What Is a Good Gift for a Teacher?

I give my daughter's teacher some books for her classroom. (I sell children's books, lol...so logical choice)

Gift cards to local book stores or craft stores are great! Most of the time teachers seem to want those so that they can buy supplies for their classrooms. This way, less has to come out of their own pocket! Around $20.00 is helpful, I think. Good luck!

I had a hard time with this because my son has always has many people that work with him in school. Last year we had 2 teachers, 4 aides, 2 therapists, the bus driver, and the bus aide! Needless to say, I could not get them each individual gifts. I have done the Tastefully Simple route, since I am a consultant, but it just didn't seem very personal to me.
Last year for Christmas, I had my son write out everyone's card to the best of his ability, then I went to Bath and Body works and bought a box of like 6 different hand lotions. I also bought everyone $5 gift cards to Wendy's. I just tossed the cards, lotions, and gift card in a bag, and wrote that they all got one of each. We have also done cookie trays for the teacher and aides. It's hard when you have multiple people to buy for, especially when it comes to the people who play a big part in your child's life!

Hi M.

Someone not too long ago posted a similar question - just in case you need additional ideas. I suggested to this previous post gift cards to mall or target or you could do Tastefully Simple packages. For example - Beer bread, soup with a bowl OR Caramel Sauce & Almond Pound Cake wrapped with a wooden spoon, or one of the dip mixes and breads wrapped with a little cutting board. Things like this. The previous post did order a few items from me - you can see the review on Mamasource. I would be happy to offer you a 10% discount. You can view the products at Tastefullysimple.com If you don't want to go this route, my friends who are teachers, love gift certificates. :)

There was an article in the paper the other day saying that homemade (student) gifts were good for teachers. I also have given items from Tastefully Simple. Not only because I sell it but because it is something they can use during the holidays.

Hi Michelle!

I know you have gotten a ton of responses and they are all great. My sister always has great ideas for teachers and depending on the involvement with the kids depended on what she did...here are three of them:

1)She bought an inexpensive popcorn bowl and put in microwave popcorn packets, pizza coupon/gift certificate, movie candy and movie rental passes with a cute note to have "Movie Night on Us!"

2)She bought an inexpensive basket and put in 2 or 4 cute ice cream bowls, scoop, toppings and a grocery store gift certificate.

3)She bought ornaments, usually original from a craft fair and made "puppy chow" or some other goodie. Wrapped them in holiday bags and tied the ornament on.

Hope these are helpful!

My parents are both teachers and have always felt bad when one kid brings a bigger or more expensive gift and another can't afford to bring anything. Especially my mom who had taught K-2 grades. (Not such a big deal with high schoolers my dad taught since they hardly bring anything anymore.) That's not to say she doesn't love the gifts she gets, she just feels bad for the kids who don't bring anything. She is good about not opening them in front of kids so no one sees what others brought.
So ANYHOW, my mom always helped us make fudge for our teachers. We'd make it in little personal potpie-sized tins and push a cookie cutter into them for a holiday design. You can get colored plastic wrap them in.
Also, things for the classroom are always welcomed. Most teachers spend their own money on stuff for the kids, so books and other such things are great or gift cards to art and teacher's supply stores (I know of one in Castleton) are great.
Hope that helps:)

My mom is a teacher and she always appreciates items that she can use up as it is hard to keep 22 gifts from children every year until they graduate or beyond. And, Lara S's idea about the gift certificates to a book store or teacher's supply store are perfect. My mom has always spent a lot of her own money on her classroom. Your kids make hand-made cards for each of them. It really is the thought that they appreciate!

Hi M.,

Here are just a few ideas from my Avon brochure:

* Candy Cane Mug Gift Set: $7.99 each set
* Festive Light Up Pen & Note Set: $7.99
* Holiday Cookie Tins: Intro special $7.99 each
* Embellished Faux Fur Slipper: Intro special $9.99
* Damask Flocked Candle holder: $12.99
* Rudolph Musical Lighted Mug: $14.99
* All-In-One Kitchen Mitt: $14.99
* Candy Photo Box: $14.99
* Animated Lights & Music Holiday House: Intro special -
* Animated Sleigh Ride Fun: $24.99
* Holiday Tree with Train: $39.99

Call me or visit my website if your interested. There are great things for you, family and friends.

Barbara
###-###-####
www.youravon.com/bamezcua

I am a teacher myself and I prefer to receive gift cards from my kids. Another idea is to ask the teacher if there is anything you can purchase for the classroom. Many times there are things I need for my room that I eventually just go out and buy myself. Homemade things from the kids are nice as well. These are just a few ideas. Any amount is just fine ~ it's the thought that counts!

