Teacher Present from the class....ideas?

[woodlandsparty]

I am the room coordinator for my kiddo's classroom. Everyone always pitches in on a gift for each of the teacher's for Christmas. Anybody have any good ideas for a gift???? We usually end up with about $100 per teacher to spend.

We just got done giving her an Amex certificate for her Bday, so I don't want to do a gift certificate again. She's not really the spa type....so certificates for that or bath type baskets.

Help....I have to come up with something soon!

 

[lady9]

Honestly as a teacher, a GC is most appreciated. I put big $$ into my classroom that is not reimbursed by the school. I do it because it is best for my class and helps with my lessons. You might also consider a subscription to a teacher magazine such as "Mailbox" (my favorite) or "Instructor." Make sure you get the one appropriate for her grade. You will have money left over from that so use the rest for a GC to a good restaurant or store. If you have Holcombs, that is a great teacher store. Even though you just did a GC, I think she would appreciate another, just a different type.

 

[makinorlando]

The past three years that I was involved with getting the teacher's gift we did gift certificates. I got the VISA card that can be used anywhere, this way they could use it for classroom, family or even just a special treat for themselves!

 

[jnordan]

I'm the room coordinator for my daughter's preschool class and have been wondering the same thing! We'll have about $120 to spend. Please share all ideas!

 

[rileyroosmom]

Both of my kids room moms are doing a gift card tree. They have set up a table top tree and everyone brings in gift cards. I thought this was a cute idea.

I also like a Visa/Amex gift card. I know in the past, tickets to shows were given or an expensive restaurant gift card.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Not sure if it's a Christmas special or an item they will be having for awhile but Avon has a cute watch right now that say's #1 Teacher on the face and has an apple & rulers, etc in the background with I think a brown leather band or possibly black. It's really cute and affordable.

 

[daisyduck123]

Another teacher here. Please get her a gift card. Those are most appreciated.

Another poster mentioned a subscription to Mailbox magazine....I love that magazine too, but would not want a subscription, as it is already delivered to my school. Our school librarian already subscribes to it for our school, so anytime I want to browse a copy, I just go check one out of our school library. I know of many other schools that do this too.

You can't go wrong with a nice, big gift card!!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Have everyone pick up the kids a bit early . There is usually so much to get done before a long break and the kids are bound to be "bouncy", when I can I try to get my DS10 early on the last day.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I also think a gift card would be the most appreciated, if there's not something else you have specifically in mind.

The gift card tree sounded neat...maybe you can break the total amount into a few cards, to do something a bit different than her birthday?

Have fun..I'm sure she'll appreciate whatever you decide to do! : )

 

[TJ's Mom]

Another teacher here - the gift card would be best!

 

[slduck]

Another teacher says gift card!

I spend so much money out of pocket on treats and items for projects. A gift card helps to cover that!

 

[woodlandsparty]

Love, love, love the gift card tree idea! Thanks so much you guys.....you've helped a ton!

I'm going to have each of the kids bring a gift card, plus have each of them make an ornament for the tree too. It should be very cute!!

Thanks again!

 

[pooksma]

Last year a parent (and fellow teacher) put together a gift bag full of 'teacher' items~pens,paper,pencil box,graph paper,coffee certificates,coloured pencils etc. One of the best gifts I ever received. Sometimes people dont realise how much we spend out of pocket.

That being said, Im getting a GC for my son's kindergarten teacher. Chapters GC.

 

[living la vida mickey]

Another teacher here. Definitely the gift card. A Borders or Barnes & Noble gift card are always appreciated. I use them to buy books for my classroom.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I just had to share a great story with all of you (this thread seemed appropriate!)

I just finished up a semester long internship at an elementary school in south Florida. I'm hoping to be a music teacher, so I got to teach music to all of the students at the school. At our chorus rehearsal today, the parents brought out a cake, and the kids all thanked me for my help this semester. It was soooo great! I'm going to miss them!

My supervising teacher then said...."The chorus has a gift for you...the kids (along with a few other classes) had each brought in a few dollars...which added up to a $150 gift card for me! I was absolutely shocked and amazed...I thought that maybe it was going to be a $20 card the teacher had purchased on behalf of the students....but it was the kids who actually gave their own money! As a soon-to-be-graduated college student, that money means so much!

Just had to share. I wasn't expecting ANYTHING, and I was so surprised!!!

Thanks for listening.

 

[perdidochas]

I am the room coordinator for my kiddo's classroom. Everyone always pitches in on a gift for each of the teacher's for Christmas. Anybody have any good ideas for a gift???? We usually end up with about $100 per teacher to spend.

We just got done giving her an Amex certificate for her Bday, so I don't want to do a gift certificate again. She's not really the spa type....so certificates for that or bath type baskets.

Help....I have to come up with something soon!

Do something personalized from the class, and a GC. I'm a teacher's husband, and GC's are always appreciated. There are only so many Christmas mugs and ornaments that any one person needs, however, items personalized from the class (i.e. with their names on it, etc.) are a nice touch.

 

[wishes28]

Hi. I'm a teacher and I think gift cards are the best idea. Last year a student gave me a pretty expensive gift and I just ended up returning it at the store so that I could buy classroom supplies. Teachers spend a LOT of money out of their own pocket. I've spent over $400 of my own money so far this year...it just adds up.

 

[jnordan]

I wasn't the OP, but thanks, everyone! We live in the cold northeast, so with the $120 budget I have for our class gift to DD's teacher, I'm getting a $100 Amex gift card and this (see link) -- I'm sharing because I thought it was neat (it puts me $10 over my budget, but I think it's nice, so I'll just chip in the extra!):
http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=5735

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I wasn't the OP, but thanks, everyone! We live in the cold northeast, so with the $120 budget I have for our class gift to DD's teacher, I'm getting a $100 Amex gift card and this (see link) -- I'm sharing because I thought it was neat (it puts me $10 over my budget, but I think it's nice, so I'll just chip in the extra!):
http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=5735

That looks very nice. Could you talk to the parents in my preschool class, I want one too!!

 

[lg3]

I am so glad this was asked - I am a room parent for DD's pre-school class, and we are trying to determine what to give the teacher - who is fantastic. We were thinking of a gift-card, but really wanted to make sure she spent it on herself. We were thinking about one to a Bath & Body shop, etc. Do you think that's okay, or do you think the teacher would like a generic one instead?

Semi OT: The room parents and party helpers are chipping in on it. I hesitate to ask all the parents in general because it is a private school, and parents are constantly being bombarded by requests for donations/fund-raising activities, and the like all year long.