X-mas Presents for Teachers

I was a teacher and of all the gifts I received, a Block Buster gift card was always used right away. 10$ is plenty!...it's the thought that counts. :o)
Also, a really nice one was a small Christmas plate with homemade cookies that were made by my student and her mom. Yum! I still have and use the plate.

Hi...as a teacher, I never expect gifts for the holidays. It is also tough for teachers when parents ask...so I am always honest with them and I tell them that I like Borders or Barnes and Noble gift cards.

Hi Nancy.
You can have David paint a small pot and write on it in paint pen "Thank you for helping me grow. Love-David" right on the pot. Then you can put a packet of seeds in the pot. Herbs are great because you can easily grow them indoors, any time of year.
Good Luck
-V.

I'm a teacher and I don't know any teachers who would complain or think that a $10 gift card is tacky. Most of us spend lots of money on our classrooms, so a teacher store or Target gift certificate is great.

If you're still really concerned about looking tacky or not wanting the teacher to have to kick in her own money, a $10 gift card to Starbucks, Panera, etc. is a nice idea. You know at Target or whereever, it's hard to only spend $10. But at Panera or Starbucks, you know they can probably use the gift card 2 or 3 times without spending their own money. Heck, I've even gotten $5 gift cards to Panera and been thrilled.

Here are a few things we typically get a LOT of, so you may want to avoid these unless you know they're really needed or useful to this particular teacher: coffee mugs (filled with whatever), candles, knick-knack type things (especially stuff with apples and #1 teacher), bath & body stuff (I have sensitive skin and couldn't use or didn't like most of what was given to me), food or candy (unless you know it's their favorite).

Remember, 25 kids a year x 10 years of teaching makes for way more coffee mugs or #1 teacher ornaments than any one person can store or use. So consumable gifts or things for the classroom are always appreciated. I honestly wished more parents would have given me stuff for the classroom, especially when I was a newer teacher and really needed stickers, games, prizes, etc.

lotions are good, i was thinking of doing that for my daughters teacher this year.

A gift card to blockbuster with a bag of popcorn would be nice and $10 would not seem tacky in that case.

My kids preschool teachers always loved......I would make sugar cookies, then have my kids frost them themselves.....

I'm a piano teacher... and often get small gifts from students..

I don't think $10 is tacky and honestly I'd prefer a gift card and homemade card from the kids than food (just cause this time of year it is REALLY hard to resist all the wonderful food).

Perhaps a place like Panera or Caribou coffee would be a better option than Target.. although Target is practical..

I think teachers don't EXPECT any gift (or in my opinion they shouldn't) so a gift is a gift.. it's a wonderful token of appreciation and all would be appreciated.

Nancy ~
Is there a Home Goods store in your area? It's part of the TJ Max chain of stores, but only stuff for your house. They have alot of really cute things and the prices are pretty good.
Also, check JoAnn Fabrics, alot of times they have stuff on clearance that would work. We got alot of stuff there for my step-daughter's wedding shower gifts.
D.

As a teacher trust me $10 gift cards are great!! I loved getting gift cards for coffee shops like Panera, or Starbucks, even Tim Hortons. Don't forget there are lots of families who can't afford to do anything for their children's teachers. Teachers will appreciate anything given even if its just a card. Good luck

You could do $10 to a place like Starbucks

I have two kids, ages 9 and 11 who were in daycare when they were younger. Back then, and even now for their school teachers, I give gift cards. Depending on how many teachers I have to buy for, I have done $10. They appreciate the thought and are grateful for whatever amount is received, especially in this economy.

A gift card is not tacky at all. My sister and a friend of mine is a teacher. Although they do appreciate the gifts people purchase for them, it is often items they can't use or don't like. My friend has very strong allergies and parents seem to always buy her soaps, lotions, candles, all things she ends up re-gifting anyway because she can't use them. One year she got place mats. Although they were nice, they don't match anything in her house. I say go with the gift card - they will LOVE that you care enough to just let them pick out what they need or want. Often the teachers end up using the money or gift cards to purchase something for their classroom.

A friend told me last year that she gets big caramel apples from Kilwins for teacher gifts. I thought that was cute and would be a fun "teacher themed" gift.

If you want to do a gift card, you can go thru my web site www.marketamerica.com/thevoiceoftruth and buy gift cards from resturants.com (there is a link at the top of my page for gift cards) and get $25 gift certificates for $10 a lot of the time! Great idea! Good for you, good for them!

S.

Who doesn't go to Target. I think that's a fine idea. Note cards is also good but I think Target is a really good idea inside a pretty Christmas card.

