Teacher Gifts - Cheshire, MA

I don't know what others suggest but giftcards are always great. I was a preschool teacher and loved them even if it were just five dollars to DD or starbucks. I know people try but dust collectors and more lotion that doesn't get used are a waste. If there are a bunch of people you'd like to thank I know edible arrangments went over great. Good luck!

I'm a preschool teacher and I have to admit gift certificates are my favorite gifts. As cute as some of the gifts may be if I kept every #1 Teacher mug, magnet etc my home would be filled with them. Scholastic Book Club has GCs so a teacher so can expand their classroom book selection which is great.

Hi J.,

I know you are receivig great answers, but I am writing just to say "Thank You!" for being so thoughtful. As someone who has worked in a team of teachers, we always appreciated the parents who included every team member in their gift-giving, not just the lead or favorite staff members. Folks like you make life beautiful.

I gave this gift to my son's teachers when he graduated from preschool....

Get a little mason jar (or any clear, small jar)
large bag of M&M's (depends on how many jars you are filling)

paste this note onto paper and attach to jar with ribbon:

Green is for the inspiration you gave to me each day,


Blue is for your patience in showing me the way,


Orange is for your warmth and your caring style,


Yellow is for the way you could always make me smile,


Red is for my life that you touched this year,

You’re a very special teacher, like this jar…that’s clear!

When I did this - I actually took the time and separated the colors and did a row of each - CRAZY! I think you can still get the point across if you have them all mixed...... good luck!

Well there's always the old stand by jewlery. Maybe something engraved with your child's name and the years spent there. Aside from that something that I've given to teachers many times over the years that have been really appreciated is a Teacher's Survivor Kit. Here's what you do:

Teacher's Survival Kit

Write the words "Teacher's Survival Kit" on the front of a lunch box
or small jar. Fill with the following items, attach card explaining
each item.

Bottle of glue - to hold your class together
Starburst candy - to give you a burst of energy when you need it
most.
6" Ruler - because success is sometimes measured in inches, not feet.
Box of Band-Aids - when things get a little rough.
Box of crayons- to color your day in bright shades when it seems
gray and dismal.
Eraser- to remind you that even the largest mistakes can be erased.
Puzzle piece- because without your assistance and care, learning is
a puzzle.
Shiny penny- because each of your students will shine in their own
way.

Now you could put different items in there as you might see appropriate, but this is something that's creative inexpensive, and the teachers will think of you every time they look at it or use one of the items. Hope this helps.

M.

here are two pages with ideas...
Good luck.

http://www.tipjunkie.com/2009/05/end-of-the-year-school-c...

http://www.tipjunkie.com/2009/04/teacher-appreciation-wee...

I am getting the teachers each a small plant. They only cost about $5.00 and they will last longer than just flowers....

I see you've already received a lot of responses and some good ideas. I was a teacher up until last year when I stopped working to stay home with my daughter. Teachers tend to get a lot of kitschy stuff and after awhile it's hard to find a place for it all. I always appreciated gift certificates...I got one for a spa and for a maternity clothing store when I was leaving to have my baby. I thought that was nice, that the parents took into account where my life was at that point. I also got a Vera Bradley checkbook cover one year...not something I'd have bought for myself but really cute and something I use still several years later. Good luck!

Hi,
I agree with the gift card. I know at walmart you can actually get a gift card with a pic of your kids on it. Make it personal. My parents loved them at x-mas & you always need something there.

As I'm sure others have responded, I think they really like the gift cards the most. At my preschool, the parents usually do take up a donation and give a group gift card, but my kids usually don't want to participate. They enjoy giving presents so they usually make a nice picture to go along with the gift card. (Plus, I think the gift is rather cheap - they only ask for $10 for 4 teachers - give me a break!) Because I know the teachers at my son's preschool pretty well, I know that they all LOVE Starbucks so most of the time, I buy them that. They also love bookstores, manicures, or other pampering items.

Honestly, I am sure they will be grateful for whatever you decide. They are most appreciative of the thought.

wow!!
what a lot of great ideas!

I agree that functionality and practicality are good.

