What do you all do for Christmas/holiday gifts for teachers?

My DD has her kindergarten teacher and the teachers aide, and I just don't know what to day for them!

TIA

By Jackie on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 04:34 pm:

What I did was, I got a cute Snowman jar from the dollar store and filled it with Christmas candy. Well Hershey kisses, and that type of good candy in the holiday colors. Then I also bought gifts from the Bath and Body store. My 8 yr old has 2 teachers, so I bought them a Holiday Plug in wallflower. So each teacher got two gifts.
Normally I give homemade candles, but we did not make any this year.

By Kaye on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 04:42 pm:

Our school is having a bookfair. So I bought 3 books off of each teachers list. Shopping done, life is good

Typically though I get a gift certificate for food. Some years when I want to be cute, I do a pizza gc and then paper plates and napkins and something to drink, with a cute note about taking time off one night.

I have also done a blockbuster gc, some popcorn, a blanket, some candy.

In general I try to think consumable, easy to pass on if they don't need/like it. I try not to do food stuff because they just get so much. But in years that funds are short I have baked loaves of bread, or made cookies, or jar mixes.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 04:55 pm:

Natalie's teachers this year are getting a cool winter mugs I bought at sales and filled with packets of coffee, a variety of teas, and hot chocolate. Her preschool teacher is also getting 3 books for the classroom.
I love hearing these ideas for future regerence! Kaye, I would have thought I had died and gone to heaven if I'd received your pizza idea as a gift when I taught. Too cute and the thoughtfulness really would make you feel appreciated!

By Debbie on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 05:08 pm:

I did a gift basket for each. I put in a Starbucks gift certificate(both of them love coffee), stationary, and then we are making cookies. I am also going to make some fudge.

By Tarable on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 05:24 pm:

Okay same question.. When your kids get to be in middle school what do you do? Should I get something for each of my DDs teachers? she has 8???

By Jackie on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 05:52 pm:

My son is in middle school and he told me he did not want to give his teachers anything LOL...He said they are all mean, hehe

By Marcia on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 07:05 pm:

Between my 5 kids, they have way too many teachers to buy individual gifts for anymore. I now bake a huge tray to take into the staff room, and write a note appreciation for all of their support. If there is one teacher that stands out, I will do something extra, but we haven't had one like that for a few years....sadly.

Last year Nicole was in grade 8, and decided to do her own thing. She bought tins at the dollar store and baked cookies. She gave them to all of her teachers and the teacher's aides. It was extra special, because she did it all herself.

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 07:45 pm:

My mom stopped giving gifts to teachers once I got out of elementary school.

By Happynerdmom on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 07:50 pm:

Since my kids are in high school, I ask my kids if there are any teachers they would like to get a gift for. Only every once in a while will there be one, lol! I feel bad for middle and high school teachers. They work hard, too! Marcia, that's a good idea to put something in the staff room.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 07:54 pm:

I agree, I wouldn't give anything to the middle school teachers....unless your ds wanted to. I doubt they do any sort of Christmas or Holiday party in middle school either.

By Colette on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 11:28 pm:

Angela, as a former teacher's aide, the best gift is gift certificates, to blockbuster, dunkin's, a local coffee shop, a manicure, etc., the aides do not make a lot of money and most of them do it because they love kids.

By Unschoolmom on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - 06:07 am:

I'm getting my daughter's teacher a dishwasher.


:D

By Paulas on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - 06:46 am:

As a teacher any thing that shows we are appreciated in a welcomed gift. I have a few students who bring me stickers all the time from the dollar store and I love them.

At Christmas, one of our busiest times ( most schools have just done report cards) I especially appreciate a plate of baked goods since I seldom have time to bake until after school is done for the holidays.

By Angellew on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - 08:52 am:

Thanks ladies!

By Marcia on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - 09:19 am:

LOL Dawn!! Good for you!

By Tarable on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - 09:42 am:

I think I will just let older DD pick if she wants to give anything to any teachers.. and I am baking stuff for my younger DD's teachers. They love that I know from past experience with these teachers they are the same ones that older dd had 2 years ago.

By Mrsheidi on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - 11:53 am:

I have a picture of Connor and his teacher and we're going to give her a Christmas ornament with the picture etched in glass.
Etched Crystal Ornament

She's going to love it! As he gets older, I'll get his teachers gift certificates...I loved those.