I think it is fine to give a gift card for $10, but it needs to be at a place where $10 could be used, such as Starbuck's, or Subway.

Nancy,

I have did this last year. I have 3 teachers last year ( 2 preschool and 1 speech) , they all liked it. I also gave them towels that my sister in law made but cost wise was free. I think teachers might get gifts they do not know what to do with, so this way they can get whatevery they want and will like it. I am doing then same thing this year since now I am up to 5 teachers. I also did the gift card thing for the end of the year gift.

Hope this helps.
H.

Hi Nancy,
As someone who works in the schools, I can tell you that a $10 gift card would be very appreciated. Honestly, it is great that you are even thinking about getting the teachers a gift since many families don't. The gift card will allow the teacher to spend it the way she wants instead of some gift that only adds to clutter. I'm a speech pathologist in the schools and my husband is a teacher...we really feel bad after Christmas when we end up throwing all kinds of stuff away that were given as gifts because our house just can't handle any more things that we're not going to use. We have enough mugs, ornaments, decorations, candy bowls..etc. A gift card (even for $5) is a great idea and would be greatly appreciated. Also, the people who recommended items for the classroom are on target as well. We do spend lots of our own money on that stuff.

Nancy,

For my daughter's 1st grade class another mother came up with the idea of everyone contributing $10 or what they can afford to one gift certificate at Partridge Creek. I thought this was a great idea as it wasn't telling everyone what you were spending and it combines everything as one BIG present (26 kids in the class).

Nancy,

Both of my parents were teachers for over 25 years and by far their favorite gift was a gift card. There are only so many candles, bath products, and christmas decorations a person can use. Ten dollars is much appreciated and is not considered cheap at all. My mom loved to get Panera Bread, any coffee or sandwich shop or department store gift card. I wouldn't recommend a superstore like Wal-mart or Target though. My mom just used those as a coupon for her regular shopping. I also wouldn't give them a gift card to a teachers store, it is a gift for them not the school? right? My mom's second favorite gift was home-made baked cookies and candies. She would arrange all the goodies she had been given on a platter and serve it during our holiday parties. This meant she didn't have to do any baking! Choose a cookie or candy that stays fresh for a while (ex. fudge, brittle, chocolate covered anything) It also helps if you give it in a zip lock bag in a tin to help it stay fresh longer.

Go online to Bronner's. they have tree ornaments that honor teachers. Great place for personalizing stuff.

Hi Nancy,
I'm an elementary school teacher and I think that a $10 gift card is a great gift. Don't worry, it doesn't look tacky at all. It's greatly appreciated.
Jen

$10 is not tacky at all!!!!
I used to teach preschool art and received all kinds of gifts. and honestly I couldn't complain about any!
But what I always do for my kids teachers is buy a tim hortens or dunkin donughts plastic travel mug and put a $5 gift dollars from the store inside. the store will give them a discount with every fill up they get in there mug!! teachers always like coffee and caffeine in the morning! just put in a paper lunch bag that your little one decorates festively!!!

I am a teacher and a gift card for $10 is awesome! Another thing we like is a donation of something for the classroom like books, a game, dress up clothes, or something that you could ask that they could use. Also, an idea is anything that is consumable! That way they can use and it it won't take up space afterwards or be a dust collector. Another great idea is to donate the money to an organization in their name and let them know. Don't know if you have heard of Mercy Health Partners in Muskegon has a pediatric teddy bear program where you can donate $20 in someone's name of memory. They use the money to purchase teddy bears to give to any pediatric patient to help calm their fears. My son received one when he was in the hospital.

Being a teacher I say gift cards are great! Target or a restaurant is good!

My husband is a teacher. Yes, $10 gift card looks cheap. I understand wanting to only to spend that much, trust me. You would be better off just buying something for $10 rather than a gift card. Try the flower factory, they give anyone a membership now (free) they have some awesome stuff, for super cheap.
My husband loves gift cards to the teacher store, the movies, and pretty much any restaurant. The movies is great because you can spend $20 or so.

No mugs, ties, ornaments, cookies (unless you have an awesome recipe).

Hope this helps.

Gift card is not tacky--it gives a person a choice. As a former teacher, the last item I needed was another gift mug, Add a bag of homemade cookies and copy of a hand drawn picture from your child with each gift card to personalize it.

A gift card to border's book store or something else would be a good idea. That way they can pick something up for themselves.

My husband and son are 'David's' also. In the spirit of an apple for the teacher I happened to see some one selling big gourmet candy apples on tv. They used carmel sauce and mini chips and cookie bits. Although it would be less than $10.00 each to buy I thought that's something I could do myself. Gifting on a budget this year means we will be improvising!!!!! Good luck!

