Teacher Gift Ideas????

[r3ngels]

I am trying to get organized with my Christmas shopping and I was wondering if anyone has any fun teachers gift ideas.


What have you gotten your teachers in the past????

Teachers what are some of your favorite gifts????

Thanks

 

[ItsonlyExperiment626]

We always have our book fair in November and the teachers all have their wish list there, so I usually get them a few books from their list.

Other things I have given teachers are gift certificates to the grocery store (which comes in handy with the holidays), school supply store, book store and movies.

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

I remember awhile back, there was a thread on here bashing teachers about the whole gift thing. It was pretty bad.

My favorite gifts are always the homemade ones like brownies, etc from the older kids. When I taught elementary, I loved getting their decorated ornaments or a cute card that they drew for me.

 

[dis4me]

We always collect a set amount from all students who want to contribute and buy a mall gift certificate or a restaraunt gift card. However I still feel obligated to get something small.
I was a teacher for years and still have millions of ornaments and mugs that I have gotten from kids.

I know a lot of people like the homemade stuff but I always dreaded getting something edible. I never ate it because I didn't know how it was made or if there kitchen was clean.I loved the cards and gifts the kids made me.I would make an album with them for the class to look at through the year.

 

[diskids2]

I usually do a themed basket, not for much money and I like the basket idea beause you can spend as much as you want. For example, in the past, I have done - Hot chocolate Basket, coffee basket, tea basket, chocolate lovers basket, spice basket, baking basket. I can usually tell what the teacher's like by talking to my kids (teachers usually let alittle bit about themselves escape during class, LOL!)

I have done a sewing basket, a stationary basket, candle basket, hand soaps, blockbuster movie basket.

I go to the Christmas Tree Shoppe and get inexpensive baskets or heavy cardboard different shaped boxes (not over $2-$3). Typical cost is $10.

 

[momof1princess]

i've already gotten my DD8's teacher a gift certificate to the local school book store (yes i live in a smallish city and we only have one store where you can purchase school workbooks & such). they have all the specialty stuff the teachers use like room decorations, special stickers, pens, etc, and since teachers here only get a very small allowance each year to supply their rooms, it should be helpful to her (i hope).

 

[Tissa]

I haven't decided this year. I have two boys and they each have a teacher and two aides in the class so it's 6 teachers we have to buy for. One year I made little gift bags with things like the small lotions from bath and body works and candy etc. My mom makes jewlery so last year they all got charm braclets with school related things on them. This year there isn't a lot of money so really need some ideas too. We also buy for their bus drivers and aides so that's 4 more people.

 

[CheshireVal]

I love gift certificates and, I may be in the minority here, but I love Christmas ornaments, too. You can never have too many of those!

No more mugs, though, please!

 

[chager]

When my son attended school (he's homeschooled now) the teachers put together a list of favorites and handed them out to the kids. This included a wish list and what stores they shopped at. It had maybe 6-7 things on it. We got gift certificates to the stores they shopped at. I can't remember exactly how much each was, but I think we got $5 ones. They may have been $10 now that I think of it.
My best friend says gift certificates are the best becuase then she can get what she needs for the classroom. SHe loves the ones to the local teacher store, Meijer, and Walmart. Of course she said GC's to the local restaurants are good too....gotta eat too!!
ALthough she would never say anything to hurt a students feelings, bath and body items are out for her. She has allergies to alot of them. So she ends up giving them to someone else. She is also not big on homemade food items due to allergies and not knowing the conditions where they were made.
If someone really wants to buy her something then she prefers classroom items. Books, supplies, videos (spanish related since she teaches spanish ), tissues, etc. (she has to buy tissues for the room and they get expensive after awhile. In fact she had several items including several boxes of tissues disappear before the school year began this year and had to replace them spending even more becuase the oringinal items she found on sale and had set them back. )
Hmmm, I wonder if my son will get his teacher a present this year.....Maybe should make a list of what I want..lol

 

[Rhongepooh]

I'm a teacher myself and there is no other thing that we like better than food! For the past 6 years I give the same gift and get rave reviews from it and it's pretty cheap. . .

first I make a goodie bag with:
a bag of lays potato chips, a almond joy and a mounds candy bars (I have to make about 10 gifts so I use the fun size bars)
a pack of peter pan peanut butter and cracker nabs
a pack of lifesavers
a 100 grand candy bar
a little debbie 'star' cookie
a few hershey's hugs and kisses

I place these in a ziplock bag and attach it to an old fashioned bottle Coke with ribbon and type up the following poem and attact it also

In this gift you will see
all the things that YOU taught me. . .

there is a Coke because you are like a Coke. . . the real thing

there is a bag of lays potato chips because you taught me that a bit of knowledge is like a bag of lays potato chips just one is never enough

a pack of peter pan crackers because you taught me everyone keeps part of a kid in their heart

a mounds candy bar and a almond joy candy bar because you taught me
Everyone, even teachers, have days when they feel like a nut and days that they don't

A lifesaver because you taught me there are alot of different types of people out there but it only takes 1 person to make a difference and become a life saver

A hershey's candy bar because you taught me
most bad days can be solved with chocolate!

