Gifts for therapists?

veggieroll · November 2014

I know it's a little early, but I'm working on getting Christmas shopping done. Do you give gifts to therapists? Are they even allowed to receive gifts?

I'm not sure about his private therapy because we're switching to a new therapist, but I'd really like to get something for his EI therapists especially his OT. She's been really amazing, but I'm not really sure what you would get a therapist. Gift cards, teacher-like gifts?

Junebug060609 · November 2014

Well, I've got a bit of a special snowflake situation over here. Today was DSs last day solo with his aba therapist. She's been working with him since April. I gave her a gc to target as she was leaving today. It was kind of a happy holidays/thanks for helping the kid/good luck at your new job gift all at once.

For his SLP I know dried beans will be involved (he LOVES the bean bin she has). Not sure about his preschool teachers

greyt00 · November 2014

veggieroll said:

I know it's a little early, but I'm working on getting Christmas shopping done. Do you give gifts to therapists? Are they even allowed to receive gifts?

At our ABA center, I think the answer is no. When we had a parent training at home one evening (kick-off to potty training weekend), I offered to get dinner. No biggie, just a pizza, if they would like that. They said they could not accept it, if they took anything resembling food/gifts it could put favoritism into question. I would like to work with DS1 on making her a card at least.

I'm not sure about his private therapy because we're switching to a new therapist, but I'd really like to get something for his EI therapists especially his OT. She's been really amazing, but I'm not really sure what you would get a therapist. Gift cards, teacher-like gifts?

I'm at a loss what to give DS1's OT. She has been working with him since May of 2013. Last year all I think I did was help him make her a card. Is a generic gift (cash) card too impersonal? We would make her a paper card again to add a personal touch. I'm not crafty at all. I really like her but don't know her well personally, either (meaning we get along fine when we talk, she seems very nice, and I have a lot of respect for her working with DS1).

For day care they send out a sheet that states each teacher's favorite color and store/restaurant. I buy each of them a gift card. I made paper cards, too.

ToastieSimons · November 2014

We give gifts to everyone, therapists, teachers, and aides. We had 7 therapists, 1 teacher and 4 aides between both boys.

It's usually something small. Last year I did a small candle holder and a bottle of rootbeer we dressed up to look like reindeer

We've done mugs from goodwill that we personalized with initials and an individual pack of coffee in them

this year i bought beach towels and totes for end of school year on deep discount

we did water bottles and some totes last year, and we did exit gifts for EI with our oldest. Just a gift card and a plant that said "thanks for helping me grow".

I usually spend about $10/person. Then for school i send in some sort of treat.

EmAre · November 2014

I usually have my daughter make a homemade ornament (either inspired by Pinterest or using a kit from Michaels) and include a small $5 gift card for each. With 7 teachers and therapists, it's not much, but they always seem to appreciate it!

kcisthebombdotcom · November 2014

I write a heartfelt thank you note and slip a gift card for some coffee inside,

malcivar · November 2014

Our boys have a troop of people:

Chris - 1 bus driver, 1 escort, 1 teacher, 1 teacher's assistant, 3 therapists

Lucas - 2 bus drivers, 2 escorts, 1 teacher, 2 teacher's assistants, 2 therapists

So it's going to be small value gift cards, a nice note, and maybe some sort of home-made treat. Maybe for the teachers I'll have the boys make some ornaments (they both celebrate Christmas).

bumpuser511563 · November 2014

ToastieSimons said:

We give gifts to everyone, therapists, teachers, and aides. We had 7 therapists, 1 teacher and 4 aides between both boys.

It's usually something small. Last year I did a small candle holder and a bottle of rootbeer we dressed up to look like reindeer

We've done mugs from goodwill that we personalized with initials and an individual pack of coffee in them

this year i bought beach towels and totes for end of school year on deep discount

we did water bottles and some totes last year, and we did exit gifts for EI with our oldest. Just a gift card and a plant that said "thanks for helping me grow".

I usually spend about $10/person. Then for school i send in some sort of treat.

Toastie, do you have any pictures of the root beer reindeer?

bumpuser511563 · November 2014

We are doing a crafty reindeer ornament we found online. I already bought all the materials. Hopefully, we can start them this weekend after Thanksgiving.

I love making craft gifts with DS to give to those that care about him at school and daycare.

ToastieSimons · November 2014

Sailor Saturn said:

ToastieSimons said:

We give gifts to everyone, therapists, teachers, and aides. We had 7 therapists, 1 teacher and 4 aides between both boys.

