Christmas Gift for Kindergarten Teacher

I asked my mother-in-law this same question this past weekend, as she has been a teacher for over 30 years. While she said she always appreciated any gift, the ones that meant the most were ones that were personal and/or homemade. She said that she has received several gift cards to teaching supply stores, but she never gets around to using them until the beginning of the next school year. With that being said, she suggested a gift card to Starbuck's, Jamba Juice, a bagel shop, etc. that can be used on their way to school.

I was searching for a gift for my son's kindergarten teacher, so that is why I asked her. I plan on having my son decorate an altoid box and putting the gift card inside and then giving her a plate of homemade cookies,that I know she likes.

I teach Preschool and have loved gift cards. 'Teaching Stuff' is a good store! Even a Target gift card can be appreciated. I remember buying myself a cool in pool lounger at the end of a year with a gift card from a student and I remember which student it was from. I've also appreciated ornaments given to me in the past. However you can only display so much apple decor, no matter how cute it is.

Hi K.-
My daughter is a Kingergarten teacher and I know she would appreciate a gift card. She is always running over to the teaching tool/school supply store in Ahwahtukee to pick up stuff she needs.
S.

I am a preschool teacher and one of the best gifts I got last year was a gift card for a pedicure. I loved all the gift cards to the movies and eating out and stuff... they were awesome but I had never thought about giving a spa gift card... it was great and will do it with my own kids teachers from now on!!
Good luck :)

Hello K.,
As a kindergarten teacher, I think that would be a FABULOUS idea. I find myself constantly going to some teacher store for things that I need for the classroom. I applaud your idea and think that you are being so sweet thinking of your child's teacher.

:) A.

A gift card is an awesome idea. You would think that in our off time we wouldn't want to go near a "teaching store," but we love them...especially when we're spending someone else's money! Great idea!

Yes, I am a former teacher and a gift card to a supply store is a great idea. Even a gift card to an office supply store, a restaurant or Target! Another idea that I have been doing for a few years for my children's teachers is buying "Nanna's Apple Cake Mix" from Tastefully Simple. Their stuff is really easy to make and you generally only need 1-2 other things to mix in. I get a pretty basket from Michael's with a coupon, put the apple mix box in with two apples and it is a unique gift and goes with the "teacher, apple theme".

A gift certificate is always a great idea, but it doesn't necessarily have to be to a teachers store. I know I like to go get things at Walmart and Target, sometimes they are cheaper than teacher stores. Also it is nice to be able to get something you want and not necessarily something for your classroom. As teachers almost everything we get is somehow school related and once in awhile it is nice to get something that is not.

You can give them a Visa gift card that way they can spend on what they want and are not
obligated to spend for the supplies.

K.

Being in education for over 30 years I think I speak with authority on this subject. The teacher would love a gift card to a bookstore, teacher supply store or even an office supply store but the thing that would be most meaningful would be a note telling her you appreciate her hard work and that she's making a difference with your son. That, with or without a gift card, would be "the perfect gift".

Gift cards are a great idea! As a teacher my co-workers and I loved them. A specialty store or Target gift card was always treasured at my school. Merry Christmas.

That is a perfect gift. It was my favorite when I worked in the schools. The other thing we love this time of year are supplies like Tissue and hand sanitiser. Might I suggest going to CHASE and getting a chase Visa card that way she can shop where ever she needs to.

I think one of the best gift cards I got as a teacher was to the movie theater. It is always hard to find time to get out to the movies, so it is nice when you don't have to pay for it. By this time in the school year most of the supplies and stuff have already been bought so my suggestion for a gift card would be....movies, book store, Starbucks, target, dinner, something that she could use for herself and not just the classroom. Have a good Christmas!

Some schools have a teacher's wish book and it's were the teachers right things they would like to receive as a good.. you should ask your schools front office if they have this or mybe get them to start one for future but yes as a teacher myself a gift card to a teaching store is great or to bath & body works I like so I can pamoper myself after a long day..

As a teacher myself a gift card would be wonderful. There s great teaching store called Teaching Stuff with multiple locations. Also, I know it may sound funny, but a walmart or target gift card would be great as well. Those two stores are some of my favorites for things for my classroom

I was a 5th grade teacher. I have to admit that the greatest gifts were $. Gift cards are nice, but it limits you where you can go. I know people often don't like giving $ as a gift because they think it is thoughtless (my father feels this way,) but I have to say it's the most appreciated gift in my book, as it gives the flexibility to use it as needed. What a kind thing for you to do for your son's teacher. Happy Holidays!

