Teacher Gifts for Christmas

scarlettdouble · #1 10-17-2009, 05:47 PM

I am trying to start scouting for teacher gifts. Now that DS is in 1st grade he has more than a few teachers. I feel like I need to send a small token to each teacher - PE, library, music, art, speech - in addition to his regular school teachers. Any great ideas that won't break the bank?

luckydog · #2 10-17-2009, 11:46 PM

I give small gifts to all DD's various teachers @ school, as well as her "outside" teachers at church, dance, etc. (around 10-12 folks). I try to keep it small/simple & chose something that anyone would like & I do the same gift for all. It's even better if I can package it into a cute cello bag tied w/ ribbon that will fit into DD's backpack, so she can deliver them herself the last day she sees them. It's not easy to think up ideas that are cute but cheap that appeal to most everyone! I understand where you're coming from when asking for "ideas that won't break the bank"

. All those little gifts add up quickly when you're covering that many. I hate to sound el cheapo

but I try to strive for something in the $10-15 range for all her "other" teachers. I invest more in her primary teacher's gift.

Here are a few ideas that I've used:

Nice linen hand/guest towel.
I rolled it up & tucked it into a small cello bag & added ribbon & a cute tag. I shopped all over for inexpensive, yet classy linen towels (& my original idea was last name initial monogram, but I didn't find any to meet my price range). The best deal I found was online @ Orient Expressed. They are a kids clothing trunk show line. They also carry a wide selection of nice linens for very reasonable prices. I had seen them in person at a fall clothing show & loved them. This year, the hand towels are running approx. $6 ea. The year I actually bought them I lucked up big time. They put a few styles on clearance around the holidays & I bought them for $2.50 ea. No kidding!!! I couldn't believe my good luck. Wow! But $6 isn't too bad either. www.orientexpressed.com.

Bath & Body Works Anti-bacterial "stuff".
On one hand, I think it's a good idea b/c it's useful in the classroom or at home. It's easy to put in a cello bag w/ ribbon & looks cute. You can buy them cheaply (they usually do buy some get some free deals). With all the flu this year, it might be especially appreciated. But, on the other hand... I have become close gal pals w/ a lot of teachers since DD began school. They say they get a TON of BBW stuff as gifts. I interpreted their comments to mean it has kind of become like getting the cliche apple stuff or unoriginal coffee mug.

Pair of super soft chenille "snuggle" socks.
I popped socks into a cello bag w/ ribbon. I bought "The Sweetest Softest Socks" from Bath & Body Works online, during Black Friday (sale+free ship). I chose white. I gave a few of them an added gift...socks + a small tube of BBW's "shea it isn't so" foot lotion. Seems like (can't remember) I got a much better deal on the small tubes of it on ebay & bought them from there in bulk.

Some other ideas...

A tin or cello bag of yummy goodies.
If they are coming from a parent they know & whose kitchen they would eat in

, I bet they'd enjoy the treats.

Along that same vein...food...Maybe a nice cheese ball or dip.
Add a box of nice crackers & a cute serving utensil thingy (lawd...can't think of the correct name for that thing right this minute..the tiny knife/spatula). I did a crabmeat dip, w/ a box of crackers & an adorable lime green & red polka dot serving "thing" and tucked into a cello bag as a neighbor gift one year. Hmmm. Scratch that idea for school unless they have access to a fridge.

Tin of Williams-Sonoma Mulling Spices.
I love that stuff! I use it w/ a tea ball to mull a hot cup of apple cider for myself...great for a batch of wassail for guests...and I sometimes just simmer it on the stove to make the house smell wonderful during the holidays.

Gift card to Netflix or Blockbuster w/ some microwave popcorn.

Poinsettia in a wrapped pot.

About the cello bags...
I found some adorable clear cello bags w/ lime green polka dots at a party supply place one year. They were actually being sold as birthday party "goodie bags" but as soon as I saw them I thought about Christmas. They were cheap. I bought a ton. I add a pretty red bow & cute tag = adorable!

scarlettdouble · #3 10-18-2009, 01:03 PM

Great ideas! I like the snuggle socks and bet others would, too. Off to check out Orient Expressed... This is why I love a message board!

Bamagirrll · #4 10-18-2009, 01:31 PM

FROM A TEACHER:

Don't send me anything expensive. I am just as happy with a nice card as with a gift. We get so many over the years, and it IS the thought that counts. Don't spend over a couple of dollars as I know young families have many. many more expenses at holiday time. If you are making a donation to your church or civic group at this time, add my name to it and we'll call it even!

scarlettdouble · #5 11-01-2009, 04:30 PM

How do teachers feel about baked goodies? Are you just sick of it or do you really appreciate it?

What about a cute set of matching paper plates and napkins to use over the holidays? Good quality paper products, of course. I know I would appreciate that but I might be in the minority.

scarlettdouble · #6 11-02-2009, 06:23 AM

Or what about this idea for teachers? A cute bag or box with chap stick and hand sanitizer and possibly some of those stretch gloves. All would be appropriate for the playground. Yes...no...maybe???

wehoney · #7 11-02-2009, 08:26 AM

I hope that the following does not offend anyone or put a damper on your Christmas spirit. If so I apologize in advance.
Being as how the economy is in the state that it is, why not ask the teacher if there is a child in the class that is in need, one who's family may not have the means to provide them paper, pencil, etc. Then you could give the needed supplies to the teacher so that she may pass them out to the child or children as needed through out the rest of the school year. I know that many teachers are trying to provide these items to those in need in their classrooms out of their own pockets.There may also be children who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch but yet the cost of lunch may be taxing on the family, offer to pay for a week, month or whatever amount you are willing to give so that that child may eat, and the family may have that burden removed from their shoulders.
I think that there may be children in all of children's classrooms who's family at this time last year were able to provide for their child's needs but now find themselves in a completely different situation. Having more than one teacher in my extended family I know that they are trying to help these children but that becomes taxing on their budgets too.
Just looking at giving from a different perspective this season.

scarlettdouble · #8 11-02-2009, 09:50 AM

I agree with your post, wehoney, and think that could be a separate project for Christmas. DS's school has an Improvement Council and the lunch money issue could be brought up with them or with the PTO. However, I really want to do something for the teachers and bring them some cheer. Teachers do so much throughout the year!

Our schools submit names to the Angel Tree project at Christmas each year. This project works through the churches and local businesses to provide Christmas gifts for needy families. I will suggest that lunch money and school supplies be added to this list. It makes me sad that some children do not get a hot lunch! Our school district has gone so far as to continue serving lunch everyday even in the summer for families who qualify.

lamplady · #9 11-03-2009, 08:30 AM

I was at our Bed, Bath, and Beyond yesterday and the clerk at the checkout/returns counter pointed to some small scoops (perfect for cookie dough) and small silicone spatulas on the counter & suggested they would make excellent teacher gifts. I think she's right. I don't remember exactly how much they were, but not too expensive. The spatulas would be a perfect size for many things, not the least of which would be scraping out the last remnants of peanut butter and mayo jars & I think just about anyone could use them. Wow, may have just talked myself into going back and getting them for me!

scarlettdouble · #10 11-05-2009, 04:21 PM

Those sound really cute and I have a 20% off coupon for BBB. Thanks for sharing!

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