Last year I gave all of my kids teachers a gift card to Panera Bread for $10.00 I figured I could at least buy them lunch for one day! I think $10.00 is better than nothing especially after taking care of our kids after all day! If they drink coffee you could get them a Starbuck's/Tim Horton's gift card and buy them coffee for a few mornings :)
(I like to get these because they will spend it on themselves and not the classroom or their family)

My mom and sister are both teachers and they love gift cards! $10 is appreciated just as much as a larger amount. Their favorites are to coffee shops, restaurants, Panera, Barnes and Noble. It's way better than getting another mug or sweets. :)

As a former preschool teacher.... gift card - great!

No mugs or christmas ornaments. Teachers get tons of them!

I used to be a techer and I would love gift cards! But I would do Target unless there is a teacher store close to you. I also loved candles or a neat orniment special from the student. Good luck!

Hi,
My two favorite gifts for teachers are gift cards or homemade goodies. I am very practical and would rather receive a gift I can use. Target is very practical, but perhaps not as unique. I favor gift caqrds from the local bookstore because I enjoy browsing in bookstores, it feels like a treat to buy myself something and many items are $10-$15- they also sell CD's, gift items and have a cafe. Starbucks is also a favorite.
To add the personal touch be sure to make the card with your preschoolers.
It is great that you are remembering the teachers and putting so much thought into the gift!

I'm a speech pathologist in the schools. I get a ton of candles and lotion sets. Something cheaper that is nice is to get a book for the classroom library and you could put a name plate sticker on the inside with your son's name and the year he was in her classroom. At my school, we aren't allowed to accept personal gifts over $10, but if they are for the classroom it is allowed.

Hope that helps a little.
C.

I was a teacher for a few years and a gift card is just awesome. Everyone LOVES Target and it would be greatly appreciated Im sure.
One thing...You can always personalize it buy adding a cute ornament on the gift....I have found em on sale now for next to nothing. That would be really cute and cheap as well!
I dont understand why people put a price on giving anyway....its always the thought that counts for me! :)

Hello Nancy,
Do something that has to do with baking, A pan, wooden spoon, one of your favorite cake /cookie/brownie recipes. Wrapped in a nice cloth napkin.

Oh great, now my (3) boys want breakfast, I will try to write more later,
Good LUck, CIndy

Dear Nancy!

You have gotten some FABULOUS advice!! $10 is absolutely a fine amount. We have given gift cards to our 2 pre-school teachers individually (they have taught my 2 older kids and are now on child 3!!) and there have also been Christmases where the pre-school parents have pooled the the money they would have given each teacher and gotten 2 larger gift cards for each teacher.

Also, having been a music teacher... I ALWAYS enjoy the spirit of giving.. but occasionally I feel like there are just only so many things with notes and treble clefs on them that one person can have!!! (I think some teachers feel similarly about apples :-)

Hope this helps!
Merry Christmas!
B.

Nancy,

I have 5 boys 4 of whom are in school. What I like to do is ask each teacher what they need for the classroom. It really helps them if you could get things they need, as a lot of teachers will buy supplies and such out of their own money.

This year I got my sons 5th grade teacher a science board game that she wanted. My sons first grade teacher is getting some classroom books (she requested something along the lines of natural science ie animal books or plant books etc) and for my sons Y-5 teacher a nice DVD for the classroom as she is trying to build her classroom library and phase out the VHS tapes.

Something else I have done in past years is at back to school time I stock up on markers, colored pencils, folders, notebooks, crayons, etc. when they are super cheap. Then at Christmas have just given the large box of supplies, that also seemed very much appreciated.

Hi Nancy O! I couldn't help but to respond to your question. I am not a teacher, but have several relatives and friends that are. 1st, I don't think a $10 gift would be too little. Most people are having to cut dowm on "Christmas spending." (And, I don't mean that $10 is cutting down! :) 2nd, the idea of a gift card to Target or the teacher store would be great. My 'Teacher Friends' sometimes have to use so much of their money for simple classroom necessities. I can't tell you how much they appreciate getting things from the teacher store or similiar things that they use in class, for the students benefits. I have an aunt that teaches and for years she has said that she has more Christmas ornaments than she could EVER use. (In fact, there have been times when myself and other family members "shopped" through all of her Teacher Presents to re-gift to our children's teachers!! Sounds so TACKY!!!! But, she had an excess and new what the teachers would need/want/ appreciate!! Another idea-if you really like the teacher- A gift Certificate to a Salon/Spa. Maybe you could get together with other mothers, and several $10 gift cards would add up to some much needed pampering!(manicures, pedicures, massages.... Have a Merry Christmas!!

