I know that sometimes the truth is hard to hear, but with so many people talking about making food gifts as a way to save $ I think that the time has come to bring this up.
1. Don't make food gifts. Most teachers and schools have a rule that ALL homemade food gifts are/must be thrown away. Although your child's teacher will thank you, and tell you later how good it was, chances are it ended up in the trash. I know that this is a sensitive subject, but here goes. For those of you on foodstamps or other assistance that make cookies etc as gifts because you don't have to use your limited cash to buy a gift, please consider this alternative. You could donate a bag of canned food items to your local shelter or food bank in the names of all your kid's teachers. You can write them a note to go in the card your child made that says in appreciation for all the help they give, a donation has been given to ___ to extend that help to even more. I would suggest this to all of you that are on a tight budget. If you have 10 teachers to buy for and want to keep it at $2 each, a $20 donation of cash or food would go a long way. You do not have to mention the dollar amount on your note, just that a donation has been made in lieu of teacher gifts. Even if you are not on a budget this is a great idea.
2. No coffee mugs. Teachers end up with 100's of these things and pitch most of them, ESPECIALLY the ones with a teacher theme.
3. Don't BUY christmas tree ornaments, again especially the ones with a teacher theme. Ones made by your child will be appreciated, but not the "handmade" ones from the craft shows.
Don't think you HAVE to give a gift. Your child can make a card so they will have something to give along with the other children, along with a note of appreciation from you is much better than more junk to toss.
1. Don't make food gifts. Most teachers and schools have a rule that ALL homemade food gifts are/must be thrown away. Although your child's teacher will thank you, and tell you later how good it was, chances are it ended up in the trash. I know that this is a sensitive subject, but here goes. For those of you on foodstamps or other assistance that make cookies etc as gifts because you don't have to use your limited cash to buy a gift, please consider this alternative. You could donate a bag of canned food items to your local shelter or food bank in the names of all your kid's teachers. You can write them a note to go in the card your child made that says in appreciation for all the help they give, a donation has been given to ___ to extend that help to even more. I would suggest this to all of you that are on a tight budget. If you have 10 teachers to buy for and want to keep it at $2 each, a $20 donation of cash or food would go a long way. You do not have to mention the dollar amount on your note, just that a donation has been made in lieu of teacher gifts. Even if you are not on a budget this is a great idea.
2. No coffee mugs. Teachers end up with 100's of these things and pitch most of them, ESPECIALLY the ones with a teacher theme.
3. Don't BUY christmas tree ornaments, again especially the ones with a teacher theme. Ones made by your child will be appreciated, but not the "handmade" ones from the craft shows.
Don't think you HAVE to give a gift. Your child can make a card so they will have something to give along with the other children, along with a note of appreciation from you is much better than more junk to toss.
This is great info. 
I plan to add my own note as well, and we'll send them each in a card for each teacher. If finances allow I'll probably add a small gift card in each as well.
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