Yay or nay on this teacher gift idea

[micheleq]

summerrrluvv -- we really like the Bisquick Shake and Pour pancake mix. They have small containers of it that are under $2.

As a former teacher, I think it's sweet that you are thinking of your DD's teachers at the holidays. In the end, it's the thought that counts! I have some cherished items that were given to me by students and I keep them because they bring back special memories of the children and their families.

 

[marcyinPA]

That's why I said seasonal...not Christmas.

Anyway, I went to The Christmas Tree Shop today and found snowman kitchen towels for $1.99, snowman pot holder mittens for $1.50 and blue spatulas with a wooden handle for $1.00. I bought betty crocker sugar cookie mix at Target (2lb bag) for $1.69.

I've been trying to find inexpensive gourmet pancake mix and I'll tie a wisk to it and make a tag that says "whisking you a happy holiday", for a few of the other teachers (dance school, daughters pre-school teachers) but I can't find any inexpensive mix. Anyone seen any?

I just thought of another gift that I received last Christmas (I teach preschool). One of my little ones gave me a pancake batter bowl (plastic) with a lid, and inside was a measuring spoon set and measuring cup set. I saw these sold at Wegmans (they were a set...sold together). They included a bag of pancake mix and a bottle of blueberry syrup (sort of a higher end brand but bought in the grocery store). I thought this was great. I made the pancakes for my family over break! (btw, I really didn't need the measuring cups and spoons, since I had received a set of those from Williams Sonoma last Christmas, but I brought the "cheaper" set to school to use in our water table/sensory table. You can never have enough measuring cups to go around in school!)

 

[horseshowmom]

This year I bought $10 Mrs. Fields gift certificates from Restaurants.com and am using them for the cookie cookbook and 2 Dozen cookies on sale for $10.

Are the cookies and cookbook on the Mrs. Fields site?

FYI,.....i would never let a student know that I am not inclined to eat their baked goods. I choose not to eat a baked good because Im leary of how it was prepared,etc. Just me...thats how I am Also...I appreciate the thought and give them as much attention as the one who comes with a gift card, or even a note. I just received the NICEST note from a parent whose child has been having a difficult time in my class and it was better than any gc, or present. It means that i have made a difference and thats what its all about!

It's not just you. The world we live in today is not conducive to accepting things that have been prepared elsewhere. Sadly, we can't always trust everybody. Not eating it certainly does not equal a lack of appreciation.

I went to a craft fair today and saw these gift sets packaged in cellaphane. A seasonal pot holder, dish towel, color coordinated spatula and package of brownie/cookie mix. The presentation was cute (or at least I thought) and she was selling them for $15. Being the bargain shopper that I am, I'm sure I can round up these things and make my own for much less.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I told my daughter about your post, and she's doing these for her friends. She got her stuff at Dollar General (Betty Crocker brownie mix; a matching snowmen themed oven mitt and trivet; curling and wire edged ribbon) & Walmart (cellophane; the white spatula and spoon came in a 4 pc. bagged set at 99 cents - she kept the extra two pieces out of each sack).

Each completed 5 piece set wound up costing $7 each. The trivet made a great base for the package. The snowflakes in the wire edged ribbon matched the snowflakes on the mitt and trivet too. Thanks again!

 

[MomPOM]

Wow. I never thought about someone not wanting to eat something baked. I always go around and give big boxes of homemade cookies and treats to the teachers (along with a small gift since the baking takes over a month on that scale). Maybe I should rethink it.

 

[BoogasMom]

I must chime in here and add that I am glad that gift-giving to teachers is NOT against the rules here! I love my boys' teachers and I can't wait to try to show them just how wonderful they are! My DS 9 has some special struggles and his teacher this year (as in previous years, we are very blessed) is AWESOME with him. I can't imagine NOT being able to give a token of our appreciation to them.

 

[summerrluvv]

Are the cookies and cookbook on the Mrs. Fields site?




It's not just you. The world we live in today is not conducive to accepting things that have been prepared elsewhere. Sadly, we can't always trust everybody. Not eating it certainly does not equal a lack of appreciation.




As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I told my daughter about your post, and she's doing these for her friends. She got her stuff at Dollar General (Betty Crocker brownie mix; a matching snowmen themed oven mitt and trivet; curling and wire edged ribbon) & Walmart (cellophane; the white spatula and spoon came in a 4 pc. bagged set at 99 cents - she kept the extra two pieces out of each sack).

Each completed 5 piece set wound up costing $7 each. The trivet made a great base for the package. The snowflakes in the wire edged ribbon matched the snowflakes on the mitt and trivet too. Thanks again!

They sound adorable!!!

I put together a few today. The xmasy pot holder and towel I got at Homegoods today w/ a matching red spatula and will use those for the folks that I know celebrate xmas.

