Teacher holiday gifts

[BoogasMom]

We are giving my son's teachers the following: A mixing bowl with a spatula, a pot holder, a dish towel, a store-bought sugar cookie mix, a $5 GC to walmart, and a homemade Christmas ornament with each son's picture in it all contained in the mixing bowl and shrink wrapped with a homemade card from the boys as well as a note of thanks from DH and I. Our son's teachers are incredibly awesome this year and I can't wait to thank them for the work they have done with my boys thus far this year.

 

[Ephany]

We usually do movie passes or a giftcard to Target/Walmart/Barnes & Noble. This is DD's teacher's first year so I know she needs classroom supplies. I've also been placing all of DD's scholastic book orders online b/c her teacher gets a free book if I do it that way rather than returning the order and check to the classroom.

 

[meliss8599]

Hi! 1st grade teacher chiming in

I suggest $5.00 gift cards to Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts, or some similar place.

Please do not get any calendars, ornaments, picture frames, candles, etc.(all that stuff ends up in my annual spring yard sale). I would MUCH RATHER have a $5.00gc rather than a $20.00 candle or ornament.

The $5.00 gift card will be put to use & greatly appreciated.

Ditto! I would SO much rather have a $5 gift card than a $5 trinket. Teachers are hurting financially, too so that $5 is GREATLY appreciated. And THANK YOU for thinking about us at Christmas time!

 

[momof5boys]

I donate money to Make a Wish in the teacher's name. I just go online to their site and you can print out a certificate that states a donation was made in their name. The certificates have different holiday themes. I just tuck the certificate into a Christmas card! You can donate any amount, it does not specify on the card how much was donated. I have always gotten wonderful feedback from these gifts.

 

[QVCshopper]

Here's a tip, if you can find them. This year, Target has "gift coins" (ie, gift cards)--$5 coins sold as a pack of 5. They donate $2 to Saint Judes Childrens Hospital whenever a pack is sold. My DD has 2 teachers as well as 3 special ed helpers. I'm giving the teachers a coin along with a carmel apple/favorite candy and the therapists are getting a coin. All will get a card signed by DD too.

My DH will also give coins to his employees as well as treat them to a nice lunch. I thought this was a good way to go.

 

[crazelion]

I am teacher to. I would love gift cards instead of trinkets. Just remember everyone does not like coffee. So Starbucks is out for some people. My trinkets end up as presents to other people. LOL

 

[dthogue]

I donate money to Make a Wish in the teacher's name. I just go online to their site and you can print out a certificate that states a donation was made in their name. The certificates have different holiday themes. I just tuck the certificate into a Christmas card! You can donate any amount, it does not specify on the card how much was donated. I have always gotten wonderful feedback from these gifts.

This is a fabulous idea - thank you so much for sharing - we have several male teachers to buy for and I didn't know what to do, but this would be perfect!!!!

Tammy

 

[dthogue]

I am not a teacher, but was a Girl Scout leader - I would have to agree that a $5.00 gift certificate is a great idea. I can't tell you how many mugs, candles, lotion sets, dishtowel/pot holder sets, etc that I received over the years. While the gift was greatly appreciated, they went mostly unused and ended up in the yard sale box. Whatever you decide, please have your child take the time to write a special note to the teacher - they will appreicate that the most.

This year for my DD's teachers I was planning on giving a $5.00 Giant Food Store or Walmart Gift Card with a Disney reusable shopping bag. Although I'm going to check on the Make A Wish Donation listed above.

Tammy

 

[spaceacewannabe]

teacher here

a note saying thank you is probably the best gift I ever got.

I do spend a little bit on my classroom every time I go to Walmart; stickers, snacks, post-its, kleenex, you name it! A small gift card to Walmart or anywhere, really is much appreciated, and helps offset the $ I put into my classroom a little.

Thanks for thinking of your childrens' teachers!!

All around agreed!
Also, don't feel like you need to send a little something with the gift card other than a note...as teachers, we usually know when money is tight or when a parent is out of work. I remember a particular student who gave me traditional teacher stuff (I think lotion and bath stuff) that I knew she really shouldn't have been spending money on and that I wouldn't use---and while it was nice to be thought of, I also felt really bad that she'd spent on me like that, kwim?

 

[daisyduck123]

I donate money to Make a Wish in the teacher's name. I just go online to their site and you can print out a certificate that states a donation was made in their name. The certificates have different holiday themes. I just tuck the certificate into a Christmas card! You can donate any amount, it does not specify on the card how much was donated. I have always gotten wonderful feedback from these gifts.

