Teacher gift ideas...help!

[runningmom23]

Does anyone have any ideas they would like to share about what to get for end of year teacher gifts? I normally leave this to the last minute and spend way too much $. I have 5 teachers to buy for so I don't want to look cheap but really can't afford to spend over $10 each. Thanks for your help

[WAKEFORSOUL]

If you can get your hands on those baskets at costco someone else posted... those would make an amazing year end gift and they are only $7.49 but look way more expenisve.

[scbpooh]

5 teachers. Ouch!!! Luckily we only have 1 to buy for. What I did is made her a baby basket. She is due at the beginning of July, so I thought this would be perfect. I used a J&J FPC and bought a baby basket and used those things. I also put in a few of my Olay bodywashes(from our 3-$10 coupon days), and a set of Herbal Essences shapoo and conditioners (from the 10 FPC giveaways),put in the similac cans of powder and liquid (got for signing up to site), and then went to the dollar store and picked up a few bibs,washcloths, toys,ect. I got a found a big basket at a g-sale back in April for like $.50 so thats what gave me the idea.

[banana03]

What a nice gift! So thoughtful.

[couponclipperfun]

How about a card either written by the child if he/she can or yourself expressing how you appreciated the year. I think this would be appropriate and would mean more and have more sentiment than stuff to clutter up.

We spend way too much money on gifts for this and that. I don't want to sound unappreciative, but they already are being paid for their job and some people just can't afford to keep giving, especially in these very tough times where some don't even have jobs.

[redmouse]

I did the same as spooch last year, one of the teachers was expecting and I made her a nice baby basket.

The other received artifical flowers in a terra cotta planter on clearance from carleton cards.

If you have a little stash you can make very nice gift sets using olay products or similar items. You don't have to put it in a stand up basket but get a flat basket low sided ($ store has some) put straw or grass on the bottom and lay the bottles of lotion etc, flat - wrap in plastic wrap and tie with a ribbon.

[WAKEFORSOUL]

I gave my son's teacher a GC to timmies in a card for Christmas( I knew she bought her coffee there every morning)... it wasn't something to clutter up her house... it was something she could use and she really did appreciate it. $10 is a great amount and you just stick it in a homemade card.

Another idea would be to give the teacher a card and pick a charity your children can donate to or volunteer for in her name.... Make sure you write whatever you choose in the card.

[couponclipperfun]

Another idea would be to give the teacher a card and pick a charity your children can donate to or volunteer for in her name.... Make sure you write whatever you choose in the card.

This is a great idea. How about a Literacy group, Library or a food bank donation? It sends a message that there are many others that are far less fortunate and need the assistance. I know of children that are being taught by their parents to direct birthday presents to food banks and libraries. This would be a nice way for adults to show children that this is the right thing to do.

[CentrallyCalm]

I'm going to give you a tidbit of info... not all teachers keep their gifts. Yeah, you may find that harsh or cruel, but it's true.

My dad has worked in a school for 32 years, and year after year, I see NEW gifts thrown out!! Why do you think this happens? Who knows, but I'm here to tell you, be selective who you give too, what you give and how much you spend. If you know the teacher well and know they will keep it and treasure it, then get something. If you're not sure, don't go too lavish because it may not make it home with them.

I'm not saying tokens of appreciation aren't something teachers will be grateful for, I'm just saying... don't spend too much because when you do the math... 25-30 kids bringing a 'little something for the teacher' at the end of the school year & on Christmas, etc. Adds up over the years, and well... where does a teacher put it. LOL

Suggestions which are more likely to be consumed / kept:
(check for allergies/diabetes, etc first).

* A small plate of homemade fudge, cookies, squares, etc.

* Something from the child and parent together: cupcakes decorated by the child, a small cake decorated with "thank you" or "school's out" or something on it.

* Gift Certificate for the movie theatre, cinema, play, concert, etc.

* Gift Certificate for Chapters, Teacher Supply store, etc.

* Stash of stickers, etc. Teachers buy these every year for incentives for the kids and it would be one less thing on the list to pick up if they had a few rolls tucked away.

* GC for Walmart, Office Depot, Staples, etc. (Staples has teacher/school incentive points so that's a great store for them to shop at)

* A nice plant (if they are into gardening)... even something started from seed and a hand decorated pot by the child.

* A donation in the teacher's name to a charity foundation which promotes education, special learning, etc.

* If you know the teacher has a special trip planned for the summer, then something themed to accompany them on the trip (like sandals, new beach towels, photo development enlargements, gift basket with sunscreen, beach ball, etc.)

[redmouse]

I think centrallycalm is right.....how many apple ornaments or mugs can one person keep.

Another nice idea I see often is a potted plant or mini rose bush. This gift should last longer than the others.

[WAKEFORSOUL]

My cousins are both teachers as well and it's the same thing... They appreciate it but most of the time can't keep everything or don't have any use for most of the things.

Another good idea - At the dollar store they have these cute popcorn bins (they look like the boxes you get at the movies but are plastic- Red and white striped) I would fill it with a Bag of microwave popcorn, maybe a bag or two of gummie candies and a GC for a movie rental at a local movie rental place ( usually about $5) It's a nice night in for the teacher and spouse and they won't have things laying around... other than the bin.

[redmouse]

I wonder what most teachers do with the gifts......can you imagine if the teacher has been teaching for 10 or more years the stuff that they can accummulate? I wonder if some donate it.....I don't think they could yard sale it, I'm sure they would be found out LOL

20 students (if all gave gifts) x 2 gifts (christmas & end of year) x 10 years = 400 gifts!!!!

[scbpooh]

I cant speak for the teachers but my father in law is a K-8 school bus driver and they things he gets is crazy. The best thing is the GCs and the baking though. Always things he likes to share with the rest of us!

[tinahobbs]

I wonder what most teachers do with the gifts......can you imagine if the teacher has been teaching for 10 or more years the stuff that they can accummulate? I wonder if some donate it.....I don't think they could yard sale it, I'm sure they would be found out LOL

20 students (if all gave gifts) x 2 gifts (christmas & end of year) x 10 years = 400 gifts!!!!

My friend is a teacher, and she admits to "re-gifting"! I don't know if she has to buy much at Christmas!!! She says she only keeps Tim's and Chapters GCs... so I'm leary about buying teacher gifts.

[couponclipperfun]

My friend is a teacher, and she admits to "re-gifting"! I don't know if she has to buy much at Christmas!!! She says she only keeps Tim's and Chapters GCs... so I'm leary about buying teacher gifts.

Have your child make a homemade card. At least we all know if it gets tossed, it wasn't that expensive.

I still like the idea of a donation even just 5.00 to something worthy.