I LOVE TARGET!!!!

:) i spend lots of money there. i think by now with all the money i have spent there i can afford a share into the company ;) lol

Since this is my first year with my own class I hope hope hope to get ornaments! My mom taught for years and has a few of her own. She looks at them every year when tree trimming and always thinks of the kids.

Other than that I would love to get candles or bubble bath, as both help me relax after a long day with the little darlings! Gift certif. Very nice too...we have a new Target in our area and that would really be nice store for one :)

things to NOT get a teacher: candles, mugs, ornaments (she could be jewish and then where would she hang her santa ornament), bath and body stuff.

unless you know for sure that the teacher has a favorite scent, please don't buy anything smelly. there's nothing worse than getting a basket of bbw stuff in a scent that makes you get a sore throat. it happens to me every year and i wind up bringing it back or giving it to someone.

the best stuff to get: supplies for the class (pens, stickers, cute notepade, etc. wrapped up really nice) and of course, gift certificates.

don't get me wrong, teachers are always appreciative of their gifts. but there's nothing worse than 20 different smelly candles/ornaments/lotions/mugs, etc every year. honestly, there's no place to put these things! go the practical routs--even if it's a $10 certificate, it's better than another mug to add to the collection or regift.

hope that helps!

If you do go the gift cert route what is a good amount? I am thinking about doing this for my daughters preschool teachers but I don't want to insult her by giving her one that is to low.

honestly whatever you can afford.

for the most part I get $20, 25 and even $50 from some parents. i've also gotten cash ($50 bills) which is GREAT!!

Our school district allows Gift Certificates, but teachers are prohibited from accepting cash.

When I was in HS I spent Christmas with my aunt who was a 1st grade teacher. After the party her class had, she came home and promptly sorted everything and threw out most of it. I was crushed at the thought of my old teachers doing that.

Since that I have given consumables....food, candy, coffees, etc cause I know they will use it.

I always love gift certificates from my kids. I've gotten certificates from: Victoria's Secret, a nice mall, Barnes & Noble, Blockbuster, and even Honey Baked Ham. I once recieved a real silver plated pen from Tiffany & Co. Also food is great, there have been homemade items such as cakes, cookies, candied nuts etc....., that I have been able to share with my whole family. Also, chocolates are always a favorite!!!!!!!

We need to talk...I came back to middle school this year..

Gift certificates are great...also, if you know the teacher really well and she has a family, babysitter service!!!

When I was in high school, I got a box of Godiva truffles for the teacher who wrote me a rec for college. I figured if he didn't like it, he probably was going to a holiday party and could bring it to the party.

)came back?!? i think you need the drugs too...i'll share with you! (but I get the better ones since I am stressed out over my national boards ;) )

All of my father's aunts were teachers. The week after Christmas, two of them (neither of whom should have been teachers in the first place!) held a "Nieces' Party". They would regift all the items that "the little snips" gave them. blech.

Viva la gift certificate!!!

Don't get mugs! As teachers, my husband and I have received, no lie, about 50 between us.

I vote for gift certificates or ornaments.

My favorite teacher gifts I've gotten: (I teach preschool)

Cashmere gloves (I'm not kidding. This woman was amazing if somewhat overboard in the gift giving category.)

A mug with hot chocolate mix, a candy cane and marshmallows.

Gift certificate to get my nails done.

The same lady that bought the cashmere gloves gave me this really nice foot lotion and those spa socks that you wear to bed.

Gift certificate to Old Navy and Target.

And the best: One of my moms apparently had a lot of time on her hands and made me a book of pictures her daughter had colored for me and a picture of every kid in the class. She also put a note in there where she wrote down all the sweet things her daughter had said when she asked her to tell her about Miss Crystal. It was adorable.

More reasons to love my job.

My co-worker always gives gift certificates to the movies. That seems cool.. a night out for teacher to relax!

I have given different things based on the teacher. My daughter's 2nd grade teacher sent home a note before Christmas saying "If you plan to send a gift, please make it a gift certificate to Borders or Barnes and Noble so that I can purchase books for the classroom". Of course, it was her 32nd year of teaching and I'm sure she had a zillion ornaments, mugs, etc.