Teachers...

[disneyfanz04]

what do you NOT want your students to give you???

I know when I walk into my daughters class at the winter party, all I see on her desk is CANDLES . Give me some ideas that would be useful for a teachers gift. Thanks a million!!!

 

[disneyfor3]

I substitute teach and assistant taught last year at my son's preschool. I loved a chip platter with dip holder I got as a gift. Also, from what the other teachers mentioned to me gift cards to Target, Walmart, restaurants are a hit. At the end of the year last year I got all the moms to go in on a large gift for each of my son's teachers. We filled them with gift cards, a scrapbok with a sheet done by each child with their picture, assorted items such as hand lotions from Bath and Body Works, school supplies, put everything into wicker hampers I got for cheap from Michaels and since I can't do bows well I got these really pretty filmy scarves from Kohls to make bigs bows with (the teachers liked the scarves the best). I'd avoid the chocolate thing (seems like every teacher got tons of chocolate). Ornaments are always a nice gift too.

 

[patchchild]

As a teacher, thank you for noticing that we don't need more candles. I think if I lit just the ones from last year the fire department might depart the station immediately.

Gift cards are definitely nice. Especially for places that we shop for our classrooms, Staples, any book store, the local teacher's store. Note cards, stationary, especially teacher or school themed can be fun.

Lots of schools are having teacher out together wish lists for their classroom. Then you'll know for sure that what you're giving is really needed.

My favorite though, notes and cards from students. Help the kids put into words what they like about the class or what they have enjoyed so far. Those are the best because later in the year or in later years, when you're having a really bad day, they can really cheer you up.

 

[Franne]

Gift cards are definitely nice. Especially for places that we shop for our classrooms, Staples, any book store, the local teacher's store. Note cards, stationary, especially teacher or school themed can be fun.

My favorite though, notes and cards from students. Help the kids put into words what they like about the class or what they have enjoyed so far. Those are the best because later in the year or in later years, when you're having a really bad day, they can really cheer you up.

Yep, I definately agree! A gift card is great because then it's something that we can use in our classes. I have more candles and wallets than I know what to do with!

 

[staceyfe]

My son's teacher sent a note home yesterday that made me want to do flip-flops. She requested that no money be spent on her, and that her "kids" do a random act of kindness and then write her a note telling what they did. She reasoned that was really the spirit of Christmas. I was so excited that I'm going to have my son do more "acts" for his teachers at church, too.

But, I had down on my list to give her movie gift certificates. Most teachers like to go to the movies.

 

[Jsme]

I never give my childrens teachers a candle...I work in the school system...

I have bought gift certificates from Outback, Panera Bread, Kohl's and Starbucks. I have also made nice stationary baskets for them.

I have to agree the candles do get old.

 

[ch261]

No candles, no mugs, no ornaments. I personally didn't like the lotions, perfumes, soaps either.

Yes to gift cards. I usually buy my sons' teachers gift cards to book stores. Sometimes if I know the teacher really well, I will pick out a special book that I think he/she will like, usually a children's book that they can use with their class.

I haven't taught in a classroom for 6 years, but I still have all the personal notes and letter written to be from parents and students. Priceless.

 

[8 Ears]

Although I am not a teacher, I am an Ed. Tech. Teachers really do not "want" anything....but what would warm hy heart is a "thank you" note. Not just "for everything you do" but specifics. Thank you for tying my child's sneakers, thank you for sharpening their pencil when the sharperner was eating it up, thank you for saying good morning, have a good day, enjoy your weekend.......

What I do not want, no candy/chocolates, will get enough as it is. PLEASE no coffee cups!

Teachers spend boo coo bucks out of their own pockets.... so stickers, crayons, markers, erasers, art supplies, pencils, pencils, pencils, pencils; without plastic on them, books, or gift card for books

 

[Angelgirl13202]

My MIL has been a teacher for almost thirty years she said no more things with apples on them yes they scream teacher but i also agree girt cards like what was mentioned.

 

[sandiegosusie]

When I was in the classroom, I always told parents that asked, that I would love books for the classroom. That way everyone in the class could enjoy the gift. I also added that it would be really great if their child wrote a little something as a dedication page inside the front cover.

On the flip side, if a parent didn't want to do that, I always loved gift cards...Starbucks especially!

 

[WDWfor5]

With both my mother and mil being teachers, I've gotten a first hand look at teacher gifts over the years.

Love: Gift Cards - my m.i.l.'s class has been doing Barnes & Nobles, local restaurants, the local mall and even a few years ago an American Express Gift Card. She also has enjoyed receiving fresh flowers, plants, etc.

