am noootttt a nic nac person, I cringe inside when I see something that looks like it might be a nic nac. Of course I always smile and say thank-you to the students.

For my DD I went to Sam's and got a sampler cheesecake for all of her teachers, therapist and paraprofessionals! Last year I had pizza delivered for them at lunch. They all seemed to enjoy this.

 

[freckles and boo]

Have her decorate cookies!

In our district the children are only allowed to bring in store bought treats with the ingredients on the label. They can come from the grocery bakery but home-baked goods are a no-no. Kind of sad, but I understand why they do it.

 

[mjkacmom]

My ds 10 had an exceptional teacher for 4th grade this year. I wrote a letter to the principal, listing all of her wonderful qualities, and cc'd the teacher. Free and meaningful!

 

[Minnie_me]

UPDATE -
On a funny note, I actually am a teacher, too, and so I feel the added pressure to give the "perfect" gifts!

For all of the staff gifts, the girls are making bookmarks out of metallic-colored paperclips and beads - very cute and CHEAP!!!! They're attaching them to cardstock notes that say, "Happy Summer Reading!"

Simple and cheap!

We're still stuck on what to give the actual classroom teachers. I didn't particularly care for DD10's teachers at all, and LOVED DD7's teacher. Awkward, since they're all my colleagues - LOL!

THanks for the great ideas!!!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Beach towels and totes are now on sale. I saw some at Kohl's Friday. Combined it would be around $20 and a cute gift. Target has inexpensive totes also.

Lori

 

[DebD4T]

I used to go to Blockbuster and get the tubs of unpoped popcorn and $5 or $10 movie cards. Then I would go to Costco and buy the $10 boxes of different chocolate bars. Pack everything up in the popcorn bucket and wrap it in cellophane paper. Everyone always loved them.

Now I get the teachers scratch-off lottery cards. They are a big hit also.