Spa gifts are wonderful for teachers! I shop online with a fantastic, mom-owned company called The Happy Soul. They have loads of bath/spa items, most completely natural and VERY affordable! Several gift ideas for $15 or under. They are at www.thehappysoul.com if you are interested. Good luck!
K.

Hi Nancy,

I was a preschool teacher for years. Thn I was a stay at home mom, and this year I returned to the teaching field. My favorite gift was always a gift certificate or a home made treat with the recipe attached.

Hope that helps.
PS. I got my kids teacher each a @10 certificate to Panera Bread last year.

R.

Hi nancy!
my daugther was in preschool last year. We got them coffee mugs and worlds greatest teacher book marks. you can find the coffee mugs at the dollar store and the book marks at Borders! hope this helps!

nancy being a mother of five from the age of three to 18 that leave alot of teachers so what i do is bake i will do big plate of cookie or a real nice cake it right befor break there is always a party to go to and what better to show you care then some homemade love i bake alot of cookie and cake my kids love it and so do there teachers my one daughter teacher from afew year ago asked how many more year befor the baby would be in her class and laugh

A gift card to Bath and Body Works is alway really nice or to Borders. This is from a teacher. Also no coffee cups or cocoa, we get a ton of that. Homemade treats are always a good thing.

As a former teacher, myself, I always appreciated gift cards. A gift is a gift no matter the amount. I wouldn't consider $10 tacky especially with the economy the way it is.

Nancy, A gift certificate is NOT Tacky, especially if you are not sure what to get them. (no offense meant) but they would rather have that than a gift they can't use. Some other ideas... a homemade fruit basket, a tray of christmas cookies, a G/S for the movie theatre, or Blockbuster (or a place like that)Bed and bath, or donate to an organization in their name.
Please, childcare providers/teachers are great people, and I bet would appreciate any gift! K.
Childcare provider/teacher for 30 years! Mom of 5!

My kid's teachers loved something for the classroom, a floor puzzle, a book etc. Sometimes they send home a classroom wish list or you could ask them. The gift card also works. They have families and know how the expensive this time of year can be. $10 is not tacky. Hope this helps

Hi Nancy - I really think it's better to give a Target gift card for $10 than something that they won't find useful. Preschool teachers don't get paid much and I think it would be so much more helpful to have a card from a store where they could get anything they need. It's not tacky at all! Good luck - Alison

Speaking as a teacher froma family of teachers... $10 is just as appreciated as any other gift. I promise it's not tacky! Your two choices of Target and The Teacher Store are wonderful and useful. Other appreciataed options include homemade items like cookies and candies. I think the fact that you even think of your teachers during the holidays will makes them feel special.

a gift card is great... (way better than a knick knack). if you don't want to do Target or a store, give them a treat they may not be able to do for themselves... Like Starbucks or Panera Bread, that way they aren't just buying their cleaning supplies, but they are getting a treat!

Every year I make a donation in honor of my children's teacher to a charity - usually one that is involved with children (Make-A-Wish, St.Judes, etc). The gift card does not say how much you spent, only that a donation was made in honor of them. Years when we have extra money, I make a larger donation. Years when we don't have much, I make a smaller donation. It's not based on how much, - it just shows them you care. Teachers have tons of nick nack presents, why not give a gift that helps someone? If you would like to get them a GIFT, you can find out what they might need for their classroom.

I have 5 teachers/bus drivers to buy for, and I buy Pampered Chef Dots Cups and More(set of 2), pair one with a small Bamboo Spoon, a Sprinkle(choose from Sweet Mocha hazelnut Sprinkle, Sweet Caramel or Sweet Cinnamon) and either coffee, tea, or hot chocolate packets. I got it mostly free so it didn't cost me much at all! But I can get you a discount, if you are interested, email me ____@____.com
Also, I always think that gift cards are tacky and never ever give them out to anyone!

As a former teacher...$10 is plenty...I got gift cards in the $5 range sometimes and never thought anything less...it's the thought that counts, and a personal gift card is great. I stopped teaching 2 years ago and still have lotion and candles and the like I got from students as gifts...a gift card is great. Maybe have your child color in the card and write a nice personal note saying some of the specifics you enjoy about each teacher. Gift cards are great for Target, Tim Hortons...whatever!

I also do $10. My son only has one teacher but my dtr has 2 teacher's in the am and 2 teacher's in the pm. SO that is $40 just for my dtr teachers. I figure if they are really in it to teach our children and follow their passion, then shame on them for thinking $10 is cheap. I certainly don't get gift cert's for Christmas and I'm in health care, helping to heal people. So I think the gift cert is nice but more important, it's the appreciation the teacher should like not the amount of money!!