Last year I bought 2 of the same Christmas tree ornaments from Kohls. They were about 10 bucks a piece. Other years, I have given a gift card to Kohls for 20, but because there are 2, I would do 2 cards at Walmart for 10 dollars each. Of course, home baked cookies etc... might be fun for your child and yourself to do together. This year, I think I am going to purchase shampoo/conditioner sets (I am licensed in hair care), or a lotion and bath gel set that is my favorite. I think it is most fun to give things that are my favorite things. Share things that I LOVE LOVE LOVE with others.
Good luck!

A.

I always buy gift cards from Office Max. Teachers can always use supplies!!

As a teacher I appreciate ANY gift I get, but really do get an overabbundance of coffee mugs, ornaments, cute paper, etc. I always get my childrens teachers a gift certificate that they can spend at any of our local businesses. I spend a lot of my personal money so this way they can use the certificate for the classroom or themselves. Take in to account wether or not the assistants work one on one with your child when making a decision. A holiday card with something small is always welcome too!

I'm doing hurricanes for my son's preschool teachers...they were on sale for 16.95 (and I got it thru my home biz Southern Living at HOME, but you can find items of this sort in stores as well...I'm sure of that)..but I usually try to keep it under $20. I figure with a hurricane, they can put a candle in it, use it as a vase, or use it for whatever they want around the house. And I do try and give them the same gifts..it's just easier. Last year, I gave them a decorative mini casserole dish and filled it with homemade Christmas cookies...they loved it. And it was a dish that could then be used as a baker, potpourri holder, etc, etc. so they could get lots of use out of it.

I hope this helps! Have a great holiday season!

M.

Teachers spend their own personal money on supplies etc for the classroom. How about cash. Make the package funny. Multiple boxes or envelops. They get enough possessions. I do not like to see a cluttered classroom myself. Kids do not do well with clutter.

I know money does not sound fun. Teachers work so hard for nothing. They are critized. They have tons of forms to fill out. They have bad days with our kids. They have people blame them instead of making or kids take responsibility.

A great thank you note to go with the money would be great.

My favorite is to ask what they want or need.

I've typically tried to guide my older son (9) in gift purchases for his teachers, but a new experience this year has me taking a different perspective. His little sister is in 1st grade this year - she latched onto a really cute holiday decoration at one of those dollar stores. While I was looking at Christmas cards, she brought it back to me and told me she wanted to get it for her teacher. I decided since she was excited about it, it was a good buy. I'll be taking my son back to the store soon (they also have $1 teddy bear outfits - my girl loves to dress hers up). If you let your children pick out something for teachers and assistants, you're still only out $4, and they're proud of their choices!

One that has always been a big hit for us is Anti-bacterial hand soap from Bath & Body Works. It is on sale periodically throughout the year for 3/$10 and makes a great, inexpensive gift that is appreciated.

I have my kids help make something for their teachers and assistants. We also give something to the preschool director because she is really hands-on with the kids and we all love her. :-) I have a really easy fudge recipe and even my 2 year old can do alot to help me make it. This year my oldest has requested to make my great-grandmother's chocolate no-bake cookies for his kindergarten teacher. He's only 5 but he can make them totally by himself. Besides the fudge and cookies I usually throw in a $10-$15 gift card to Starbucks.

I taught for ten years and I can give a bit of advice on this one. There are two PERFECT gifts. One is a gift certificate to a teacher store, or all purpose store, as teachers often spend their own money at these places for the classroom - or a gift certificate that a teacher might not opt to buy him or herself - like afancy dinner or spa day - if you can get other parents to contribute. The other completely perfect gifts is one the child chooses him or herself because it reminds themn of the teacher, or they believe the teacher will like. Several of my favorite gifts along this line are tree ornaments that have the child's name and a message and a tacky Christmas angel that a mother was actually emabrassed to give me but said her child insisted. I'm sure it's because he thought I was an angel!

Hi M.!

When I was teaching I always appreciated gift certificates to book stores or teacher stores. Teachers spend so much of their own money buying materials for their classrooms. I would spend between $10 and $20 depending on your budget, but if you have children who are in preschool and only attend a few days a week I would spend a bit less. I always gave the teacher and the assistant at my son's school a $10 or $15 gift certificate because the assistant was wonderful. It depends on how involved the assistant is. I hope this helps!

I give gift cards and a tiny personalized gift that my son makes for each teacher. He has a teacher and multiple assistants and other therapists. I give a gift to everyone in the classroom because I think it is rude to leave someone out. I also give a gift to any additional people who work with my son directly. I give the teacher and her main assistant a bigger gift than anyone else. I buy Kohl's gift cards for the teacher and her main aide, and then I buy smaller denomination Target gift cards for the others. Then, I buy one of the kits at Michaels that has wooden ornaments in it for my son to color for everyone. It is a nice personal touch, at pennies per ornament, but it means a lot to the teachers I am sure. Remember, it isn't the amount, it's the thought that counts.