School Bus Driver Gift

[trinchick]

We've bumped into DD's bus driver at a local greasy spoon a couple of times. I think he often goes there for breakfast between the morning and afternoon shifts. So we get him a GC for there for Christmas and end of year. We usually do $25.

I think bus drivers are often overlooked, and they provide an important safety role for our kids - not just because they are driving but because (in our district) they are the only adults on the bus and have to address anything they see going on. It's a thankless job.

 

[shortbun]

Give him the mug with a few cookies stacked in it. He'll be thrilled! I was a bus driver for several years and any gift is greatly appreciated. Even just a card with a heartfelt note would be a good thing.

 

[csharpwv]

How about a heated vehicle seat pad?!

I saw that you live around Chicago - it definitely gets cold there!

I've seen them for around at CVS and Walgreens for around $15-$25

They also make ones that you can put in the microwave.

My dad worked midnight shift in the coalmines until he retired, and he LOVED that seat heater - he would microwave it before he left home, and then again at work in the morning for his drive home.

 

[kimmyann]

My DH is a school bus driver. Honestly, he will like anything you give him. They often get overlooked so he gets excited when anyone remembers him or thanks him.

I've been a school bus driver for 7 years & ITA. Really, we are often overlooked & appreciate every gift, whether it be a gift card or even just a regular card.

 

[Neelloc]

Every year we give dd's bus driver a handwritten thank you for keeping our dd safe and a $25 gift card to Target. The drivers have so much responsibility and don't make very much, so they are one of the "school" gifts where we give a little more.

As a pp said, I think most drivers would appreciate any gift to show you are thinking of them.

I agree. Our bus driver is amazing so at Christmas my girls sign a card for him and he gets a Tim Horton's gift card in it. Also, at the end of the year, they draw him a picture and write a note and we give him a gift card.

 

[pannm]

My FIL is a bus driver. It really depends on where you live!
He appreciates almost any gift, but honestly it's not allowed in his school system to do 'home made' anything. A lot of schools are switching over to that. AND, he said before that many home made gifts would sadly just be thrown, because you never know! One year (about 3 years back) a bus driver and bus assistant (ride along person) both got cookies from someone and that was the ONLY thing both of them ate that was the same. They both got food poisoning and so did that kids teacher (who also got the same cookie batch)...That is a big reason why they've really switched over to "ABSOLUTELY NOTHING homemade."
Really, any packaged goodies or a gift card is the best. You'd be suprized at how many mugs teachers and bus drivers get. My FIL has started to sell them at our rummage sale every year, because he's gotten at least 5 a year.

A lot of these drivers get done with work when school starts and they'd love to have a small gift card to go out for coffee and a doughnut. OR, they'd love a subway or McDonalds/burger king type of card.

It would be sad to put all of that work into home made goodies and the driver just having to throw them- if the driver doesn't know you personally, they may not trust to eat home made goodies.

 

[caribear]

Just went out today and bought the bus driver a $20 Target GC. She is really great with the kids....I have her cell phone number and she has mine.....she will pull off to the side of the road and wait for me if I am not at the bus stop to get the kids on time or if she is early....she will not let the kids off the bus by themselves. I really appreciate all that she does and wish I could afford to do a little more for her!

 

[MinnieGi]

Going out tomorrow to get my kids bus drivers gift cards to Dunkin. This is our usual gift to them and they are always very gracious when the cards are given. We appreciate our bus drivers so much - my DD's middle school driver is so reliable. He has not missed one day and is always punctual to the minute of stated bus time pick-up, which considering the bus time of 6:34 am is amazing!!

 

[Lizzybean]

Hmmm I know the rules in school are no food items to celebrate birthdays due to allergies so that's something to think about...

I think a nice card from my daughter and the gift card in a cute presentation seems to be the way to go. Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions!

 

[NYCDiane]

I'm running out of time and need a gift for DD5's bus driver. He is the sweetest gentleman and keeps my daughter (as well as 30? other 5 y/os) safe each day.

I never see him with coffee or soda but I know he's a Chicago Bears fan. I was thinking a Bears mug w/ a dunkin Donuts gift card but I I'm not sold on the idea. Thoughts??

Awesome idea!!!!

 

[mward73]

I took DS to Kohls and he picked out a scarf and gloves for his bus driver. Figured it gets chilly up there when the door is open and closing all winter. He gave it to her last week. Haven't seen her wearing the gloves yet (maybe she won't, who knows), but she wears the scarf almost every day. She's the nicest lady and is very good with him (he's a small 1st grader who just turned 6 in Sep so one of the younger kids).

End of year, he'll write her a note and give her a gc.

Our school PTO also gives the bus drivers gifts when they do teacher appreciation events. When they have breakfast for the teachers, they always make bag breakfasts for the bus drivers, so they're included in a lot of activities throughout the year.