Teacher gift

[goNDmay9]

My Mom is a teacher and I highly agree with the PP and say that all gifts are appreciated but the one that means the most is a personal note.

That reddit post was spot on! When it is only one - it seems cute - but you should see my parent's house at the end of the year. Plants, flowers, candles, little statue thingies, homemade crafts and lotions galore!! And my Mom won't donate or get rid of any of it because a student gave it to her.

So I am sure my Dad would highly agree on the gift cards too!! lol.

 

[whoopsiedoodle]

We just did a gift for Teacher Appreciation week and my DD knew her teacher drank tea every day. So I called the other teachers (she goes to a small private kindergarten) and asked about her teachers favorite tea and special treats. I ended up getting her cinnamon tea, Dove milk chocolate and beautiful pink flowered plant and a $25 Target gift card. Then I put it all in a cheap large plastic bowl with a card from me expressing how truly happy I am with DD's experience.

 

[CT Yankee]

That's what we always give...or even just cash. I know some people consider cash a tacky gift but the teachers have never complained!

 

[Jcjmommy]

We gave my 3rd graders teacher and cut and tie blanket with the students handprints on it. Then had her name embrodered on it. It helps that the Art teacher is one of my best friends. For my 5th graders teacher we did a thumbprint project that I found on pintrest.

Last year I did Barnes and Nobles gift cards for the teachers. They loved them.

 

[Arkum]

I got a restaurant gift card that was attached with tulle wrapped around a bag of chips and a tag that read, "you're all that and a bag of chips". It was a really cute way to present the gift card.

 

[SEA333]

Every year, I sit down and write a letter to my kids' teachers thanking them for what they have done for my child that year. I ask my kids what they loved best about their classroom and their teacher and put that in the letter. I thank them for times they have gone above and beyond...we moved when DS14 had already started 4th grade and his new teacher was phenomenal in including him in the class and getting him up to speed, or DD's 2nd grade teacher noticed that she was having a hard time with math and took her aside to help her one week, or DS8's teacher this year was so proud that he finished his first chapter book and took the time to give him a "positive office referral" to go the principal so DS could be recognized and encouraged. (I'm already starting to cry!! Lol) I always tell them that they are heros to our family, and the experiences my kids had with them during the year will add to to their academic foundation that will help them continue to succeed next year and into the future.

I make two copies...one for the teacher and one for their principal for Ms. Teacher's file. I add a gift card, and give it to the teachers with flowers.

I make every one of them cry lol, and they all tell me that the letter is the best gift they have ever gotten. It's not my goal, my goal is for them to know how much our family appreciates them, but it is a nice side bonus

 

[msmama]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but...

I'm good with Target cards and a small plant for female teachers (aide and OT, too) with a note that says, "Thanks for Helping me Grow!" along with a personal letter from my son.

I'm stumped on our bus driver though. Do older (retired) men like Target? What's a good GC for a grandpa aged bus driver? Suggestions?

(My son isn't the easiest and the bus driver has been great with him so I do want to recognize him in some way).

 

[mandy14]

We give movie gift cards. I also have my kids write a thank you note making sure they say what they liked for the school year.

 

[Arkansan]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but... I'm good with Target cards and a small plant for female teachers (aide and OT, too) with a note that says, "Thanks for Helping me Grow!" along with a personal letter from my son. I'm stumped on our bus driver though. Do older (retired) men like Target? What's a good GC for a grandpa aged bus driver? Suggestions? (My son isn't the easiest and the bus driver has been great with him so I do want to recognize him in some way).

I think Target is fine for an older gentleman. My DFather is retired, but drives a school bus and I know he uses the Target pharmacy. He has received gifts of jarred Archer Farms snacks (peanuts, trail mix, etc) that he also enjoyed.

I like to give my kids' bus driver(s) gift cards to Sheetz or Wawa. These are gas stations/convenience stores that also have good food! They both have touch screen ordering for custom-made subs, salads, coffee, etc. I figure if they don't eat the food there, they can always run in for some milk or bread or use it towards gas for their car. I give $10-15, but sometimes more. Next year, all three of my kids will be on the same bus so I will likely give a little more. They have really nice bus drivers who I know don't make a lot of money and have lousy hours and working conditions. (See my DFather above)

 

[Arkansan]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but... I'm good with Target cards and a small plant for female teachers (aide and OT, too) with a note that says, "Thanks for Helping me Grow!" along with a personal letter from my son. I'm stumped on our bus driver though. Do older (retired) men like Target? What's a good GC for a grandpa aged bus driver? Suggestions? (My son isn't the easiest and the bus driver has been great with him so I do want to recognize him in some way).

I think Target GC are fine for older gentlemen. My DFather is retired and drives a school bus. I know he uses the Target pharmacy and buys other things there. He has also received jarred snacks (peanuts, trail mix) as gifts and I know he liked them.

I like to get my kids' bus driver(s) GC to Sheetz or Wawa. They are gas stations/convenience stores that also have good fast food. Both have touch-screen ordering for custom-made subs, salads, specialty coffee, etc. if the driver doesn't eat the food there, I figure they can use the convenience store for milk or bread or purchase gas for their car. I usually give $10-15. Next year, all three of my kids will ride the same bus so I will likely give a little more. They have sweet bus drivers and I know they don't make a lot of money and they have lousy hours and working conditions (see DFather above)

 

[Arkansan]

Sorry. Double post. Weird.

 

[crisi]

Also Amazon gift cards and Barnes and Noble. A lot of teachers buy books for their classrooms - especially elementary school teachers. And every year some of those books don't come back. An Amazon gift card is VERY flexible - the teacher can use it for him or herself, or buy plenty of things for the classroom.

Many schools have ethics rules about cash value if its NOT for the classroom. A gift certificate that can be used for the classroom takes that out of the equation.