I think that's great that you want to donate to such a worthy cause, but I would never do that AS a teacher's gift. IMO, that is not really a gift. Sure, you did something that MADE YOU FEEL GOOD...you donated money. But to do it in place of a teacher's gift...that's not right IMO. Why not just give the teacher $5.00 cash, & let him/her decide what they want to do with it?

Calling that the teacher's gift though...that's just wrong IMO.

 

[cjnix29]

What about homemade cards? I was thinking of making packages of 10 or so cards, assorted, thank you, birthday, holiday, etc. Everyone can use cards, right? What do the teachers think of this idea? I actually was going to do this for all the "extra" teachers...not my child's homeroom teacher. Is it good, or will it go in the "regift" or at the bottom of the drawer?

 

[daisyduck123]

What about homemade cards? I was thinking of making packages of 10 or so cards, assorted, thank you, birthday, holiday, etc. Everyone can use cards, right? What do the teachers think of this idea? I actually was going to do this for all the "extra" teachers...not my child's homeroom teacher. Is it good, or will it go in the "regift" or at the bottom of the drawer?

Hi! 1st grade teacher here

I've been teaching 20 years. I absolutely don't have a need for anymore cards. I could've used them during my 1st few years of teaching though.

I don't even really write cards out anymore. With a computer & printer now in my classroom, I print out any notes/cards to parents. Last year, I did have a mom give me two handmade cards (she is a "Stampin' Up" lady) & I still have those stashed in a drawer somewhere.

I honestly, would get more use out of small gift card, even $5.00.

 

[okeydokey]

We make cinnamon pancake mix and wrap it up in a square of fabric and add a bottle gourmet fruit syrup for teachers. All the extras (music, PE, library etc get the pancake mix too) We have also made baked goods.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Here's a tip, if you can find them. This year, Target has "gift coins" (ie, gift cards)--$5 coins sold as a pack of 5. They donate $2 to Saint Judes Childrens Hospital whenever a pack is sold. My DD has 2 teachers as well as 3 special ed helpers. I'm giving the teachers a coin along with a carmel apple/favorite candy and the therapists are getting a coin. All will get a card signed by DD too.

My DH will also give coins to his employees as well as treat them to a nice lunch. I thought this was a good way to go.

Thanks for the info I am doing a pot holder, spatula, cookie cutter and BettyCrocker Cookie Mix and was going to add a $5 GC to each one but this coin sounds like just the ticket. $5 for the teacher and $2 to Saint Judes nothing better in my book.

Where do I find them in the store?

 

[DisMomme]

The best gift I ever recieved was a very nice heart-felt note written by a parent. I still have it and cry whenever I read it. I try to read it once in a while when things get me down to remind myself that everything I do really does make a difference.

I also enjoy a DD gift Cert. The kids joke about my extra large coffee I have every day.

As a parent, I usually donate books to the library (either the classroom or school library depending on how new the teacher is and if she needs to build up her library). A nice gift plate sticker is affixed to the inside cover of the book saying it was donated by us, for which teacher and the year.

Edited to say: If you do make a food item or a mix, please include the ingredients. I can't tell you how many of these wonderful items do not get eaten because of allergies or other food intolerances. If someone doesn't know whats in the mix it's safer to not eat it.

 

[kymom99]

In my area Dollar Tree has gift cards. Those would make a great gift, because I frequently buy things for my treasure chest for my classroom from the dollar store.

Gift cards are great, but I also like practical things such as pens and note pads.

This year I bought my son's 3 teachers each a set of notepads. I will include a gift card for his homeroom teacher. His bus driver will also get a gift card.

 

[richmond282]

One of my favorite gifts received last year was a gift card to our local movie theater for $11 (the exact cost of 2 matinee tickets!), a bag of popcorn, and some candy.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

My DD has 3 teachers and we are putting together Movie Night Packs for them. We got the reusable plastic popcorn boxes from target (2 each) we are adding a popcorn and a movie candy to each and one will have a $10 gift card to Hollywood video and the other plastic box will have a pizza gift card to papa murphys pizza. I thought it was kind of fun, they can get a pizza, 2 movies and snacks for a fun night. It is $25 a piece.

 

[mamalle]

I think Im going to give $10 GC to target per teacher this year. mine have team teachers this year so that is 4 of them. Plus my son's speech teacher. Im going to also make some peppermint/chocolate bark for each of them.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I think that's great that you want to donate to such a worthy cause, but I would never do that AS a teacher's gift. IMO, that is not really a gift. Sure, you did something that MADE YOU FEEL GOOD...you donated money. But to do it in place of a teacher's gift...that's not right IMO. Why not just give the teacher $5.00 cash, & let him/her decide what they want to do with it?

Calling that the teacher's gift though...that's just wrong IMO.

I work in a childcare center and would love it if someone made a donation to a charity instead of giving me a gift.