Teacher & Bus Driver Gifts?

[daystar91]

I need idea's for Christmas gifts for Teacher's and bus drivers?

 

[jen73]

we always give movie theater gift cards, who doesn't like to see a movie? I will buy a 2 pack of tickets from our Costco ($20). Stick them in a xmas card and easy peasy

 

[jmb912]

Movies cards sounds great!

My kids are teenagers and have 7 teachers each so I obviously can't afford a gift for all of them. I let them pick their favorite two or three and we've been doing $10 Panera giftcards! The teachers are always excited and especially in the older grades they don't get many gifts anymore!

 

[kymom99]

My son has been lucky enough to have the same bus driver for 10 years! Every year I give him a gift card so he can treat himself to lunch between runs. Places like Bob Evans and Skyline chili.

I always gave teachers gift cards too. When my son had more than one, I gave the homeroom teacher the gift card and the others some note pads, etc.

 

[holden]

The neighbors on my circle all chip in and get the bus driver a gift card to Panera ($10/each family). For teachers I usually go with Barnes & Noble.

 

[StitchBuddy]

As a teacher I love gift cards. I teach high school and usually gift cards in the $5-$10 range and really appreciate them.

 

[Mousemom234]

DH is a bus driver, and he usually gets several gift cards as holiday and end of school year gifts.
He really appreciates the ones for fast-service places,
where he can take a lunch break between the morning take-in and afternoon go-home runs.
Doesn't have to be a lot - even $2 goes a long ways at McD's or Dunkin's.

He's also gotten food gifts (which I rarely see, just hear about ); cookies, cookie mix in a jar, mini quick bread loaves, fudge...
I think his favorite gift is the smile and thanks that comes with them, though

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! 2nd grade teacher (24 years now) chiming in....

you can't go wrong with gift cards....even ones for $5 (I'd rather have a $5 Starbuck's card than $30 worth of ornaments, picture frames, lotions, calendars, coffee mugs, or apple-themed items. HONESTLY).

 

[midwestdee]

My daughter is a teacher - she doesn't expect but certainly always appreciates a small gift card (Starbucks, McDonalds, Panera, etc....). Anytime a family just can't give a gift - it is always appreciated if the student gives a note telling the teacher how much he/she is appreciated. Random acts of kindness are priceless.

 

[Nztara]

I just saw another thread on the budget board about a Rite Aid deal for $5 off $25 worth of Dunkin Donuts or Panera gift cards. I think I'm going To get three $10 gift cards to Panera for DS's preschool teachers.

 

[hpfan100]

Another teacher here ( junior high SPED) and love gift cards too. Also I really appreciate it when they bring something in that I collect/ live. For example I drink quite a bit of diet coke so a 12 pack of that would be awesome. Also, cute pencils, post its and cards.

 

[danygirl]

I had one mom bake a pie - awesome!

Parents who chip in for a bigger gift card - awesome! You can spend less that way and if 10 families put in $5 I would get a gift card I could really use!

 

[NewCrew42]

High school special education here teacher. While I do not expect a gift, it is nice when a family thinks of you at Christmas or the end of the year. A sincere note is always appreciated. My favorite little gifts are gift cards. $2 to $5 Sonic or Starbucks makes for a nice treat.

 

[disney1990]

You can't go wrong with Gift Cards.

 

[pigletto]

We make a donation in the teachers name to Unicef. They have several packages in an educational theme (like a certain amount sends textbooks or pencils so children can go to school). They also have a gift card option so the teacher can pick what project the money is donated to. Along with that we do a small gift card to a coffee place. This year I will get my sons teacher a French "Good Job!" stamp because she always writes it in red pen so I don't think she has one.

 

[Ginny Favers]

I use Scrip and get them all $10 gift cards to B&N or Starbucks, then add in a few little pocket packs of hand sanitizer.

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I bought $3.00 bags of Lindt chocolates this week at CVS (and used a $1.00 coupon on each after doing a brief survey on Facebook), which qualify towards the $10.00 gift card with $30.00 purchase. I made 3 separate transactions (it was supposed to be one card per household, but I received 3 no problem), so received 3 x $10.00 AmEx gift cards - the most versatile card. I am going to use those to give as gifts along with the bags of Lindt chocolates with a nice card. Dd's school does big group gifts for subject teachers (middle school), but I still have to get for the swim coach, band leader, private tutors and my fitness instructors.

 

[ninecrayons]

Another teacher weighing in. Middle school, where I'm 1 of 6 teachers. I definitely don't expect anything, and definitely not something from every child.

I think DaisyDuck123 and Midwestdee really put it best.

I'd totally rather have a small giftcard than something apple themed or things that irritate my allergies. Though really, more than anything, I'd love a thoughtful note from my students. While getting Starbucks is nice, I still keep a goodbye letter from a former student in a frame, on my desk.

Also, Raise.com has gift cards that people are reselling, on discount. I've gotten some great deals there. $100 Starbucks card for $75.