 

[horseshowmom]

Wow. I never thought about someone not wanting to eat something baked. I always go around and give big boxes of homemade cookies and treats to the teachers (along with a small gift since the baking takes over a month on that scale). Maybe I should rethink it.

Honestly, if a parent was the one who actually brought it to me, I probably wouldn't worry about eating it (unless there were some specific concern). Mainly, it's when students bring you things. Most students you wouldn't have to think twice about, but some you do (keep in mind that I spent a lot of time with junior high and high school students ).

They sound adorable!!!

I put together a few today. The xmasy pot holder and towel I got at Homegoods today w/ a matching red spatula and will use those for the folks that I know celebrate xmas.

Very good! We couldn't find any bags to put them in so she had to buy a roll of cellophane paper. Bags would have made it easier.

 

[marcyinPA]

They sound adorable!!!

I put together a few today. The xmasy pot holder and towel I got at Homegoods today w/ a matching red spatula and will use those for the folks that I know celebrate xmas.

Those are really cute! I'd be thrilled to receive something like that!

 

[peppermintpea]

summerluvv....so dang cute! i would love one of those!

 

[horseshowmom]

summerluvv....so dang cute! i would love one of those!

I think those would be even cheaper to make than the ones my daughter did. I'm a school librarian, and I'm tempted to make those for all of the teachers in my school.

 

[KayW]

Those are great! Hmm..a thought now for the preschool teachers. Some are young and in their early 20s. Would this be something good for them?

 

[summerrluvv]

Thanks!!

FYI, I got a HUGE roll of cellaphane at Micheals for $6.00 with one of the 40% off coupons.

 

[horseshowmom]

Thanks!!

FYI, I got a HUGE roll of cellaphane at Micheals for $6.00 with one of the 40% off coupons.

I'll tell my daughter that. The cellophane was probably the most expensive thing she bought (at Walmart for $2.50 a roll, and they weren't large rolls but enough for the 3 she did).

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Just wanted to share that the Dollar Tree has/had some really nice tea towels (linen) that are Embroidered with "Naughty" or "Nice" with red pom poms along the bottom. I could kick myself for not buying enough for DS teachers so I could use them to make these gifts.

Be on the look out at your local Dollar Tree.


Love the ones you made up from stuff from Homegoods.

 

[lakoda]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the great ideas! I'm really enjoying this thread.

Oh, on a side note - I won't eat baked goods unless I know the baker really well. A few years ago, someone at work bought a cheesecake from someone else for my birthday and it had cat hair in it, blech. I wasn't just one or two, either. Also, I work at a children's hospital and one of the moms brought in baked goods for the staff - when one of the nurses asked for the recipe the mom casually mentioned that she was out of milk so she used breast milk Luckily for me it wasn't on my unit!

 

[summerrluvv]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the great ideas! I'm really enjoying this thread.

Oh, on a side note - I won't eat baked goods unless I know the baker really well. A few years ago, someone at work bought a cheesecake from someone else for my birthday and it had cat hair in it, blech. I wasn't just one or two, either. Also, I work at a children's hospital and one of the moms brought in baked goods for the staff - when one of the nurses asked for the recipe the mom casually mentioned that she was out of milk so she used breast milk Luckily for me it wasn't on my unit!

Wow!! That is just nasty!!! Not saying BM is nasty, but using it in baked goods to give someone else...

 

[kahpets]

I must chime in here and add that I am glad that gift-giving to teachers is NOT against the rules here! I love my boys' teachers and I can't wait to try to show them just how wonderful they are! My DS 9 has some special struggles and his teacher this year (as in previous years, we are very blessed) is AWESOME with him. I can't imagine NOT being able to give a token of our appreciation to them.

I agree!

 

[Evi]

It would depend on how well you know the teacher.. I know I am pretty particular about whats in my kitchen down to the colors but that's just me.

I'd go with something a little less personal (personal being the color/quality and her/his personal taste). Set a budget for each of the teachers and then come up with a cool generic gift basket that they would really use. I'd say coffee mugs that are well insulated aren't a bad idea or a nice refillable water bottle. I know when I used to teach I always had one on my desk even a couple of well selected boxes of tea for a teacher that drinks tea would be nice. Honestly most teachers don't expect anything. Its nice that you think of your teachers over the holidays but don't feel obligated to make it something complicated.

 

[Evi]

ok I take it back I just saw a picture of what you put together very cute and not long term kitchen commitment =) kudos to you hehe I'm sure your teachers will love them.

 

[britfish]

I had a quick teacher gift question. DD's Kindergarten teacher is pregnant with her first child. I was thinking of getting her a Christmas Memories book. I can get it for $8 and it is a spiral bound book hard cover book with a place for a pic. and you can write info. about each year. I thought it would be nice since she is expecting, but is it too personal?