Teacher Gift Ideas

ForeverRoses · #1 11-20-2007, 12:04 PM

I need some Christmas gift ideas for my son's teachers. My son is in kindergarten (so this is the first year I've had to think of gifts). His main teacher has been teaching kindergarten for 20 years and the assistant teacher has been the assistant for 7 years. So I am sure they have TONS of apple-teacher themed items.

So, what would be some nice gift ideas?

ZTABullwinkle · #2 11-20-2007, 12:13 PM

I have heard that teachers appreciate gift cards so they can purchase school supplies. I would also think a nice gift certificate for a local restaurant or a manicure would work also.

TrueBlueKappa · #3 11-20-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZTABullwinkle

I have heard that teachers appreciate gift cards so they can purchase school supplies are welcomed. I would also think a nice gift certificate for a local restaurant or a manicure would work also.

Yes, we do!

tld221 · #4 11-20-2007, 01:25 PM

i agree - my landlord is a kindergarten teacher (has been for 15+ years) and spends SO MUCH of her own money on her classroom. i think something in that vein would be appreciated. i figure at 20 years in, the teacher has got to LOVE what they are doing.

Buttonz · #5 11-20-2007, 01:45 PM

I think giftcards would be the way to go, either a Target/Walmart type, or for a bookstore.

LaneSig · #6 11-20-2007, 02:55 PM

I have received gift cards that were Visa/Mastercard kind. It's great because I can spend it where and when I want. (They sell them in the grocery stores and at 7/11 here in Dallas.)

One year, several mothers got together and made a gift basket for me. It had microwave popcorn bags, some diet Cokes (they knew I am addicted), some Hershey bars, and a gift card. I really like it.

Another teacher had parents who made a gift basket with lotions, bubble bath, hair products, and a gift card.

SydneyK · #7 11-20-2007, 12:25 PM

One of my good friends is a kindergarten teacher... she has said that some of her favorite gifts include:

coffee mug w/ good coffee (from a local coffee shop, not like Maxwell House)
bookstore gift card
movie theater gift cards (or movie rental gift cards and microwave popcorn)
Wal-Mart or Target gift cards (like ZTABullwinkle said, this would usually be spent on school supplies)

One parent (whom she personally knows) actually gave her two home-printed coupons: one for a home-cooked meal with all the sides and drinks, and the other for a free babysitter so she and her husband could have a date night.

That last one was my friend's favorite, but I can't imagine that'd go over well unless you know the teacher personally.

I also like ZTA's suggestions of a restaurant gift card and a manicure!

UofISigKap · #8 11-20-2007, 09:30 PM

I think it's more of an elementary school thing, since my friends who teach middle and high school complain how unfair it is that I get flowers, cards, notepaper sets, etc... Of course then they remind me how they get a nice long (relatively speaking) prep each day. I remember getting gifts for my elementary teachers, but not my junior high or high school teachers. My parents said it was just too hard since I had so many teachers. The best gift I ever got was a partial gift certificate to the local day spa. It wasn't enough to cover a service, but that meant I could get pampered for a "discount."

KappaKittyCat · #9 11-21-2007, 10:38 PM

I think it's definitely an elementary school thing. And I also vote for a bookstore gift card. And I second the notion of putting it inside a sweet card with a note.

BetteDavisEyes · #10 11-22-2007, 01:31 AM

The parents of one of my students run a local restaurant and today, they brought me a homemade pumpkin pie as a Thanksgiving gift. It was really sweet they thought enough of me to make me one and it was delicious. Mike & I enjoyed it. Now I have to write them a Thank You card.

SWTXBelle · #11 11-24-2007, 12:22 PM

I taught high school at a private school, and gifts were a big thing there - but remember, I had senior classes of 20 - 40, so I knew these students REALLY well (and loved them lots!)
My favorite class gifts (from the whole senior class - I was their homeroom teacher) - black leather motorcycle jacket
-original French Casablanca movie poster
- Disney snowglobes
and each class got me a charm for a charm bracelet the first graduating class I had gave me.

adpiucf · #12 11-24-2007, 09:04 PM

My mom used to be a teacher. The best gifts were gift cards, because she could buy something that was in her taste. The parents would go in together and give her one large Visa gift card. She didn't expect any gifts, but it was nice to receive them if the children and their parents wanted to give them.

She also really appreciated when her kids took the time to write her a holiday greeting card.