Hello. I think I have decided on what to give my sons preschool teachers for Christmas, but I wanted a second opinion. For the 2 main teachers I was going to give them homemade chocolate covered pretzel rods, a homemade book mark (made by my son), and a gift card ($15?) to Walmart or Staples. I was going to give the aid in the room the pretzels and a bookmark. What do y'all think?
Also, are gifts or treats usually given to the other students? I found plastic snow globes that come with a snowman picture the kids can color and then put inside at Oriental Trading. They are $6.95 for 6 of them and there are 18 kids in the class.
Oh yeah, does anyone have any suggestions for the bookmarks. I thought about using glitter, those stick on gems things, stickers, etc.
Thanks!
the book mark sounds like a cute idea. I would stamp them. there are really cute stamps at ACMOORE for 1.00 or less. You can still use the glitter and gems.
It all sounds very generous. My only suggestion is to not use glitter on the bookmarks if you intend for the teachers to use them. The glitter will fall off into the pages and could be messy. I think they make puffy paint with glitter in it that might be a good alternative but I have never used it personally to know how it will hold up.
Good luck and enjoy all your projects!!!
Hi H.! I was a teacher before I became a Mommy and I think what you're doing is more than enough! I would be really happy to receive the gifts that you've picked out. =) Giving gifts to all the kids is not something that is usually done by the parents. If it makes you happy to do that, you can and it is a very nice gesture, but I don't think it's the norm. :)
For any other Moms looking for inexpensive teacher gifts, I have two websites on Etsy where I sell a lot of products perfect for teachers (magnets, bookmarks, Scripture tins, etc). The proceeds from http://cherryberry.etsy.com are all donated to charity, and my other website is http://thepurplepear.com where all proceeds go to my baby on the way. LOL!
Good luck!
That seems like an aweful lot to give your childs teacher. Don't forget that some kids may not be able to afford a gift at all. It should be one thing, and something modest. If you want to go all out for the teacher, you could buy stuff for all the students to make something for the teacher. Go in and have a special 'craft' day. That would give the teacher a break, and make all the kids happy.
That sounds very nice. My only suggestion would be to ask the parents if they would all like to go in on a gift card for the teacher. Depending on the number of children in the class, it could be a pretty nice amount. When I have done it in the past, I put a note in each parents box letting them know what I was thinking, the amount being asked and where I would buy it. I gave a due date for the money and said nothing to the parents. I usually asked for $15 dollars, $10 for the head teacher and $5 for the assistant. Most of the parents participated and those that did not had nothing to explain to me because I was not asking them face-to-face and putting them on the spot. The day it was due, I had a card ready to be signed by everyone who gave me money and them went out and bought the gift card.
The last time I did it, we gave the head teacher a $25 pass for Regal Cinema which included two movie passes and a $10 certficate for the concession stand, plus a gift card for a resturant. The assistant teacher receieved a gift card for a resturant for a lesser amount.
I spent years as a pre-school teacher and the most special presents I ever received were the homemade ones. If your set on bookmarks, I agree with the glitter paint idea, BUT homemade ornaments were my favorite. I used them to decorate the tree I used at school, and now I put them on my tree at home. I've got lots of those wooden ones painted or bedazzled or glittered, ect... Good luck!
Hi H.,
I think those are great ideas and teaching about homemade is good as well. I think that the restriction for homemade snacks is part of the PA school system but my daughter is in a Goddard and they do allow parents to bring in homemade things - cupcakes for birthdays and such.
I will probably do the gifts for the other kids as well as I want to teach her about giving being more fun that receiving (well, try anyway!).
Great ideas - I think you're on the right track!
S.
I don't know about your school but here in PA the school will not let parents homemake any snacks. They are concerned about allergies, so any item that is not labeled with ingredients it won't be acceptable.
CINDY
For the bookmarks, glitter sounds good. I would let your son decorate them however he wants. Then I would use clear contact paper to cover them. It will make them more durable and you don't have to worry about all the glitter coming off.
Treats and/or crafts for the entire class is completely your choice as are gifts for the teachers and aides. We always send gifts to the teacher but class treats depend on timing and what else is going on. We usually send a cookie or candy treat but last year there was a little girl with peanut allergies in my daughters class. That kind of limited the snacks so we forewent sending in a snack. I think I may have sent in holiday pencils for the kids (the kind with the big eraser on top).
Have fun with your crafts!
Great idea's!! If you can aford it and doing this makes you and your kids happy do as much as you want. Just skip the glitter. It will get all over. Any thing else is a go. Having a good friend that is a pre-school teacher's aid I know she does just as much work as the head teacher. Deside for your self but I would give them the same gifts. They may do different jobs but work just as hard at keeping our kids happy, safe and learing all that they can everyday.
Last year at preschool just small gifts were exchanged by the kids. Stickers, cards and very small item toys like stuff from OT. I think the globes are a great idea. I'm to thinking of ordering something from OT for my son's classmates. Great minds think a like.
Have a great holiday,
T.
That sounds great and its so nice you are teaching your son about homemade gifts! And yes some of my children have received small gifts at school around the holidays so the snow globe sounds great.
HI there-- At my son's preschool we pool financial resources and give each teacher a gift certificate to a local restaurant or store. Usually the head teacher receives a larger amount than the aids. We do not ask for a specific amount and the certificates are signed "The preschool class" as opposed to individual names so no one feels left out. In addition my son then makes a little something. Last year we purchased wooden shapes from Michaels which he then painted/decorated and we added a magnet to the back to give to teachers and attach to family Christmas packages. Planning to do something similar this year-- might drill a hole and attach ribbon for an ornament or make applesauce ornaments which smell wonderful.
I think making a craft is a great idea. I actually found a way to make snow globes in a magazine!
If you're going to make something with your son like a book mark, why not use paint and stencils. You can get a paint sponge for .5 at a craft store, and washable paint for at walmart. Or make gingerbread ornaments, you can make men, or use cookie cutters to make other shapes and paint them.
I think the chocolate pretzels and bookmark are sufficent and there is no need to get a gift card. In our preschool gifts are not given to every child, so you should definately check with the teachers or director before purchasing anything.
bookmards with glitter and other gems that have to be glued on even though they may look nice usually get thrown away within a month because of the things falling off them..... stickers don't fall off so quickly and maybe the foam stickers.... stick to simple when making those and they will get more use..... just a suggestion
Hi H.,
I am a teacher in the Glen Mills area, and I think your gift sounds wonderful. I love that you are taking the time to show you care and the gift card it just an added bonus. You are very generous.