I have a business making spiral bound journals in the seacoast area. I make a "Teach" Design that is very popular this time of year with moms/kids gifting their teachers. i could give you a special deal if you wanted 3 :)

they are whimsical and handpainted, (with an image of a teacher and many kids around them) but the journals strong and functional- for teachers do use notebooks! :)

http://www.queenoscar.com/html/products/journals.html

A. Birch, Queen Oscar Designs

Hello J.. I have a gift that your children's teacher may appreciate and cherish forever. It's a song on CD entitled "My Teacher". It's an original that I wrote last year and recorded just for teachers of all grade levels. I sung it for my daughters 3rd grade class last year at the closing celebration and my son's 5th grade graduation. Both teachers among others shed tears and was so thankful to hear a song dedicated to them. I presented all of my children's teachers with the song as a gift and the Sudbury Public Schools Superintendent loved the song so much he asked me to sing it for all the teachers at their big meeting before the school year 2008/2009 started. It was well received and teachers purchased the CD for themselves and other teachers. I, among others will be using this as a gift again this year for my children's teachers. If you would like to hear it please check it out at: www.myspace.com/jackjackworld. If you like what you hear, feel free to call me at Inet Productions Inc. ###-###-#### to order. I am listed as a business with Mamasource. Much Luck J.. Peace and Blessings to you. M..

A mug with a gift certificate to dunkin donuts is a good idea. If you want to spend more a gift certificate to a spa or the mall. My sister is a teacher and gift certificates are what she really enjoys. She won't eat anything homemade because she is afraid of what may be in it and any little knicknacks just get lost. If you want to contribute to the school you could get a gift card to where the teachers purchase supplies for their classroom.

As a teacher myself, I can only tell you good gifts we all remember- NO MUGS!!

I know you wrote no flowers but a summer plant (not cut flowers, but still beautiful- a perennial comes back every year and will remind the teachers of your family),a new pair of mittens or gloves, scarf or hat (for outdoor recess!), simple jewelry (silver or beaded) with their initial on it, a treat from his/her favorite store, personalized writing paper.

Unfortunately these ideas show dollar amount but they are good treats: breakfast/lunch or dinner gift certificates (Dunkin Donuts, Panera, Starbucks, etc), mani/pedi gift certificates.

Good luck!-C.

I like to give the teachers gift cards to the book store, target, wal-mart, cvs. Regardless of your budget, even a $5 or $10 gift card with a nice thank you card signed by your family is nice to receive.

Hi J.,
As a mom and an elementary school teacher, I have also thought a lot about treating teachers at the end of the year. I think the treats most teachers enjoy most are gift certificates (think ....Dunkin Donuts, manicures, casual rest.) or cute gifts for relaxing during the summer like a beach bag with a towel, magazine and a beach snack. I think personalized gifts like monogramed note pads are also special. All of these gifts can be made for about the same price as a bouquet of flowers. If money is tight, a hand written letter expressing your thanks and including a memory that your child had from the year will be greatly appreciated and your child's teacher will remember your kind words for years to come. Hope this helps. Happy Summer!

coach keychains - you can get them at the outlets for $10 or 'one minute manicure' is nice. I wasn't sure about that but was in a rush and it went over very well for daycare teachers. I think they are washing their hands so often they dry out and this stuff works wonders.

I agree on staying away from mugs and nic-nacs - my mom was a teacher and the amount of this stuff she got every year was seriously unreal. Also people tend to give food items very often and you really can't eat them all...or you don't want to if you are worried about expanding your waistline!

How about a nice set of photo note cards from Cards by C.? www.cardsbycarin.com or contact me directly via email ____@____.com of my young neighbors claims that my cards are the only ones he would give to his teacher.
C. R

Gift ideas

stationary, picture frames, wind chimes, jewlery, a mug filled with coffee, a gift card
Here are a few ideas from a teacher who has gotten gifts from her students

I think a geat way to thank them would be to have your kids make a crafty thank you card. Another idea is to buy them one of those little willow tree figurines that they have at stores like hallmark or other gift shops. I love those!

Hi J., As a retired Kindergarten teacher I can tell you that a handwritten, heartfelt note of thanks is the most meaningful gift a teacher can get from a parent. If you want to give a useful gift, gift certificates in any amount (no amount is too small) to a teacher store, Walmart, Target, Michaels, AC Moore where classroom needs can be purchased is the best! Most teachers get an overabundance of "teacher" knickknacks and candles, many of which are never displayed ot used.

I used to buy , at a ceramics shop, apples that were pencil holders.
They always were greatly appreciated and I saw one on a teacher's desk we had given her nearly twenty years before !! Guess she liked it !!
I am sure you could find something similar in a good book store or some other great ideas.
Most bookstores have gift corners with some pretty unique items. Dont need to be expensive.
Best wishes and God bless
Grandmother Lowell

I received a bamboo plant one year from a student leaving and 4 years later I still have it and remeber her. I thought it was thoughtful and really liked it! I also liked the idea that someone said about the flower pots and other things painted by the kids.

