Post CREATIVE TEACHER GIFT IDEAS here!

[PrincessTigerLily]

I totally want to stay away from the whole "#1 Teacher" mug, so what are some of your ideas for great and APPRECIATED end-of-year teacher gifts?

1. Last year I took a digital picture of each student and created a photo book online. I asked each student what their favorite thing about kindergarten was and what they liked best about their teacher. Turned out so very cute and the teacher loved it!

2. Had daughter decorate a flower pot with lavendar colored paints, you could even use a stencil, placed a baggie tied with lavendar ribbon inside, and included a packet of "forget me not" seeds. Also a handmade card thanking teacher.

Any teachers out there? What kind of gift cards do you like best? Do you like teacher store gift cards, or some to use for your personal time (Barnes & Noble, salon, restaurant, etc.)?

 

[meanmom121]

I've gotten very good responses when I give them personalized note cards - I usually order from colorful image as they are in expensive.
I put them in a small desk sized basket, with pens note pads and a starfish or pretty seashell

 

[cah5525]

we have always given gift cards...now, not only are the teachers budgets tight, so are ours.
give them your time. volunteer to do a class project with the kids.
recruit a couple other mothers - the teacher gets a break - while the class does something for the teacher.

 

[Micka Mouse]

Thank you cards are a great gift! I never remember to purchase them myself, so when I receive them from a student, I stash them in my desk and use them as needed.

Last year I received a great gift. My room moms asked each student to make a card, and asked their parents to donate a few dollars. They put it all together and I received a $75 American Express gift card! Each student made a card, so the gift card was from everyone, regardless of who donated money. No one was left out, and nobody's feelings were hurt !!!

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! 1st grade teacher here

I love gift cards..preferably ones that I can use for something I like (bookstore, Target, etc), rather than a gift card to a teacher-supply store. At the end of the school year, I'm ready for a little "me time", rather than running off to purchase school supplies.

The amount doesn't even have to be large...I'd honestly much rather have a $5.00 gift card than $20.00 worth of flowers, lotion, or candles.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Loving all these responses! Thank you one and all! Love hearing directly from teachers as well! Thank you!

 

[GoinToDisney]

I taught first grade before I had my daughter and I loved gift cards that pretty much anyone could use. Book stores were OK, but I really liked target or even visa, american express, etc.. That is what I tend to do for my daughter's teachers. A gift card and then we made a bracelet out of materials we already had at home to add a personal touch.

I will tell you that I have salon gift cards and restaurant gift cards that I still have not used from when I was teaching... one restaurant gift card I have is from 2001. We just don't eat out very often. I really need to remember to use it one day!

I got a lot of stationary sets, candles, bath and body wash (I'm allergic to that stuff unfortunately) etc., which I appreciated the thought, but I would appreciate a handmade card from the student just as much. I still have a yearbook from some of my classes and it's so much fun to read what they liked about school/me, so I am doing that for my daughter's teacher this year.

 

[PHXscuba]

My favorite gift to give that's easy and a little different is a Chinese takeout box filled with fortune cookies and a casual-Chinese gift card (like Panda Express or Pei Wei). The tag on the outside says "I'm fortunate to have you as a teacher." It's great because it's one-size-fits-many and dresses up the gift card at low cost.

PHXscuba

 

[princesscate]

I'm a pre-k teacher and i also appreciate visa or amex gift cards . . . i also have gotten a handmade book with each child's face and a handdrawn picture of the child and me in school . . .
I have also gotten personalized note pads for a teacher, that i really loved too!
and i agree, i'd rather have a 5.00 gift card than 20.00 worth of candles or lotions