What are you getting the teachers this Christmas?

[ljcraw555]

I got my DS's main teacher this http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/specials-updates/docs/this-month-customer.pdf in Harvest Floral personalized with "A+ Teacher" on it. I may put some classroom supplies in here as well.

His other teacher I got this http://www.thirtyonetoday.com/Portals/0/Nov 2011 Customer.pdf in Pin Dots personalized with "Bless You" on it. I will put a box of Kleenex in here. He only has her for one class.

I also get the Principal and school secretary something also. They are both WONDERFUL!! It's always good to be on the school secretary's good side too.

 

[cari12]

I put a gift card to Starbucks (or somewhere similar that I think the teacher could use) in a card. I did think about what a teacher would do with 20 boxes of chocolates or 20 mugs or worse yet 20 bath product baskets per year. Not surprised to hear that they end up in the garbage or yard sales.

 

[mjantz]

I've honestly thought about asking my boss if we can have a 'Not For Me But Perfect For You' area for gifts that are wonderful but not your style. So that way, if someone gives me a cinnamon candle (Strong cinnamon scents irritate my nose) I could put it there & pick up the vanilla-scented body wash that didn't work for someone else.

 

[mafibisha]

Should also mention....teacher is going to say the LOVE any gift....just like we all do. No teacher is ever going to tell you they don't like the smelly stuff, food, VB bag,etc.etc. I know I would never say I don't like a gift---even my kids know to say thank you very much...I love it!

I've honestly thought about asking my boss if we can have a 'Not For Me But Perfect For You' area for gifts that are wonderful but not your style. So that way, if someone gives me a cinnamon candle (Strong cinnamon scents irritate my nose) I could put it there & pick up the vanilla-scented body wash that didn't work for someone else.

Great idea!

 

[thebeesknees]

I am making clipboards for each of my kids' homeroom teachers. They have to carry their class lists to assembly every day and had some blah-looking boards to carry them on, so I mod-podged various papers onto each clipboard, personalized them with their names and class mascot, and added some funky ribbons and a pretty pen at the top. I got little notepads from Artscow with "A note from (teacher's name)" to put with each one. The kids helped me with the note pads and clipboards by choosing prints and colors they thought their teachers would like. I actually got the notepads for each specials teacher, too, since I figured it was in my price range and they can always use a little note paper for the personal notes they occasionally send home.

 

[torinsmom]

When I taught elementary school I got tons of Avon perfume. Yuck, it has improved but still yuck. But my Grandmother and her Sister just loved seeing me coming after school was out, they loved all the different perfumes. so it made me happy to be able to make them happy.

One parent gave me bright red lipstick one year. LOL, I have never worn lipstick and if I did, bright red would NOT have been my color.

 

[Mom_Rides]

This is my DD's first year of school (pre-k) so I'm taking notes on what not to do

I've seen my DD's primary teacher drinking Tim Horton's several times so I'll be getting a gift card from TH for her. I think I've seen her assistant teacher with a McDonalds cup before but I can't remember because she's usually coming in as we come in or shortly after we come in. I'll be in the classroom twice this week so I'm going to see if she has anything. I want their gifts to be personalized and definately something that they'll use.

I plan to stop at Tim Horton's and pick up either donuts or bagels and cream cheese for the staff lounge so that the other people (aides/cafeteria & office workers/custodian) that are in the school can enjoy them as well. I figured these would be consumed over homemade items.

 

[fakereadhed]

I got these:
http://www.penzeys.com/scstore/giftboxes/new/Teacher.html

I love Penzey's spices and even if they don't cook or care for it, it's a small token that lets them know I appreciate them.

 

[Vacation Lover]

Barnes & Noble usually has a deal before Christmas where if you buy $100 in gift cards, you get a free $10 card. I usually end up getting $200 in gift cards for teachers, girl scout leaders, etc. (if I'm a little short, I pick up a generic card to reach the $200 and keep it on hand for a birthday gift). Then I pop the $10 freebie cards in my and DH's stocking.

I usually give $5 cards to the middle school teachers and $10-20 to the elementary teachers. (Am I the only one with an 8th grade boy who still likes to give Christmas gifts to his teachers?)

 

[sherry7]

Okay...you all have me totally rethinking my gift now to DD's 4 daycare teachers.