Don't Love: candles, mugs, teacher apples, ornaments that say Best Teacher on them (they love notes, cards, etc but if they put up all of their teacher ornaments there'd be no room for anything else).

As class mom last year, I collected money for my DD's Kindergarten teacher and bought a $100 G.C. to the local mall (She was thrilled). For the end of the year, a friend and I chipped in and bought her a basket of Tastefully Simple products (gourmet food mixes for breads, soup, brownies, etc.) She seemed to like that

I've thought of the scrapbook idea, but I'm always unsure if it's really what they'd want. They're not inexpensive and they take a lot of time and I'm not sure they want to remember every moment of the year in the same way we do as parents. Do any teachers have any thoughts on these?

Anyway, hope this helps.

(60 days and counting - if only I knew how to fix my signature)

 

[tkafam]

Without a doubt, gift cards! Gift cards to a teacher's store are a nice gift and then she'll be getting stuff for the whole class to use.

 

[tkafam]

I think I answered your question wrong!! We love gift cards!

 

[Tink215]

As A pre-school teacher for 10 years, I have a huge collection of ornaments, I love them but after accumilating so many through out the years it does get old......I didnt like the candles and soaps and stuff.

What I did love was the home baked good I got, the specialty cookies, cakes and fudge were so good, and just the fact that they had baked them was so thoughtful!!! Also one year I had one parent give me a gift certificate to the local teacher resource/education store, she knew how much I loved buying my own materials/books and stuff. I was very touched......Also the Gift cards to maybe get a manicure or pedicure was nice too.....Good Luck!!!!


Ps. My favorite was the very warm Tinkerbell socks I got one year, the child told her Mom that I was a Tinkerbell Freak!!!!

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

I keep changing my mind about what to give the kids' teachers...I can't decide between a g.c to a restaurant (for her whole family to enjoy) or a g.c. for a manicure/pedicure (obviously just for her).

 

[Danemom]

I get tons of candles, bath stuff, and "best teacher" type things. They're all nice, but to be honest, I re-gift a lot since I am allergic to a lot of bath stuff and am also sensitive to some scents. I feel bad about that, but I sincerely appreciate the thought.

I love gift cards for all the reasons everyone mentioned. I especially like them for places I can buy things for the classroom, even if it's just Walmart. Handmade gifts from the children are my favorites.

 

[pyrxtc]

Well, I guess I'm in the wrong cuz I bought my DD's teacher a Yankee candle housewarmer and a shade for the top and Bath N Body Works stuff along with a bread ina POt mix. was I wrong?

Whenever our school needs stuff for theirs classrooms, the PTC buys it or individual parents do. We get to the school often and can see what is needed and ask and then we deliver. This year I ahve provided the class withnotebooks for spelling, about 10 boxes of pencils, and electric pencil sharpener, laminate, art supplies, markers, cleaner, and paper towels and tissues. And the other parents mostly do the same.

I want to give the teacher something for herself and not the class. She gets enough of that stuff, she ran out of room to keep it all...LOL! For Kindergarden a few of us got together and I got to hop and I got some really nice BBW stuff and a Build-A-Bear in a Mrs. Claus outfit and a small candle witha GC to a local resteraunt. i gave almost the same thing to her assistant except she got an elf and no GC. they loved it and used the BBW stuff during the day in the class and use the BAB's still after 3 yrs. The teacher was planning on making a Mrs. Claus outfit for a doll she had at home but I saved her the time. I knew her well enough to get something not so generic. I even knew exactly what scent to get each of them just by remembering how they smell when I talk to them, and what they like to do outside of class. I knew neither of them wore lots of perfume but the assistant was more a flowery smell woman and the teacher was into camping and such.

 

[DianeV]

I used to try to get the parents in my kids classes to all go in together to get one nice gift card for their teachers but after only being successful 2 times with 2 kids in many years I gave up. The teachers loved it but I got tired of the "I already bought the teacher a gift" parents that ended up being candles etc. No one would listen to me!

 

[InstImpres]

I've done "a night at the movies" and it's been a big hit....a blockbuster card in a basket along with stuff from the supermarker (microwave popcorn, candy etc.) Right now target has "popcorn boxes" in the $1 section

 

[Kayleebug]

I've been a teacher for 10 years and can honestly say that if you give any gift to the teacher, it is very nice. Most of my students do not give me or the other teachers in my school anything at all. I did get a gift certificate to a local restaurant once and almost fainted! I think that most teachers just like to know that they are appreciated by you remembering them at the holidays.