Ideas for Christmas Gifts for Sunday School Teacher and Preschool Teachers

My first thoughts were (and I see others had the same idea) an ornament- store bought or homemade- and cookies or another treat.
If you still want to do cookie mix in a jar, it's pretty easy to find a recipe if you Google it.
I was also inspired by another post that said that their teacher had a wishing tree with things that they needed for the classroom. I asked my son's teacher and, while she hadn't thought of doing that before, she loved the idea and sent me a list of a few items they could use.

One year we went to a craft store and found wood crosses that could be decorated and my son glued beaded and all kinds of stuff on them to give for wall hangings or for ornaments.

We also made fudge to go with it, easy fudge:
1 bag milk choc chips
1 can sweet condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
stir
microwave for about 5min or until melted stirring occasionally
add any other stuff you want ie nuts, marshmellows, carmel, mint... stir
refrigerate until solid and you have yummy fudge :)

My new favorite gift idea is personalized stationary. Everyone loves notecards or a pad of paper with their name or initials on it. I've been buying from a local mom found at www.oopsadaisycards.com She is quick, very reasonable (around $10) and will ship out your order to you in just a couple days.

Cookies in a jar is a good idea, or cute notepads- maybe with their name printed on it. I was a teacher and I always appreciated gifts that I could really use and not just sit around. I know that snowman may look really cute in the store, but who knows what the teacher's personal taste is?? I generally try and find something that the teacher can use in the classroom or a gift cert. This year I found a cute clipboard/pad of paper for my daughter's teacher and am going to put a starbucks gift card with it. Last year at the end of the year we gave her teacher a gift cert to get a pedicure- teachers need to be pampered too! :) Good luck!

One idea that I used when one of my boys were in the head start program was to make cookbooks for their teachers. I used one of the many cookbooks that someone had given me and I just put it on my computer and printed it off and put them on 3x5 cards. Since both of these teachers are very strong in the faith, I would add a recipe for Scripture Cake. This recipe gives the amount of he scripture and then scripture (to be looked up). You'll have to do a search for it on the internet because I have misplaced my copy of it. It makes a really good cake and it also helps with scripture study.

I'm a teacher, and I'd like to suggest going in a different direction. First of all, the most important thing you can do is write your child's teachers each a note to thank them and tell them specifically why you appreciate them so much. These notes are treasured.

Second, teachers don't make very much money, and spend a lot of their own money on the classroom. Gift certificates to make a teacher's life easier are definitely the way to go. You could get something for her (gift cards to restaurants or cafes in the area, to Target, a bookstore, etc.) or something for the classroom (gift cards to Target, teacher supply stores, toystores, children's bookstores, grocery stores, etc.).

$10 is an appropriate amount, but you could go up to $20 or higher, depending on what you're comfortable with. One year I went in on a gift with other parents and we were able to give our children's preschool teacher a $50 card to Macy's, a $50 card to Target, and a $50 card to a salon.

Merry Christmas!

Dear E.,

I am a dance teacher and love that the students and parents remember me during the holidays. That said, I have been inundated with many wonderful things and have an abundant supply of lotions, stationery and a tree full of ornaments.

My favorite gifts in recent history have been when someone makes homemade treats, especially bread, or makes a donation to my favorite charity in my name. The visa gift cards are great since they don't hold you to any certain shop. I have often had to spend more money to use up a gift certificate or have them sit because I don't care for the store.

My daughter is in grade school and one of the moms sends out an email that says we are buying a gift card for the teacher and anyone wanting to contribute any amount is great or if you want to do your own thing that is fine too. We usually send $5, the recommended amount and she gets a visa or bookstore gift card, something most teachers really appreciate.

I had a parent approach me one year for something that I could use and enjoy when teaching and gave me cash towards it. I bought music for the ballet class and think of them each time I use that particular CD. I also put a tag on it that says it was donated by that family. I am sure there are things that your Sunday school/Preschool teachers have always thought they would love to have for the classroom, but didn't have the funds to purchase it. Ask them for some ideas, I am certain they will be able to give you some ideas.

The biggest thing is a note or card that says how much your teacher means to you. All the "stuff" gets used up, tossed in a closet or ends up in a garage sale. The words and thoughts you leave with your teacher are priceless and lasting.

Good luck and enjoy the holidays. It is good that you are thinking about your teachers, as they are an important part of your child's life.

