Christmas Gifts for Teachers

Our boys are attending Kindergarten this year. I was wondering if you give a gift to their teachers. Do you actually buy a gift, or give them a gift card? If you buy an actual gift, what are some good ideas? If you give them a gift card, how much is an appropriate amount?

Looking forward to hearing some of your answers. Thank you!

 

I usually give a gift at the Holidays, and then a gift card at the end of the year (usually one parent collects for the class). One gift that I given that the teachers like is the Pampered Chef trivet (it doesn't hurt that I sell it). They generally like it because it has a use, and is pretty. It also only costs $12--$2 of which is donated to the Second Harvest Food bank.

 

This year I'm giving the teachers super soft socks from Bath and Body Works, a card with a Holiday CD inside, and a blown glass ornament.

 

I just replied to a thread along these lines in the PC. Heres an edited version for here.

I love getting gift cards. Anything from $5 to $10 is fine, especially in coffee cards.

A favourite one was a big popcorn bowl with a box of microwave corn, rasinettes, bottle of pop and a movie rental certificate.

My mom babysat and she still uses a teapot that was given to her by a family of 3 girls (now 13-17) each girl used a different colour paint and fingerprinted all over it. Their mother then did the baking thing and its permenent.

Big advise against mugs. I have so many mugs its not funny.

 

Oh my goodness. I am so glad I asked you. I JUST got an email from the room rep asking for ideas. So, I used some of your ideas above. Thank you. Let me know if you come up with any more.

Kendra, do you think a shutterfly photo book with pictures of the teacher and her kids so far would be appreciated, or do you think something that would be more useful (like gift certificates) would be better?

 

I think a shutterfly book would probably be a better end of the year gift. (would it be a classroom group gift?) You could do a small photo album though.

I would totally go for gift card. Maybe to a resturant, teacher store or even Target if you don't want to go the coffee shop route.

 

I usually give tim hortons gift cards with a can of hot chocolate.

 

QUOTE(j&jtwins @ Dec 4 2008, 01:06 AM) [snapback]1096273[/snapback]
I usually give tim hortons gift cards with a can of hot chocolate.


I like this totally Canadian gift! That's what I gave last year.

This year, I bought little things for the volunteers that do kiss n' ride and the volunteer in their classroom as well. I bought little hand sanitizer and hand cream for the volunteers and a mug and warm vanilla sugar lotion for their teacher.

 

I am giving their teacher some Lindor Truffels and a GC probably from Target or office supply store.

The aid is getting some Lindor chocolate Angels.


Which thankfully we all on sale prior to Thanksgiving!

 

We don't have an aide in the classrooms here. It's just mom volunteers. Do you buy something for the room parent?

 

I love gift cards but our kids don't usually give them (urban district). $5 is just fine IMO. I am getting my son's teacher a $10 gift card to DD and a perpetual calendar.

 

Thanks for starting this discussion. I never know what to get my sons teacher for Christmas. So let me ask you a question...he is in the 4th grade and he has a homeroom teacher and then he has 2 other teachers. Do you get them all something or just his homeroom teacher?

Also do you get your daycare workers something as well? If so who do usually buy for and what do you usually get them?

 

We only do his classroom teacher but John also have a few other teachers which he makes a nice card for.

 

I always bake and send a treat. We usually do gingerbread men and each child decorates a special cookire for their teacher.

Cindy

 

I give a nicer or more expensive gift to their homeroom teachers, and then something simple like a $5.00 starbucks card to the following: PE teacher, music teacher, librarian, school nurse, spanish teacher, computer teacher, head of school, and principal. Oh, and Piano and violin teachers get something too. I guess I'll get something for the Karate master as well this year.(their first year)
As an outclass or enrichment teacher myself, I always appreciated ornaments from students. I still have some from 16 years ago that say the student's name on the back and the year.

Giftcards are always welcome!!!!!

 

QUOTE
I always appreciated ornaments from students. I still have some from 16 years ago that say the student's name on the back and the year.


Just make sure the teacher puts up a tree. I have been given many ornaments--from when I taught in GA, and I don't put up a tree. Partially because I am not Christian--although DH is, but also because we always go to the IL's house in SC, and we are never home on Christmas.

 

QUOTE(Tripsmommy @ Dec 4 2008, 04:17 PM) [snapback]1097909[/snapback]
I give a nicer or more expensive gift to their homeroom teachers, and then something simple like a $5.00 starbucks card to the following: PE teacher, music teacher, librarian, school nurse, spanish teacher, computer teacher, head of school, and principal. Oh, and Piano and violin teachers get something too. I guess I'll get something for the Karate master as well this year.(their first year)
As an outclass or enrichment teacher myself, I always appreciated ornaments from students. I still have some from 16 years ago that say the student's name on the back and the year.

Giftcards are always welcome!!!!!


Eeeek...I never even thought about the "specials" teachers.
Maybe, next year. It is too tight this year....**sigh**

 

QUOTE(Cindy H @ Dec 4 2008, 02:39 PM) [snapback]1097463[/snapback]
I always bake and send a treat. We usually do gingerbread men and each child decorates a special cookire for their teacher.

Cindy


had to mention your siggy. Happy birthday, to your boys!!!

 

QUOTE(Kendra @ Dec 3 2008, 05:49 PM) [snapback]1096115[/snapback]
I love getting gift cards. Anything from $5 to $10 is fine, especially in coffee cards.

A favourite one was a big popcorn bowl with a box of microwave corn, rasinettes, bottle of pop and a movie rental certificate.

Big advise against mugs. I have so many mugs its not funny.


My friend has done the popcorn bowl one and it was a hit. I think a $5 - 10 gift card is nice.


Hi Tula!!! :hug:

 

QUOTE(sharongl @ Dec 4 2008, 05:54 PM) [snapback]1097940[/snapback]
Just make sure the teacher puts up a tree. I have been given many ornaments--from when I taught in GA, and I don't put up a tree. Partially because I am not Christian--although DH is, but also because we always go to the IL's house in SC, and we are never home on Christmas.


I've always happened to attend and/or teach in either Catholic schools or presently a Christian school, so that didn't come to mind. oops.