It's usually something small. Last year I did a small candle holder and a bottle of rootbeer we dressed up to look like reindeer

We've done mugs from goodwill that we personalized with initials and an individual pack of coffee in them

this year i bought beach towels and totes for end of school year on deep discount

we did water bottles and some totes last year, and we did exit gifts for EI with our oldest. Just a gift card and a plant that said "thanks for helping me grow".

I usually spend about $10/person. Then for school i send in some sort of treat.

Toastie, do you have any pictures of the root beer reindeer?

@sailor Saturn

I made them like this

https://craftysisters-nc.blogspot.com/2010/12/ruldoph-red-nosed-root-beer.html

but left the ribbon off because we were short on time I just put it in a gift bag with an owl tea light (i found at a yankee candle after the holiday for $1! they were technically halloween but didn't seem seasonal) and a nice thank you note

ToastieSimons · November 2014

ETA: I also buy gifts throughout the year because the boys will be in a special needs school till they age out so I figure I've got lots of time to give gifts away

My tips are yankee candle outlets. Often they'll have votive holders or tea light holders on sale for $1 and $2. Even the fancy ones!

Brighton outlets I got these towels https://www.brighton.com/product/small-collectibles/36956-89403/sea-splash-brighton-beach-towel.html for $4.98. and these beach bags for $9.99 https://www.brighton.com/product/in-store/36956-91247/-s-s-brighton-beach-tote.html

They were leftovers from the local stores.

Shopping post season Last year after Christmas I bought cards, little shopping lists, about 50 gift bags, decorations, little gifts for the class, cookie tins, etc for 90% off

Target. Randomly target will have clearance on their dollar spot stuff. I bought lunch containers, decorative milk bottles, chalk pens, notepads, pens, tin lunch boxes, glow sticks, books, for 70% off

I keep 2 big tupperware totes for gifts, one in the attic one in the house. The towels, etc go in the house and the candle holders and stuff that can't go bad goes in the attic.

bumpuser511563 · November 2014

Thank you, Toastie! I will have to steal your ideas!

veggieroll · November 2014

I love the plant idea for when he ages out.

I might go with tote bags and gift cards with a Christmas card by DS. I had originally thought about making them metal stamped keychains that I saw on pinterest ("It takes a big heart to help shape little minds"). But a tote bag would be pretty perfect for the EI therapist. I think they go through a lot of them.

Hiccup15 · November 2014

For teachers/therapists that I don't know what they might like we usually just do a homemade card with a personal letter and a gift card to Target. For the ones that I know what they like, i'll do a little gift around that usually coffee, candles, etc..

I try to keep them around $10, because between the two boys we have 6 teachers/teacher assistant and 8 therapists. I like Toastie's idea of picking up things throughout the year.

MirandaHobbes · November 2014

When I had oodles of therapists/bus drivers/teachers/etc to buy for I stuck with $5 Caribou or sandwich shop type gift cards and a nice card. I found it was just so much easier to deliver. I'll never forget when we were in daycare and a Mom came in at pick up time with this ginormous box filled with huge beautifully wrapped gifts that she was passing out to every teacher. I felt overwhelming mom shaming. So I stick with that which fits in an envelope.

I am making one significant change this year (DS is in first grade). Since we have less to buy for (just a mainstream teacher and caseworker), I'm going to give the aides decent gifts also. Last year I remember I wussed out giving to them thinking they weren't essential, but after getting to know them I see that they are the ones who spend the majority of time with him, helping him button his pants, wrestle with snowpants, and yank out splinters. I am not giving to his OT and ST for the first time because they spend barely 30 minutes a week with him and I never hear from them but-for at his IEP meeting.

d.f · November 2014

Everyone gets homemade salted caramels and a coffee gift card. Usually $10.

Junebug060609 · December 2014

I hadn't even thought of bus drivers. Oh man.

I'm thinking $5-10 gcs for most. The SLP will also get some dried beans as a joke, DS LOVES the bean bin there. His SLP and aba ladies are new to us. Speech he's had like four sessions and the aba therapist just started last week.

bumpuser511563 · December 2014

Junebug060609 said:

I hadn't even thought of bus drivers. Oh man. I'm thinking $5-10 gcs for most. The SLP will also get some dried beans as a joke, DS LOVES the bean bin there. His SLP and aba ladies are new to us. Speech he's had like four sessions and the aba therapist just started last week.

Ooh! You can make it into a mason jar soup with the dried beans!

I am curious how this gift is received with or without a mason jar!

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