I'm hoping you all can help me! Every year I have purchased gifts for everyone on my son's IEP team. Usually a general ed teacher, LRC teacher, Speech & Language Pathologist, OT, Social Worker and 2 para-professionals. I'm struggling with what to do this year for a couple of reasons. First, I've been working with an Advocate and the higher up's in order to write and implement a more appropriate IEP for my son. While I am close to his general ed and LRC teacher, there are still unpleasant feelings amongst many of the remaining team members and myself. I try to separate my feelings and do the gift giving for my son's sake. It's very important to him, that he be like his peers, and he realizes, mom normally gives gifts at Christmas. The second dilema I'm having is my financial situation. I'm a single mom, on Social Security Disability and this year, more so than most I am scrambling for a penny to purchase my two children something for Christmas. I am extremely depressed, but trying to hide it from the kids. Enough of that....
I'd like your opinion on the gift giving for school. This is a breakdown of the teachers for my son: Male general Ed teacher - age 31, Male LRC teacher - age 42ish. the rest are females: Speech, Social Worker, OT, 2 para-professionals. Who should I buy for and do you have suggestions for gifts??? My son is in 4th grade.
I also have a daughter in 2nd grade, so would need something for her teacher: female - age 30ish.
Thanks so much for you support!
M. M
Thanks to your feedback, I've decided to only purchase/give to my son's general Ed teacher and LRC teacher. In addition, I'll give to my daughters teacher. This will narrow my list down to 3 which will be a help. Now I'm in need of more help...both my son's teachers are men, and while I received some good ideas, I think they might be more suitable for women. What suggestions do you have for men?? I'll look for your help.
Thanks again.
M.
I agree with the cookies and dollar store mugs, I am too in the same place with money being tight. I would bake some cookies and get x-mas coffee cups from the dollar store and put the cookies in the cups. Wrap them in colored plastic wrap and tie it with string. It is the thought that counts, not the price on the tag!! Good Luck! And Happy Holidays!!
I have a VERY good recipe for homemade caramel corn I could share with you if you would like. It's been used in my family for four generations. It's not a terribly expensive recipe, and you could just put some in several of those oversized ziploc gift bags. Send me a private message if you want the recipe.
I agree with the food idea. Banana bread... or I have a great recipe for orange/cranberry bread. Cookies or something special like that. It's usually cheaper, especially for that many people and your kids could help you.
How about a dish of homemade cookies? Or a homemade pie? Your children could help you? I gave all the girls in the daycare christmas ornaments last year. This year we are giving them all handmade soap. If money is tight-- have the kids help make them somethings. I'm sure the teachers will appreciate the thought and the effort.
I was once a preschool teacher and some of the gifts the kids gave were incredible. I still have some. When shopping for teachers, we sometimes look at things and think they are too common or cheap, but it's so wrong. One of my favorite gifts ever was a coffee cup. I wasn't even a coffe drinker at the time. I am now... LOL I treasure that cup. I don't allow anyone in my house to use it but me. At Christmas time, some of the kids would give ornaments, some bought and some homemande..... very wonderful gifts. One student got me a book..... on different ways to papmer yourself. It was great! I still have all of those things all these years later. And sometimes, just a genuine hug at any time of year is great too! Don't for get that. Or a gunuine thank you from a parent who knows taht your eally do care about thier child.
S.
bronners has cute teacher ornaments just a thought good luck
My suggestion would be to purchase those round clear glass ornaments from the craft store and squirt paint inside for a swirly colorful ornamnent (you can find instruction sheets at the craft store). And your kids can do this, so it would be very personalized, your kids can pick out the color combos and then choose what one they want to give to each person. We had a great time doing them with my kids and they are absolutely beautiful.
My son has autism and attends half day in his IEP class and half day in a mainstreamed classroom, so I know all about having to buy for a lot of teachers on a small budget! One thing I wanted to mention, you shouldn't really feel obligated to buy for ALL on your son's IEP team (unless you really want to). I buy for his mainstream teacher, autism teacher, 3 aides that take turns attending to him in the mainstream class, 4 daycare aides and 2 bus drivers. I don't worry about his speech and occupational therapists as he only is with them once a week. Last year I purchased Christmas mugs at Joanne Fabrics (they were a dollar each), a box of "upscale" hot chocolate packages (which I got at target for around $5 for the box), and the little russell stover boxes of candy (the $1 size ones) for each mug. I wrapped a package of the hot chocolate, package of the candy, and a couple candy canes up with the mug and probably spent under $5 per person for a pretty decent gift!
Hi M.,
Perhaps you could check out your local dollar store. They sometimes carry seasonal merchandise that looks more expensive than it is. You may find ornaments, coffee mugs, picture frames, cadles, etc. You could even personalize the ornament or frame with a craft pen. Put it in a pretty gift bag or box from the dollar store and you will have a thoughtful and creative, yet inexpensive gift. Good luck!
I too am struggling with money and am on Social Security Disability for Lupus mainly. What I heard from a former teacher is that they get so many gifts it's hard to know what to give. This is new to me so last year after forgetting preschool teacher gifts I decided to wait until we returned to school in January and gave them each a New Year's gift. I think I might do this again. I gave cute tote bags I bought at a purse party for $10 each. The other thing I'm thinking to keep cost down is how about the children make the gifts (a craft, card, anything special). I'm no crafter so don't ask me for good ideas but there sure are women out there that would have great ideas. The dollar store idea (finding something that looks a little more expensive) is good also. I think my teacher friend mentioned she liked gift certificates to book stores, but that may be pricey.
