OT: Teacher gift ideas, what are you buying?

[belle1627]

Hey disers,

I need your help. Another year of wracking my brain trying to figure out what to get my ds/d teachers. One SK and one grade 3 teacher. Any teachers out there to give advice or any good ideas from other parents? I don't want to get the same old stuff, I am sure the collection of mugs and apple related items teachers get must be insane. I want to get something they want/need, any ideas, what are you getting your kids teachers??

TIA,

 

[MECH8T7]

Last year, we gave gift certificates for food. For the daycare staff, we gave gift certificates for Tim Hortons.

For teachers, we gave Cara Food gift certificates. I think we got them at Swiss Chalet but you can also get them at Milestone's, Kelsey's and Montana's. Doesn't matter where you get them, they can be used any of the four restaurants or also Second Cup or Harvey's. We feel pretty certain that the gift will be used.

 

[Vivig]

"For teachers, we gave Cara Food gift certificates. I think we got them at Swiss Chalet but you can also get them at Milestone's, Kelsey's and Montana's. Doesn't matter where you get them, they can be used any of the four restaurants or also Second Cup or Harvey's. We feel pretty certain that the gift will be used."

We did the EXACT same thing and they were all VERY thrilled! May I ask what a reasonable amount would be appreciated from the teachers?

 

[belle1627]

Great idea!!! Timmies would always be appreciated, and I know you can't go wrong with food!!!

 

[drag n' fly]

I have always given starbucks gift cards. I usually give 20 but because I have so many extra to give this year I am only giving 10 dollars worth.

 

[minniemomof3]

We always gift Tim Hortons Gift Certificates, we feel certain that's it's a gift that will be used and easy for the teacher to carry out of the class room.

 

[amw]

I have given gift certificates for Chapters -- with a note that they can spend it either on books for the class, or simply for their own personal reading.

Gift certificates for Scholar's Choice would be good too if you live near one.

 

[pooksma]

I have given gift certificates for Chapters -- with a note that they can spend it either on books for the class, or simply for their own personal reading.

Gift certificates for Scholar's Choice would be good too if you live near one.

As a teacher, these are my favs.(Along with the Tim's) I plan on giving Chapters gift cards to my son's teacher as well.

 

[riu girl]

Home made chocolate chip cookies (about 150 in total between all teachers) , decorated with multi colour mini M&Ms, packaged in dollar store green plastic tubs, wrapped in Christmas ribbon . Attached to the ribbon is a small plush Christmas stuffed animal.

Just did this tonight for a total of 7 teachers, librarian, teachers assistants.

 

[SandraC]

1. Our school library has a "book dedication" system. We can donate money to the library and the librarian buys a book and pastes a sticker inside the cover "dedicating" the book to a teacher of your choice.

2. Candles

3. Chocolates

4. Teas

 

[mytwotinks]

I gave Christmas scented Yankee candles and I had my dd's (preK and 3rd) take them in when we got back from Thanksgiving break. I thought that they could use them during the holiday season. I know my preK teacher likes them because I see them in her house when I drop dd off. I was just kinda hoping the 3rd grade teacher would like it. I made sure and told them that if they didn't like the scent they could switch them at the store. I read on another post (after I gave them) that teachers don't like getting candles though, so maybe I goofed.

 

[PopArtGal]

I gave Christmas scented Yankee candles

I love candle. (I'm a high school art teacher). I always have a candle in my office. I use homesense or yankee The smell also goes to my classroom and my students love it.

It's my first year of teaching (well I started in March last year) and I know I'd love to receive either a candle, or anything coffee related.

Unfortunetly... high school teachers rarely receive gifts hehehe

Only my elementary students did give me gifts once

 

[mickey65]

The most rewarding part for me, is not the gift itself. It is the excitment of the student when they bring it in to you. They are just so proud and excited. It is the sparkle in their eyes when they show you that they wrote on the card all by themselves. These I save in my special teacher box. Even the ones that do not come with a 'store bought' gift take time and make me things at the art centre (I teach JK/SK). I always tell the kids not to buy me anything to just give me a smile.
One year I had a student print me a letter that said how much she loved me. She did all the printing herself and I know it must of taken a long time for her to do it. It is thoughtful things like that that I like to get.
I also one year got an ornament that the student had made at home. It was a star that he had decorated and put a picutre of himself in the centre. He put his name and date on the back, and an "I love you Miss B' I think of him every year when I put that ornament on the tree.

 

[mytwotinks]

I gave Christmas scented Yankee candles

I love candle. (I'm a high school art teacher). I always have a candle in my office. I use homesense or yankee The smell also goes to my classroom and my students love it.

It's my first year of teaching (well I started in March last year) and I know I'd love to receive either a candle, or anything coffee related.

Unfortunetly... high school teachers rarely receive gifts hehehe

Only my elementary students did give me gifts once

Thanks! Good to know, and when my kids are in high school I will remember to have them get something for their teachers! High school teachers probably need the boost more than anybody else I know!

 

[Miandrea]

As I teacher, I love handmade cards! Nothing is more sweet than reading a poem written by a student (the spelling mistakes are the cutest!). When kids insist on getting presents, I always ask for school supplies (stickers, pencils, markers) - I am always buying that kind of stuff!

Good luck with your shopping!

 

[madonna31]

How about 2 and 1/2 chicken McNuggets with dipping sauce?

 

[Miandrea]

How about 2 and 1/2 chicken McNuggets with dipping sauce?

That is too funny!

 

[bambigirl88]

Working with primary students, I love to get stickers or stamp pads and stamps. How many times does a teacher spend their own money to get class supplies (too many to count) so, for an inexpensive "thank you", why not go to the dollar store and get a few packs of stickers or rubber stamps? We always use them

 

[Disney_Mama]

I usually buy festive note pads and pencils. Something that you can use in the classroom.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

My guys are giving a $25 Chapters gift card packaged in a mug of snowman soup with an ornament they have made and a card they have added a note to.

My gr 1 is also going through alot of anxiety at drop off and we've been recieving help from the principal and VP in the mornings so they will get a snowman soup mug with timmies GC and a note.

My dh and the boys usually makes something out of wood but with moving this year he just didn't have time - they have done welcome key shelves, calendar frames and lots of other neat items.