Teacher Gifts. Need Ideas.

I have this same question mostly because I have EIGHT different teachers/aides/therapists to cover.

I'm a baker and that's what I'll be doing for them. My SIL is a veteran 4K teacher and she said FOOD is awesome because often they don't have the time to deal with baking with all the extra holiday events they are involved in at school.

Too many teachers pay for supplies out of their pockets, so a gift card to a learning store would be appreciated.

Consumables are always nice. If she's outdoorsy, then something she could take in a backpack?

I taught middle school. If you go the gift cards from "box" stores like Target or Walmart are the way to go. Many teachers don't drink coffee. And it is true that we have to pay for things out of pocket, but someplace like Target or Walmart gives a teacher more options. They can buy something for their class, splurge on themselves or if things are really tight, get necessities like groceries.

Some things I got in the past that were a little different were a nice throw blanket...that seven years later I still cuddle up with. I got a nice thermos once too. The kind with a straw and keeps water cold for 12 hours. That was really nice to have chilled water in my class all day. An engraved bell was nice for me, I used a bell for changing activities. Meaningful ornaments are nice too. I enjoyed remembering some of my past students as I put their ornaments on the tree this year. Teachers get lots of lotions , candles and coffee mugs, so I'd probably steer clear of those items. HTH!

As an elementary teacher, I always dreamed of gift cards, but never got them. Ask your son if he sees her drinking coffee or tea or something. If she does, get her a giftcard to Starbucks or Sonic. Teachers also often spend their own money on things for their classroom. Oriental Trading Company gift card may be an idea for her to buy little treats for her classroom. Saw some fun gift ideas on this website. You gotta scroll to the next few pages to find items a little less pricey http://www.itsthoughtful.com/gift-ideas/christmas-contest/ I also heard to maybe look at Oprah's wish-list. I think everyone would enjoy a gift card to Barnes n Noble - if not for books, for calendars, for stationary, etc. Perhaps even a tear-away 365 page-a-day calendar would be nice. Maybe a funny one to make her laugh each morning at school, or one she could share with her students and keep on her desk.

Why not a gift card? That's what's really appreciated. They get enough other "stuff" they can't use. Gift cards and a nice note from you and your son would be the best.

As a former teacher (SAHM currently) and daughter of a teacher, I really think gift cards are the way to go! My mom has taught for over 30 years and has received more ornaments, pins, #1 teacher gifts, etc. than she count. I LOVE my son's teacher and I plan on giving her a gift card with a loaf of homemade pumpkin chocolate chip bread. I try to buy gift certificates I know they'll use on themselves. My son's preschool teacher looked like she stepped out of A. Taylor every morning, so I always got her an A. Taylor gift card. I knew she couldn't buy anything for her husband or grandchildren there. Starbucks is great if you know she drinks coffee. Also, make sure you include a nice note to tell her how much you appreciate her (if it's the truth).

we've given gift certificates to get a pedicure before and the teachers loved it.

Something that the parents of a class all chipped in for, in the past for my Daughter's Teachers were:
a camera (which can be gotten at Costco for a good price)
and a Fan (also from Costco).

Teachers, have always LOVED getting that, for their classroom and since Teachers often take photos of class projects/class for their website as well.

In this way... the Room Mom of the class... organized the gifting for the Teacher.... with each parent, if they want, chipping in whatever dollar amount they want or can.
Usually.... at least in my Daughter's school... that is what happens.
But if a family wants to, they can get an individual gift, for the Teacher.

ALSO.... www.kodakgallery.com has GREAT photo gifts (AND photo blankets/throws).... for a Teacher or anyone. It can be something with the class photo on it or something. My daughter's Teachers, have also received that, and loved it.

ALSO... www.vistaprint.com has GREAT gifts/prices too... which you can personalize or put photos on. Good prices. I once got my Daughter's Teacher... a set of personalized sticky pads (because Teachers always sends notes home), pens, notepads etc. with the Teacher's name on it. For example: "Ms. Smith's Room." That way... their pens/pads cannot get lost/walked away with... and it is cute too.

And of course, always include a HAND written note/Christmas card with the gift.... just expressing appreciation for the Teacher or what he/she has done for your child, everyday. Teacher's appreciate that. I always do that... and have gotten heartfelt thank you's from the Teacher... for our notes/cards to them.

all the best,
Susan

Hi

How kind of you to put so much thought into buying your son't teacher a gift.

I am a teacher and, since my finances are tight, gift cards are appreciated. I have to say, though, that I have cherished the handwritten note cards I have received over the years. They meant the world to me. Since I find myself buying office supplies for my own desk or for my students, perhaps a gift card to a local office supply place might be nice?? I don't drink a lot of coffee, but Starbucks or, even better, a gift card to a local mom and pop shop/coffee place is great. Oh, what about movie passes? I haven't been in years because they are too expensive for our family, but that would be a great treat! Hey, what about offering to order and then deliver a meal from a local restaurant for the teacher on a future school day? I eat at my desk and often forget to bring lunch from home-- that would be a real treat!

Take care and best of luck!

As a teacher, my favorite gifts are 1) A note from the student or parents about what they like about school - I've saved them all for 20 years! and 2)Starbucks gift cards :) Sorry, I LOVE coffee! I've also received fun gift mixes, where all the dry ingredients for a cookie recipe are wrapped up cute with instructions for baking the cookies, sometimes with a cookie cutter. Since i have young kids, those are always fun! Good luck.

my favorite gift when I was a teacher was a gift card to have my car detailed.

My all-time favorite gift is the all-famous Starbucks gift card, though it doesn't have to be Starbucks. If you have a local coffee place or a Dutch Bros, those are fine, too. If the teacher is not a coffee drinker it's still a good gift because they have cocas, teas, and other fun drinks and merchandise.

I'm not a teacher, but here's what I've learned over the years...

If you choose a gift card...
Target
Walmart
A local restaurant
Borders or Barnes and Noble
Do not to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks unless you know she's a coffee drinker

Non gift cards...
an ornament
a nice card made by your son
supplies for the classroom

Or a visa giftcard to be used anywhere. Also a note of gratitdue/ thanks from you and your child for being a good teacher.

Buy her a gift card that she would not buy herself. Teacher's budgets are always tight.

If she drinks coffee a new cup with a Starbucks gift card,etc... is always good. I saw these new cups that look like paper cups with lids on them and have straws. They look pretty nice.

If you get her a outdoorsy gift card go to a outdoors store--not Target. Eddy Bauer, etc.

Here re some responses to a similar question from the Skinny Scoop..check it out, hopefully it will spark some ideas:

http://www.theskinnyscoop.com/question/q/1251?utm_campaig...

As a teacher myself, I like things like hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works (always good for this time of year). At this time of year, there are always deals & coupons from there. The suggestion of a gift card (if you're going that route) to a learning supply store is good too. Even if the teacher is a veteran teacher, there are consumables needed each year i.e. name tags for desks, etc. My first year teaching I got a gift card for a pottery place ~ I went & picked out some pieces, painted them, & the store fired them. I still have them & use them on my desk for paper clips, rubber bands, & other small items. I've been teaching for 13 years!

Get her a gift card! Trust me....TRUST me.

Some people suggest gift cards to a learning store or educational supply store. Please don't do that. That's like saying "Here, have a gift so you can buy something my KID can use!". Get her something that would be a gift for HER.

Starbucks, Target, Grocery, Gas, any restaurant - all of those would be fine. Do NOT get her knick knacks, ornaments, lotions or soaps, apples, or food.

According to my teacher friends, Starbuck's and Target cards are the ones that people try to trade for! :)