I agree with gift cards. As a teacher, they have been some of the best gifts I have received. Dunkin's, Wal-Mart, Target, Borders, Amazon...all great gift cards and practical places where the teachers could use them for themselves or pick some supplies for their classrooms. A nice note goes a long way too. It's nice to hear that you and your work have been appreciated.

Hi there - we've always done a group present with the other parents at my daughter's preschool - but it's a parent co-op (parents run the Board of Directors), so we might be organized differently than others.

Anyway, we have always given a gift card that our local chamber of commerce does to a bunch of local stores. It lets the teachers do/get whatever they really want. And include our daughters art work as a thank you card. (Because we have a group sum of money, we also give a box of chocolates, and the kid's artwork is collected into a really nice album...but obviously that last piece wouldn't happen with an individual gift.)

Not the most personal, but it's always gone over really well.

I know it is kind of late to reply, but maybe you can use this idea for the future. Every year I send a letter out to the other parents in my childrens class asking those that are interested to send in any amount of money that they are comfortable with. I take the total amount that I have collected and buy the teacher a gift certificate to a spa for some much needed pampering and relaxation. Most parents are appreciative for the opportunity to give money toward a bigger gift, and the teacher is always happy with such a nice gift. I collected $170 from each of my kids classesthis year, with only 9 parents (out of 21) contributing. Some parents give $30, some give $5. I make it very clear that any amount is appreciated. In my opinion, everyone wins!

I go against the flow and do not give teacher gifts because the teachers I know don't want another thing, even though they know that is not the thought behind the gift. I always buy a pretty blank card and write a note. I mention something they did that my child (I have three) especially liked, or that made them feel special, a certain situation or problem they helped my child solve or understand and how much I appreciated them being a part of our lives. I think taking the time to write a note, especially in this hectic world we live in, shows just as much, if not more so, how much they have meant to us and our children.

As a teacher myself, a gift card to Staples or one of those teacher stores would be the best ever.

W.

Here's some ideas of things I have enjoyed receiving as a teacher. Sentimental things are great, and functional items are even better:
Little home-made gift baskets are nice (filled with goodies/pampering things), a little photo/frame of your child(ren) or your child(ren) with the teacher, little spice gardens, teacher-inspired pins or necklace, Tote Bags, A children's book that has meaning for the situation/teacher/ or is your child's favorite, Relaxation CD's and candles (anything aromatherapy), Borders Books gift card.
Hope that helps!

Hello,
A Dunkin gift card with a bag of nice candy. The teachers get SO MANY knick-knack type stuff. Think of how many #1 Teacher ornaments and figurines they must have! Most people drink coffee and if they don't, I'm sure there are times when they bring in coffee to someone's house when they visit.
You could also get a small basket and put movie passes and some "movie size" boxes of candy. I'm telling you, go practical! You have to think about the gifts that they must get every year from multiple parents. You can put more thought into the card and what you write inside.

How about a gift certificate to a nice restaurant?

How about a gift card to a nearby restaurant? If there's some place that the teachers might go by to get a cup of coffee and a muffin in the morning (even Dunkin Donuts), it might be appreciated. Those daily doses of java add up! Or, someplace that might be a nice place for dinner when the teacher(s) want to treat themselves. It's nice of you to want to do something extra to thank them.

In Pre-School and now in Kindergarten the parents have emailed each other or send a note around and we then all pitched in what we could (10-20 each) and got a gift card. Gift cards a good gifts adn they can get things they want with them.

We also had one mom put a mini scrapbook together after the kids each drew a picture of them with the teacher, wrote something about school and then also included a photo of them or them with the teacher..this one shoudl turn out nice.

Hi J.,
I am a teacher and just ended the school year. I can give you some ideas.
First of all... stay away from mugs, hand creams and nic naks. While they can be cute and tempting, we get a TON and sad to say a lot end up off to salvation army.

Gift certificates are wonderful. I'm also a widowed mom and many of the parents gave me gift cert. to local restaurants so I don't have to cook during the summer. Book store gift cert. are nice too since I'm always buying books for my class.

If you can get together with a few other parents that have been there for awhile, a gift cert. to the local massage therapist is a great gift.

Two of my favorite gifts came from a class of children. They all went to a local pottery place and made thumbprint art on a platter that was then turned into an ocean scene. Each child's name is painted next to their thumbprint. Another class made similar but on a cookie jar which I keep in my office at home. This jar was a garden theme.
This year two of my student gave me potted plant but the kick was they painted the flower pots! I love them and have them displayed out on my deck and think of the kids when I see them each day.

There are many wonderful ideas. If you google teacher gifts on this board there have been past discussions.

Good luck! And bring tissues on your last day of school!!!

L.