Plan ahead for Christmas teacher gifts when buying school supplies...

[mrsklamc]

If you buy extras of the super cheap supplies this time of year you can put them in a nice gift basket for the teacher at Christmas...It's likely she needs them more than a nice coffee mug with an apple that says #1 teacher.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

This is a really good idea! Thanks! With 3 kids in school this year (!) I'll need all the help I can get with gifts! I am going to stock up with this in mind!

 

[dpratt68]

As a teacher I can tell you how this gift will be greatly appreciated. By December everything is running low and I am usually out replacing supplies that my school has run out of. GREAT idea!

 

[Boston Tea Party]

As a teacher I can tell you how this gift will be greatly appreciated. By December everything is running low and I am usually out replacing supplies that my school has run out of. GREAT idea!

Agreed! I especially love copy paper!

 

[luckyBelle]

Great idea! As a teacher, I receive many very appreciated gifts at the holiday times, but often I wish I could just ask for supplies that I end up paying for myself: copy paper, dry erase markers, supplies for science experiments, etc. Keep it simple and practical!

 

[tmbowers]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

 

[maciec]

Fantastic idea!!! I am definitely going to do this.

 

[Swimalie]

My son started kindergarten last year and once school started and all the supplies went on clearance, I stocked up. I even had enough left over for this year's supply list. I gave home made bread at Christmas but for end-of-the-year, I donated to the gift cards and gave each teacher a basket of supplies. All were bought on sale and/or clearance.

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

I've done this the last couple of years for my children's teachers. I already have their teachers gifts for Christmas. Target's Dollar Spot had a whole bunch of stuff for teachers....clips, granding books, certificates, sticky notes, ect.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

We also hit Target when they mark the school supplies 75% off to pick up mid-year replenishments for DS's class. We don't give them as teacher gifts, but we do drop them off just before Christmas break.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

YAY for supportive parents!

 

[sharlon]

I did this last year. I was also able to get those wonderful canvas tote bags on sale from Land's End, so I filled each up with supplies and voila! The teachers (from kindergarten level up to 8th grade) loved them!

 

[DVCBELLE]

What a great idea!! I just bought Vera Bradley slim totes last week for $12.99 each for Christmas gifts - so now I will fill them with school supplies and have a great gift!!

 

[mafibisha]

If you buy extras of the super cheap supplies this time of year you can put them in a nice gift basket for the teacher at Christmas...It's likely she needs them more than a nice coffee mug with an apple that says #1 teacher.

This is a great idea!! Thank you!!
And since learning here from so many teachers that (most/ many) teachers won't eat anything given as gifts (which I now totally get and respect) this is an even better idea.

 

[QVCshopper]

I like this idea. What do teachers need most? My kids are going into K and 1st. I'm guessing paper ream, dry erase markers, stickers? Thanks!

 

[Swimalie]

I like this idea. What do teachers need most? My kids are going into K and 1st. I'm guessing paper ream, dry erase markers, stickers? Thanks!

Stickers, dry erase markers (most here prefer for low odor), small plastic cups, hand sanitizer were all popular requests last year when my son was in kindergarten.

Paper was not requested and they had a copy room full of it (it was also the volunteer room and I spent a lot of time in there making copies).

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Paper was not requested and they had a copy room full of it (it was also the volunteer room and I spent a lot of time in there making copies).

Definitely depends on the school!! I'd ask if that's a need, because if it is, it's a HUGE one!! I've worked at several schools in our district. About half of them provide one ream of paper per teacher, and after s/he uses it, it has to be replaced out of the teacher's pocket. Fortunately at my current school and DS's school, we have incredible PTAs who are able to raise tons of money and help provide necessities.

 

[torinsmom]

I teach preK/K and the things we tend to run out of are markers, glue sticks and clorox wipes(we wipe the tables with these every day and it really seems to help with the sickies). I also pick up extras for our church's Operation Christmas Child boxes. The boxes are stuffed full of hygeine and fun items and distribute around the world to kids in need.

 

[IDoDis]

Okay, I'm going to play devil's advocate here (flame suit on). While I'd appreciate supplies for my classroom, I'd say to give them at the beginning of the year or when supplies run low because you want to help, but save gift-giving time for something different like a gift card so the teacher can go out to dinner or to a movie or have a few coffees at Starbucks.

Giving someone paper for Christmas is like giving a dishtowel to a maid. It's all work related, but the teacher is a person outside of the classroom, too. Teachers need to be appreciated at a more personal level when one gives a gift. I do agree that there's a lot teachers receive that they don't need (like coffee mugs), but I don't think any teacher would snub their nose at getting a gift card to see a movie or a gift card for a couple of smoothies or a cup of hot java. I'd feel more appreciated with something like that vs a ream of paper and some pencils.

 

[mrsklamc]

Interesting...I wouldn't have thought of it that way, since so many teachers end up purchasing supplies out of pocket. I've posted this periodically here on the DIS and you're the first teacher who has mentioned not liking the idea!

Although I can certainly relate- The appreciation gift of choice around here is a Starbucks gift card which does nothing for me at all.