A 100 grand candy bar because you are a GRAND teacher

A few hugs and a few kisses because you taught me the most important gifts you can give are hugs and kisses.


I've also taken real pretty salt and pepper shakers and filled them with bath powder or bubble bath and attached a poem that I can't think of right now. Line the shakers FIRST with a pretty colored celophane and then add the contents and top off with the lid and coloered, curled ribbon. I'll try to remember the poem that I put with it.

Rhonda

 

[mickeysgal]

This is a great thread. Each year I rack my brain trying to come up with gifts that the teachers would love but aren't duplicated over and over (like coffee mugs). Last year, I found hand lotions and soap sets at Marshall's that were relatively cheap, yet beautiful (smell and packaging). I would have loved to receive these as gifts! However, I read somewhere that these type of gifts (bath and body stuff) is deemed "too personal" if you really don't know the person (such as teachers, co-workers, etc.). What do you think? I have the following questions:

1. Are these type of gifts too personal? (I never thought so since some of these gifts are so "gourmet" and not simply a bar of Dial soap!)

2. What is your general budget per gift? (When you have multiple teachers, and several kids in the school system, this can really stretch the budget.)

3. Do you give all the teachers the same gift or would you consider spending more on a nicer gift for your child's special favorite teacher? (Do the teachers compare gifts and would view this being slighted?)

 

[Trish Bessette]

Both my DD's primary teacher gets a $30.00 restaurant gift card. For everyone else (gym, art, music, principal, secretary, lunch staff, librarian, French, bus drivers,etc) they get 4 - 30 minute long distance phone cards with candy all done up in cute bags I do this each year and everyone just loves them. I attach a small note thanking them for all they do and reminding them the holidays is the best time to contact family or friends who are long distance.

I love to spoil the staff at my DD's school. I truly believe they deserve it.

 

[CheshireVal]

1. Are these type of gifts too personal? (I never thought so since some of these gifts are so "gourmet" and not simply a bar of Dial soap!)

I teach older students, so I'd definitely say that if it came from a boy, it would be a little weird. Now, if it came from one of my girls in my homeroom, I guess that would be different!

 

[mickeysgal]

I teach older students, so I'd definitely say that if it came from a boy, it would be a little weird. Now, if it came from one of my girls in my homeroom, I guess that would be different!

I give gifts only to the teachers in grammar school. For my high schooler, we don't do gifts anymore. I guess thats another question...when is the appropriate age to stop giving gifts?

 

[Minnesota!]

What to get my son's teachers? He is in a daycare center - he is 16 months....

I have been thinking about it for MONTHS!! And - he has 3 main teachers, 1 teacher in another class that he (and us) think the world of, and then the director...

 

[ChibiJones]

My best friend says gift certificates are the best becuase then she can get what she needs for the classroom. SHe loves the ones to the local teacher store, Meijer, and Walmart. Of course she said GC's to the local restaurants are good too....gotta eat too!!

My mom is a teacher and likes gift certificates too. I would just add Staples/Office Max to that list. Her school doesn't send out supply lists since many families can't afford it and they want to limit the have/have not distinctions.

Unfortunately for mom, my sister swipes the restaurant & movie theater ones and my dad eats most of the cookies/chocolate.

 

[CheshireVal]

I give gifts only to the teachers in grammar school. For my high schooler, we don't do gifts anymore. I guess thats another question...when is the appropriate age to stop giving gifts?

I work in a junior high, and it's still pretty common for kids to give gifts to all their teachers--- I'd say that at least 50% of the kids bring gifts for at least some of their teachers!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I usually give apple scented candles or gift certificates to starbucks or Barnes and Noble. There's a separate wish list throughout the year for class supplies, so I try to get something that is just for the teacher.

 

[justjulie]

Have you considered a classroom gift - something that everyone can enjoy? My preference is for a literacy basket. I believe in the power of reading (or being read to) and a basket of books is almost always well received.

 

[soccerchick]

I bought my DDs teachers (2) a cute snowman photo/card holder and will put a gift certificate to either Walmart or Target on it. I'll attach a note that says "Get your holiday film developed on us and display your favorite photo here."

I am a hs teacher and there are still a few kids who do presents. They are usually homemade goodies or Starbucks cards.