Blessings,
J.

I am a tutor and on Monday one of my third grade students gave me a handmade ornament that I LOVE! Her mom made a dough that my student made into the shape of her hand. Then she colored it, signed and dated the back, and mom put a clear coat (with a spray) over it. It came with a ribbon to hang it with. They made one for each of the grandparents and other relatives. They even made one the shape of the dogs paw for the groomer!

The little girl loved giving it to me (in a decorated paper bag...also very cute).

If you need cookie-in-the-jar recipes let me know. I have 3 recipe books for such treats. I did them for parent gifts when I taught in the classroom.

Since my sons usually have multiple church school teachers so that I am buying as many as 5 gifts just for church school I usually get small gift certificates ($5-10) to a coffee shop or book store. It's enough for them to splurge and have a little treat. It's not particularly Christian-based, but the teachers vary in age and gender in our church (some are high school and college students, some are moms and dads) so it's hard to find something that fits everyone. Sometimes I've added a simple ornament to the gift card. Merry Christmas.

One year I gave a share for an animal through Heifer International in their honor. You can print a customized card after purchase. The smallest share is $10 or you can buy a flock ($20) of chicks, ducks, or geese in honor of all of them. You can check out all of the options at heifer.org

When I worked in the nursery at our church for several years, one couple always gave me candles. I treasure them because the candles were beautiful (beeswax) and because the couple were retired and didn't have any children in the nursery..they simply appreciated what I did for the church. Scented candles would be nice too! :)

As for my kids teachers, I've always given them a note of gratitude for the work they do and a gift certificate to a popular local store, or if I am more familier with them, to a store that I know they would enjoy or frequent (such as the local bookstore or as in one case...a local hardware store because her teacher loved fixing up her house!)

My aunt was a teacher for years and other than the occasional comment about how her home had become overrun with apples lol she would say that the best gift is something handmade by the student or a gift certificate so she could treat herself. I hope that helps!

As a teacher, my favorite gifts were thankyou notes from students and parents - and Caribou gift cards! Sometimes I'd get so many they would last for months!

A lot of preschool teachers use stamps on papers to show good work. One year I bought a bunch of stamps and some different colored ink pads from the craft store and ut them in a small basket. Our school recommends something for the teachers to use in class. The teacher was very excited to have new stamps to use.

Hi E.,
I have in the past made homemade carmels and put them into a nicely already wrapped box(you can purchase them at Gordmans or any craft store for a couple of bucks). They always seem to enjoy them. One year my son had a younger Sunday school teacher and instead of carmels I got a gift card to Blockbuster for her.

Good Luck :)

E., I have a 5 & 7 year old, so we have been through lots of pre-k teachers and sunday school teachers. We usually try to go $10-$15 per teacher, depending on the situation. I am biased on the gift as I'm a Tastefully Simple consultant. So we always give the teachers a grouping of some type of TS food product. They always love it as they can enjoy it with their family and do so easily. They can also save it for guests that may be coming over - so it can be dual purpose. Yummy & time saving. Even if you don't do Tastefully Simple, something similar would be appreciated. I love to do a Beer Bread Mix, a gourmet Soup Mix & maybe a dessert mix, like our Almound Pound Cake. If you are intersted, you can contact me. Good luck!

Everyone likes gift cards and all teachers love gift cards fir book stores. You could also ask them if there are items they would like for the classroom. I think it is appropriate to spend between 5-10 dollars. Most teachers don't expect much especially for very young children.

Hi E. -- When it comes to gifts for teachers, I really believe it's the thought that counts -- not the money! How 'bout giving them each a Christmas tree ornament? Maybe your kids could MAKE the ornaments or make the tags for the packages. Have fun!

L.

My daughter gives her teachers those fancy elaborate huge apples. They come smothered in chocolate and nuts or whatnot. They're about $8dollars at Walmart.

We like to get our teachers mugs with candy or homemade Christmas "stuff". They can continue to enjoy the gift year round. Also, gift cards to a Christian store would probably come in handy. Gift cards to restuarants is also much liked. (My husband used to get gift cards for local restuarants when he worked as a plant manager.) I'm sure anything you get them they'll like it.

I was a assistant day care director for years and one of my favorite gifts each year was a little ceramic dreamcicle ornament from one of the little guys. It has been about 9 years since then and I still think fondly of the young man who gave me them as I put them on my tree.