As a teacher I liked getting gift cards to teacher supply stores. I have colleagues who didn't like that as much because they felt like the gift was for the classroom, not for them. It just depends on the person. My favorite gifts over the years were massage gift certificates, book store gift certificates, and because I love coffee anything that involved coffee was a hit. :) Good luck with your shopping!

I taught junior high for 8 years. I definitely would have appreciated gift cards for supplies. However, I rarely purchased my supplies from teacher supply stores. I bought many of my supplies at the grocery store, Target or Walmart. A kindergarten teacher may get more supplies from a teacher store however so not sure if this is helpful or not.

Kristen,
I am not a teacher but my sister is and the gift card is the perfect gift. They don't need any mugs, ornaments or pictures of the kids. That is what yearbooks are for. The gift card is so useful all year long. You have made a wonderful choice. Happy Holidays to you!
J.

Yes! I spent so much of my own money on my classroom... gift cards were definitely appreciated, and one to a teacher supply store would have been at the top of my list. Not sure where you are at, but if you're in Tucson, Jonathan's is a fantastic store. :-)

I worked in an ADK classroom for two years. You wouldn't believe the money a teacher spends to buy supplies needed. A gift card was ALWAYS appreciated by teacher. I would recommend a VISA gift card so that he/she can use it anywhere.

H. M.

I would vote to get something for the teacher rather then the classroom.
Gift certificates are nice, however in the present economy we just don't know what businesses will be around in the future.
I give our teachers each a bottle of wine for the holidays, each year they are awaiting the gift and tell me it's their favorite. One of the teachers does not drink wine yet he likes to have it at his house for when guests come to visit.

the teacher store in town is "learning is fun"... spent a lot of money there!

I think you can go ahead and get her some supplies but in the end, they arent for her they are for the classroom. A gift card to target or a food place would probalby be nicer

Hi K.,

I am a former kinder-teacher and YES a gift card would be a wonderful gift. It could be from a teacher supply store or even an office supply store. A no-cost gift that would be very much appreciated is a gift of your time. Help with class activities, or schedule a regular time you can come in each week. If you cannot be at the school, offer to cut things out or see if there are some other things you could do from home. It could save the teacher countless hours she spends on the weekends preparing for the class.

great idea. I used to teach K. i would have loved that.

I have older kids not, middle school age, but when they were younger I would always give a more personal gift. I would find out the teachers likes and then go from there. I think a gift to anyone but especially a teacher that is from the heart and has had time put into picking it out or making it is best. It shows the teacher that you really care and appreciate them for being a great person in your childs life.

I know that times are hard right now and gift cards would be nice, but instead of giving supplies and such for the holidays, can I suggest that you let the teacher know that you can help her throughout the year with supplies. My kids' teachers always appreciated it when I came in and asked if there is something that they need for the class. Then you can always find it on sale and just send it in. I would randomly send in bags of supplies and the teachers loved it. I hate thinking that the teachers have to spend their own money on things, it's just not right. So you can help them year round by just being kind and spending a few dollars here and there.

Now that my kids are older, I send their teachers baked goods for the holidays and pack them in a resuable container. Last year and I think this year it will be granola. It was a big hit last year and its a gift from the heart.

Good Luck :)

W.

I'm not a teacher:) but we get our girls teachers Starbucks cards that are custom designed on the Starbucks website www.starbucks.com/mycard. You can create all different cards- we always make it to look like their teachers and the teachers can reload them forever! They're a huge hit at the school!! Good luck!

As a former teacher, now SAHM, I would have loved to get a gift card that I could have used for supplies. Try to stay away from the usual candles, candy, ornaments, and teachery stuff. The thought is always nice but we tend to get so much of that stuff throughout the years and don't know what to do with a lot of it. Places like Lakeshore, Teaching Stuff, or even Target or Walmart are great places for teachers to get supplies. Another thing that is always nice is Bath and Body Works since we rarely take the time to pamper ourselves! HOpe this helps, happy holidays!