Calling all teachers...

howleyshell

As we Moms approach the whole "what to get our children's teachers to show our appreciation" thing could you help us out a bit by sharing some of the gifts you've gotten that you've actually enjoyed or found touching?

 

TIA 

cmh06

I'm always appreciative of gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, or the local mall.  I also love getting notes from parents just saying thank you for all you do.  Things like supplies for the classroom are nice too. 

Court0026

Minus a 3-month maternity leave job when everyone had money, I have always worked with very underprivileged families, so I have never gotten much.  I always liked getting pictures of the kids and letters from parents and do smile when I put ornaments up on my tree that my preschoolers picked out YEARS ago, but how many years can that go on, you know?  I think everyone can see why gift cards are so nice.  I personally got DS's teachers a $10 Target gift card and a set of metal snowman measuring spoons that I got at Hallmark after Christmas last year.  I figure they can use the gift cards of course, and they may actually use the measuring spoons and think of my kid...or regift LOL.  He goes 2 mornings a week so I really didn't feel the need to do more than that. 

AgrippaRidesAgain

cmh06:

I'm always appreciative of gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, or the local mall.  I also love getting notes from parents just saying thank you for all you do.  Things like supplies for the classroom are nice too. 

This.  Or notes from the kids, but as a high school teacher, they're rather rare.  So are gifts for that matter.  :-)

I usually got 8 billion Starbucks gift cards, which I still have (I haven't taught for 3.5 years) b/c I don't drink coffee, so I don't frequent it enough to remember to bring them. 

lami22005

I work in a low socio-economic area, so I rarely get anything other than trinkets, etc.  The most appreciated are the notes/handwritten cards from students,  and I will never forget my pound of See's candy I received once and my first gift card ever last year-a 10.00 GC to Starbucks-I was ecstatic! LOL

Mrs.Saxy

love gift cards- barnes and noble; amazon; starbucks!!! My co-worker has come up with some cute ideas. For her boys' teachers she's made themed baskets. One year she did a movie theme and had a large popcorn bucket, put in some micro bagged popcorn, gift cards to movie theater, movie theater candy, and a gift card to netflix/redbox (the like)...then wrapped it with the cellophane stuff. it was a hit!

 

I've always taught in poorer schools and usually get dirty stuffed animals (and I appreciate them and keep them on my desk for the rest of the year).  

Jena503

Ok teachers, how would this go over I was going to have the kids make birdseed ornaments for the teachers (daycare - 7 teachers total) and write a note. I figure birdseed is cute but nothing you have to keep around. What do you think I just remember my grandma griping about all the freaking christmas mugs she got from teaching for 30 years and didnt want to create clutter. So something consumable, but no worries about a potentially dirty kitchen.

shellybird101

Jena503:

Ok teachers, how would this go over I was going to have the kids make birdseed ornaments for the teachers (daycare - 7 teachers total) and write a note. I figure birdseed is cute but nothing you have to keep around. What do you think I just remember my grandma griping about all the freaking christmas mugs she got from teaching for 30 years and didnt want to create clutter. So something consumable, but no worries about a potentially dirty kitchen.

I think this is a cute idea, cause you spent time w/ your child creating the gift.  If you can include a small photo of the child making this gift it would be adorable.

shellybird101

I think the best gift is a yummy lunch.  Pizza ordered in, subs, Panera bread.  Sometimes school lunchs are not the best.

BallSox

To the PP who has all of the SB gift cards, have you tried the GC selling sites?  I think it's plasticjungle?  Idk for sure, but if you look around you might find some place to see if you can trade cards with someone.  

To answer the OP, When I was pregnant, a few of my kids got the baby copies of their favorite board books (in which they signed their names) and some got him stuffed animals and clothes.  GC's are always practical and if you get them to someplace like Kroger, Walmart or Target they are more likely to get used.  
However, I've never gotten (nor expected) anything over $25 even as a main FT teacher.  

Some of more memorable gifts have been kits or themed bags, such as "dinner in a bag" (Box of spaghetti noodles, jar of sauce, can of parm cheese, package of red and white checked paper napkins, loaf of french bread and...there was something else, but I don't remember :-P).  I also had a "Movie Night" (a popcorn bucket with a couple of 20oz drinks, a couple packages of jiffy pop, some theater box candies and a $5 GC to blockbuster).  

Homemade goodies are always nice (and our spouses like enjoying them too!).  

We get a LOT of mugs, ornaments, lotions and soaps, but that doesn't mean we don't appreciate them!

Honestly, something as easy as a heartfelt and thought-out note helps us remember why we do what we do!