My favorite gifts are gift cards to any of the following:
Borders
Michael's
Target
A.C. Moore
Barnes & Noble
Those gift cards NEVER get thrown out
Absolutely avoid:
anything apple themed
lotions
candles
picture frames
ornaments
Thank you for a great list! Now would you use the gift card to the places listed for yourself? That's what I'd like - not her spending it on something for the classroom if possible.
As a teacher I just want to second this post. Those are all great suggestions and good ideas for what to avoid!!
I love all gifts from my students but really like the ones that I can actually use.
Agreed! I think giving something the person can/will use is a good idea in any case!
I usually do gift cards. the last couple of years one of the moms has collected money from those who want to donate and its worked out great because most folks do. doesn't matter what they give...people give what they can. but we figure we can give more this way, ya know? last spring we collected a good amount and we were able to give the teacher a coach wristlet (from the outlet, and on sale!) with a couple of gift cards inside. she LOVED it.
I know a couple of the other moms through the PTO so that could be an option for the classroom as well.
I agree with the above posters, and want to add coffee mugs as gifts to avoid. I once gave a kindergarten teacher a huge basket of school supplies - crayons, markers, glue sticks, pencils, craft items - and she really appreciated it, since it was her first year teaching. I also gave her a small gc.
Yeah - no coffee mugs. I'm with you there! I just want to make sure it's something for her that she can use on her. She deserves it!
I always give personal gift cards to local places where they can get coffee before work or maybe dinner on a parent - teacher conference day. Around here they have a Duncan Donuts one block over and a Panera down the street. The gift cards are good for everyone.
My bus driver always smiles when she gets a donut in a bag and a cup of coffee with all the fixens' from me when she's dropping the kids off at 3.
That's a good idea. There's not much close to the school unfortunetly.
Last year, after purchasing Vera Bradley lunch totes for DDs' teachers, a note was sent home asking parents not to purchase Christmas gifts for them. They recommended donating a book to the library instead.
You might want to hold off a bit, or at least buy something you can regift or use yourself.
Denae
I don't plan on buying anything just yet and I'm fairly sure gifts are ok as I recall it being discussed here at work last year. Thanks though - hopefully that doesn't jynx me for this year!
I give a GC to Borders. All of our teachers have small libraries in their classrooms for students to use.
That's a good idea! We don't have one close but do have a Barnes and Noble...
I have to say, though, that the best gift I have ever gotten from a parent was a handwritten thank you not from a parent. It was beautiful and sincere, and it made me feel great. It's not an easy job by any stretch and it was great to know that that parent really appreciated my work and my relationship with her child.
Good luck!
The first week of school I sent in a note because Mrs. J was wonderful despite the fact I cried through pretty much her entire "back to school" open house type event before school started, the first morning I dropped DS5 off (getting teary just sitting here thinking about it!). I never thought it would be this hard to send him off during the day while I'm at work none the less! We've always "chosen" who would be in his life and this was the first time someone else got to make that choice and it was hard but we love her and couldn't have picked anyone better!
Thank you all so much for your suggestions!!! So, as teachers, do you want a gift card to someplace just for you, a place you could get something for you or the classroom or just the classroom? I'm thinking for her but maybe for her or the classroom?? She does include a "wish list" in the weekly newsletter that comes home if they need something in particular and I always make sure to send that in on Monday (it comes home on Friday). I hate that teachers have to purchase their own supplies and things for their classrooms!
Also, thank you to all of the teachers for doing what you do! You're all amazing and will never hear "thank you" enough! Just know that there are parents like me who so appreciate what you do and just can't always communicate how much we appreciate you!
! Do the teachers know they almost got Vera Bradley lunch totes? I would love anything Vera Bradley, and of course, gift cards are always appreciated.
