Question re. Christmas gifts for teachers

[Nina1]

This is our son's first year of preschool. So, it will be our first time buying Christmas gifts for his teachers. There are four teachers in his classroom and they are very sweet. I have no clue what to buy them, but I want it to be something nice. So, I'm seeking your suggestions. I also need advice on how much to spend. Thanks for your help!

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

I usually get a gift card(Starbucks) and a candle or lotion/soap set from Bath and Body Works(or the like) for each teacher. Have a nice home-made card from your child and place it in a cute holiday bag. I have coaches and teachers and scout leaders to buy for, so I try to keep in economical. I know it's kind of generic, but it's something everyone likes and uses. Anything from you and your child will be appreciated

 

[Maybelle]

As a teacher, I would recommend a nice thank you card that is personalized for each teacher thanking them specifically for a way they have helped your child. If you feel a gift is necessary, tuck a $5 Dunkin Donuts gift card (or the like) into the card.

Another idea is to donate some storybooks to the class in each teacher's name.

Honestly, it REALLY is the thought that matters!

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I always buy gift cards to give as teacher gifts. I usually give a gift card (if I am not aware of any special interests or likes the teacher has) to a local restaurant that a lot of our teachers like to go for lunch.

My mother was a teacher and I remember all of the mugs and assorted stuff she would bring home every year. While it was thoughtful of her students to give them, a lot of it ended up on a shelf unused.

 

[ilovejack02]

I am buying DS's 3 teachers 15.00 gift cards to our local grocery , it is about 3 mins from the school . Hopefully they will get them selves a nice bottle of wine or a cpl of steaks as a treat. : )

 

[Ephany]

We usually do a gift card to a local movie theater in an amount that'll cover 2 admissions and popcorn for the teacher and a $20 gift card to Target/Walmart etc.. so they can get stuff for the classroom.

 

[Nina1]

Thanks everyone, for the great ideas!

 

[daisyduck123]

1st grade teacher chiming in here

My favorite: gift cards (no amount is too small).

 

[quentina]

This is our son's first year of preschool. So, it will be our first time buying Christmas gifts for his teachers. There are four teachers in his classroom and they are very sweet. I have no clue what to buy them, but I want it to be something nice. So, I'm seeking your suggestions. I also need advice on how much to spend. Thanks for your help!

For preschool, we always had a classroom representative (mom) who worked with the teachers to determine a class gift. A note would go home, collection taken and the items bought. All items were of classroom value...books etc.

End of year was when teachers were given to individual teachers.

 

[pennymom]

When my boys were in preschool we gave the teachers a larger gift card to a local restaurant so they could enjoy a delivered lunch together one day. When I was teaching I enjoyed handmade cards and/or gift cards the most, especially Dunkin Donuts, Wawa or the movies.

While things from Bath & Body Works, or 'teacher' mugs' or ornaments are a nice thought, most teachers get too many "dust collectors" and many people have definite scents that they use and don't necessarily like the same ones. I always hated giving away a gift, but lost track of the number of candles I gave away over the years, as my cats would probably burn the house down if I used them!

 

[debilovesmickey]

Hi,
I am a kindergarten teacher who has taught for 18 years. I love scented candles, and Bath and Body.. but agree that not every one does!
I now cannot burn scented candles due to a pet.

Gift cards are the way to go-- no amount too small -- and a personal note
means a lot.

Hope this helps!
Debi

 

[MinnieForMe]

I do machine embroidery so I make a set of monogrammed towels and attach a $5.00 gift card. It always goes over well! I've also had many requests for additional towels from those teachers so it must be an appreciated gift!

For my son's male teacher who golfs, I did monogrammed golf towels and a gift card.

 

[csharpwv]

My mom used to buy our teachers really nice ergonomic pens - the type that they can refill and use for years. She did this because one year she overheard a teachers complaining about how much it hurt her hands to grip the smaller pens for the hours it took to grade papers (especially correcting essays etc.)

The pens were $15-$20 each back when we were in school (I graduated high school in 2000)

The friends I have that are teachers like gifts that make their lives easier. For the most part teachers LOVE tote bags - because they are almost always taking things home - bringing them back etc - you could get them the smaller sized LL Bean Tote Bags - and if you do it early enough LL Bean has free embroidery usually starting right after Thanksgiving if I remember correctly.

Just like everyone else has said - it really is the thought that counts!

Most people don't understand just how hard teaching is. Teachers constantly questions whether they are getting through to their students - are they doing all they can - so anything you can do that will affirm their hard work and tireless dedication will surely be deeply appreciated!

Also - one friend of mine that is a teacher at a private school sent home a note with her students a month or so before Christmas that she had created a 'classroom wish list' at Wal-Mart or Target (I can't remember) for her classroom - and if parents wanted to buy her gifts please shop from the list. All the items were clearly for the classroom - and in the interest of the kids. Some of the items were very inexpensive like general school supplies - while some were in the upper price range (DVD player, Digital Camera, laptop, Data Projector etc etc) and believe it or not the parents pulled together and shopped the list till their was nothing left to buy. Being a private school the contributions were tax deductible (for purchases like the data projector and other higher $$$ items) But I thought that was a great way to not only affirm the teacher - but also to serve the students - not just from that year and in following years as well.

It's great to see parents come together for the good of education!

 

[tig_536]

I too am a preschool teacher. I love receiving gift cards. And no amout is too small. I love them especially to Target or Walmart. I can get anything there (even Starbucks if I want it. Remember, not all teachers like Starbucks.) I have been a teacher for 10+ years and I can only keep so many decorations, coffee mugs, candles, tote bags...

 

[reginaastralis]

While things from Bath & Body Works, or 'teacher' mugs' or ornaments are a nice thought, most teachers get too many "dust collectors" and many people have definite scents that they use and don't necessarily like the same ones. I always hated giving away a gift, but lost track of the number of candles I gave away over the years, as my cats would probably burn the house down if I used them!

This cracked me up ... my mom is a teacher, and each year she gives me all the scented soap/lotion she gets. She is a dial soap user ... and each year she gets enough scented soap to last me a good 6 months. Right around the time for end of the year gifts, when she restocks me for the next 6 months. Even though my mom isn't personally using these gifts, she's finding a home in her broke daughter for them.

I'll be having my daughter draw her teacher a Christmas drawing, I'll write her a note, send in the chocolate covered pretzel rods she told my daughter looked amazing, and a nice Starbucks giftcard (her teacher has a starbucks drink on her desk everyday) ...

 

[mamalle]

this year Im giving the teachers the lands end tote bag with their initial monogrammed on it.. someone posted the $12 bags and it was too good to pass up.

 

[msmama]

Does the class have a "class parent" or anything like that?

Our preschool (I recently found out) does class gifts - so rather than 10 $5-$10 GC's they'll get a $100 GC.

It might be worth looking into to see if your school does something like that.

 

[Bren's Mom]

this year Im giving the teachers the lands end tote bag with their initial monogrammed on it.. someone posted the $12 bags and it was too good to pass up.

I missed that, is the deal still going on?

For preschool we gave all of the teachers/aides/secretary/etc Target gift cards with a mini bottle of Bath and Body Works anti-bac gel and a small box of chocolates.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

We now only do gift cards attached to a small box of candy or other snack.

A teacher at my daughter's old school would sell all of her teacher themed gifts at her yard sale every summer. Nothing like seeing the #1 teacher ornament you bought your child's teacher for a quarter at a yard sale.

Gift Cards are the way to go!

 

[Happiest mommy]

I bought the ant-bac apples from Bath and body works got the idea from here they are perfect and with the codes they came out to $4 each