My hubby is a teacher. They LOVE gift cards! Even a small amount is appreciated. Way better than a christmas coffee mug. If $10.00 is what you want to spend, i would suggest something like Starbucks (can get 3 or 4 cups of coffee), blockbuster (will get at least 2 movie rentals), car washes, subway. There are lots of good places that you can actually get a lot for 10 bucks. Ask your child to make their own card for the teacher to add an extra special touch. Don't worry, the teachers will love it. Good Luck.

$10.00 is very generous, what did you give before you cut back? $5.00 is the standard around me, $10.00 is the max. For some of my children's teacher's we colllect from the class and give a group gift certificate, other's are individual gifts. Coffee houses, Barnes & Noble, Border's, Target, these are all of the places that we give gift certificates for. Group certificates sometimes we give to a mall. Also, teacher's don't expect a gift, a note of appreciation, homemade gifts like food, these are all acceptable. Sorry to your sister, I have to disagree with her, you are on the right track!

Hi Nancy
I ama teacher and I woudl apreciate a gifr card for $10 and would not think for a minute that it was tacky. Honestly, if Dollar Tree does gift does gift cards that would be great too. I use Dollar Tree for tons of classroom supplies.

If the teacher likes coffee a gift card for starbucks, caribou or 7-11 would be great, too.

Honestly, a nice, heartfelt note/card with it means more to me than any gift. It is just nice to have a parent acknowledge that I am doing my best to provide their child with a happy educational experience!

Nancy,

Yes. gift cards are o.k but It only shows you didn't put any personal thought into the gift. One gift I believe you can't go wrong with is something for your childs classroom. Teachers are on a tight budget also have your child make a homemade holiday card, personal touches are always nice.
" No candy please" haha
Good luck,
L.

I made the teachers cookies in that past, or maybe a coffee mug filled with candy. How about a Christmas ornament?

As a former teacher, I can tell you gift cards in any amount are always appreciated. A note of thanks from you and a picture from your child are great ways to make the gift more personal.

Hi Nancy I had the same issue last year and I took my son to the store and he picked out a Christmas ornament for each of them and we wrote his name and the year on the bottom. I thought it was a way they could remember hima s well everytime they put it on their trees. I think I paid $7.00 each for them.

It looks like you've had many great responses. I just wanted to add that I am also a preschool teacher and completely understand that money is tight. First of all, the teacher should not expect something from the families and I personally do not sit there and tally who gave gifts and who did not. As far as $10 being too little - not at all. Actually I got a $5 bookstore gift certificate last year and thought that was very nice. I could use it then for myself or to go towards a book for the classroom. Also, if your preschool is grant run, maybe you could get all the parents to pitch in $5 and present it for classroom use. I would LOVE that! and it only cost $5! Money is tight for teachers too and we understand. Another cost saving idea would be to make an ornament or if you are making holiday cookies, put together a small tin. Hope this helps.

I bought $10 gift cards from Paneras for my daughter's daycare teachers, which were a hit! They went over much better than the teacher ornaments I had bought in previous years. I also was concerned that $10 was too little, but when I asked our daycare director, she said that was a perfectly appropriate amount! The teachers didn't expect to get anything (as many parents don't give a gift), and it wasn't too much to feel embarrassed.

I'm with the other moms. A gift card for $10 to a coffee shop or bookstore is a great idea. That is actually what I planned on doing for the teachers at my son's daycare/preschool also.

There was only one negative response on here that indicated that $10 looks cheap. I am happy that she can afford to splurge on her husband's teacher salary. Teachers of all people usually understand the need to be frugal and appreciate any thoughtful gesture. Just my opinion.

T.

I don't think a $10 gift card is tacky. And I am sure the teachers understand that money is tight as well. I have triplets in 1st grade (each in a seperate class), there would be no way I could afford to get each teacher a $20 gift card. I got their kindergarten teacher gifts from the gift tree for the classroom last year and a $10 gift card to Tim Hortons. Which is where she wanted because her favorite food is coffee as she told my daughter when she asked. lol

Nancy, I, too, wanted to get something for the teachers and other support staff at my daughter's school. Although, I will probably add something small additionally for the teachers, I am getting the support staff a $5.00 or $10.00 gift card to cold stone creamery.....That will cover an ice cream dessert, depending , of course, on the size they choose. It is just a token gift but you would not need one very large to that particular place, as that amount will be enough to make a purchase of just about anything there. Hope this helps....R..