I was going to give each teacher this thermal cup (pictured below), filled with Hershey's Kisses (or Lindt Truffles if I run across a sale on them), and a $20 Walmart gift card. But from what I'm reading here, are mugs completely lame? I always see them drinking coffee every morning when I drop off DD, so I thought it was a good idea. Should I just skip the thermal cup and candy, and just stick the gift card in a card?

 

[lonegirl]

In my years of teaching, my favorite gifts were gift cards that I could use for myself or to treat my family. One year the class collected money and gave my family two gift cards---one to a local "nicer" restaurant for my DH and me" and another to a family restaurant and ice cream for all us to go out as a family.

I love thoughtful gifts, but I am more practical, and have sent boxes of frames, mugs, knick-knacks, and such to Goodwill.

 

[momto2inKC]

We don't have middle school, but have jr. high instead for 7th and 8th. They don't even have room mothers, let alone holiday parties.

Here room moms stop at 4th grade, holiday parties continue until 6th grade. I don't send gifts anymore. Between my middle and high schooler they have a combined 16 teachers

 

[daisyduck123]

Okay...you all have me totally rethinking my gift now to DD's 4 daycare teachers.

I was going to give each teacher this thermal cup (pictured below), filled with Hershey's Kisses (or Lindt Truffles if I run across a sale on them), and a $20 Walmart gift card. But from what I'm reading here, are mugs completely lame? I always see them drinking coffee every morning when I drop off DD, so I thought it was a good idea. Should I just skip the thermal cup and candy, and just stick the gift card in a card?

Nice thought....but I recommend you skip the mugs & candy, & just go with the gift card.

I'm a coffee drinker. I have a coffee mug on my desk at work everyday. I've also been teaching for over 20 years. My cabinet is full of mugs & can't hold anymore. Every mug I get now goes in my annual spring yard sale. I don't even have room for any more Tervis Tumblers.

 

[torinsmom]

Okay...you all have me totally rethinking my gift now to DD's 4 daycare teachers.

I was going to give each teacher this thermal cup (pictured below), filled with Hershey's Kisses (or Lindt Truffles if I run across a sale on them), and a $20 Walmart gift card. But from what I'm reading here, are mugs completely lame? I always see them drinking coffee every morning when I drop off DD, so I thought it was a good idea. Should I just skip the thermal cup and candy, and just stick the gift card in a card?

If you already have them, I would give them. I love getting candy; chocolate is nice when you're having a rough day. As for the mug, I would probably pass it on to my assistant, since she drinks coffee. If she got one too, she and her DH can have matching mugs. I honestly never threw a gift away. I put things in the teacher lounge and someone who can use it always takes it. The fact that the parent thought of me is appreciated

 

[Pigeon]

I'd skip the mug and just do the gift card in a regular card with a nice note saying how much you appreciate the teacher.

I'm the wife of a teacher and we throw out soooo many mugs of all varieties.

 

[tam.daelynn]

I get them a nice Christmas tree ornament

 

[mafibisha]

Some good ideas here, not necessarily just for teachers, but for other people I know really well.

Unless we're personal friends with the teacher, we don't really know what they'd like. What *we* may think is wondeful (scents, bags, patterns, candy) may be gross or useless to them.

I'm sure we all remember being gifted with something well thought out - (it still IS the thought that counts!!!) - but that we didn't like at all.

IMO, for teachers or anyone we don't know well personally, gift cards (aka: cash) are always appreciated.

 

[pklein09]

I get them a nice Christmas tree ornament

That only works if they're Christian. Where I live, there is a large Jewish and Indian population.

 

[leight]

Now that both of my kids are out of elementary, I am hoping this year will be a bit easier. I make my kids write a note to each teacher to say thanks and personalize why they appreciate them (will be having dd11 start at thanksgiving since several of her classes are co-taught!) I usually do simple $5 target gift cards but for the teachers my kids especially like they usually add some kind of candy item or something they know the teacher likes. dd11 has dd14's old math teacher who adores hershey's kisses- she'll get some for sure. I just hope the ese teacher in the room likes them too as I will have to get her them as well!

 

[cari12]

That only works if they're Christian. Where I live, there is a large Jewish and Indian population.

Also, imagine receiving 20+ ornaments per year times however many years they have been teaching. That's a lot of oraments even if they are really nice.