What are you giving teachers this year?

Question

Is there a special gift that you give that your kids teachers really enjoy? I'd love some new ideas.

Answer 1

I read somewhere that at the beginning of the school year a parent put together a survey for all her children's teachers asking what kind of gifts they liked (favorite colors, favorite candy, favorite bath product store, etc.) and then distributed the completed survey to all the parents in her children's classes. This is an idea you might want to consider for next year, as it would help you to customize your Christmas gifts to the teacher's individual tastes.

For this year, though, here are the gifts that I (as a first-grade teacher) would most like to receive:

-- gift certificate to a teacher store, craft supply store, or bookstore (I know it seems like it wouldn't be a gift for us, but we spend SO much of our own money on class supplies.)

-- gift certificate to Starbucks or other nearby restaurant/cafe where I can grab a quick lunch or grade papers after school

-- gift certificate to a nice clothing store (like Macy's)

-- hand-written note from the child or parent expressing appreciation

-- a set of kitchen towels or some other useful household item

-- something consumable (wine, candles, fancy chocolate, bath products, stationery -- although you have to be careful with this one, as some teachers may not drink or may be picky about certain scented products -- you may want to ask in advance if a teacher likes something)

We get so many mugs and magnets that say "World's Best Teacher" and the like -- we really don't need any more.

Answer 2

I am the room mother for my 5 year old AND my 10 year old,so I plan 2 parties for each holiday.

What I got my 5 year old's teacher this year is a glass pencil holder with her name engraved on it. I got my 10 year old's teacher a make-up set including a personalized make-up bag.

Now my 12 year old daughter is in Middle School, but the 6th grade is seperated into two teams: the Rainbow Team and the Orange Team. My daughter is on the Rainbow Team, so what I did was get the Rainbow Team teachers all a day off by giving the girl teachers a gift card to the spa and giving the men teachers a giftcard to the golf club(they all love golfing).

Answer 3

Just thought I'd add something. I was a teacher, and totally loved any gesture or gift from kids through the year.
But here I am, all these years later, and every Christmas when I decorate the tree, there are lovely ornaments which students gave me through the years - and I remember who gave each and every one! Received a few other decorations as well, not just ornaments, and I use all of them.
I love it when the child chooses the gift - really! Anything from the dollar store, REALLY - from the corniest to the cutest.

Answer 4

We give each of my children's teachers a fleece blanket. The kids choose the fabric and I sew up the blanket. It's a tradition now. Since my son has split classes (k/1, 2/3) the teachers get a blanket he picks out the first year and something else my son picked out the next year (like a scarf, pin or ornament).

Answer 5

Our school just had a book fair and each of my kids picked out a book the teachers had on their wish list. Better to get them things that they have asked for rather than stuff they don't need.

Answer 6

Write a letter to their principal, school board, legislatures, on what a terrific job they are doing and how much you appreciate it. Or even a ltter to the editor. You here so much crappy stories out there, id be great to be a good one.

Plus as a parent to a toddler, Id say "wow, my kid should go to that school with that great teacher" and I will then vote yes to raise my taxes on educational spending!

Seriously, wouldnt this mean alot to you. Also include something from your kid like a special memory from the class. Plus a pay raise or great appraisal would mean more to me then a $5 gc to starbucks.

Answer 7

Since I cant go shopping, due to being so preggie with twins, we are giving gift cards to the teaching stores in town. We are also including a gift card to Dunkin Donuts with it.

Answer 8

I always send fresh supplies so those expenses do not come out of his/her pocket. I always buy a big batch of stickers. Most teachers buy those rewards out of their pockets. I buy certificates and other things at Oriental Trading that stocks them up for awhile. Plus, I like some of the goodies myself.

Answer 9

Candles,candle warmer,ornament with their name on it,or worlds best nurse,her favorite snack,candy,chocolate,gift mug with hot coco, and gift card!!

Answer 10

nothin i hate my teachers!