Can't afford pricey Christmas presents for teachers this year

[Anonymous]

$10 gift card to Panera buys lunch and everybody loves Panera. Or instead of making cookies (when everyone is bombarded with sweets), make up a little jar with all the dry ingredients for cookies/brownies and include the recipe (usually the receiver has to add an egg and a stick of butter). You tie a ribbon around it and the recipient can make it when they have a craving and don't have anything sweet on hand.

Of course the group gift is standard, but sounds like it isn't done in OP's school.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, our class will also collect money for a large cash gift. But most parents at our school also give individual gifts.

So if an administrator/ teacher got a gourmet gift basket you think they wouldn't appreciate it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, our class will also collect money for a large cash gift. But most parents at our school also give individual gifts.

So if an administrator/ teacher got a gourmet gift basket you think they wouldn't appreciate it?

As a teacher myself I can say that of course I would appreciate it but I wouldn't use it. Food and treats from TJ max are super obvious and a hodge podge of things that don't sell well for various reasons. Heck I'd rather have a 5 dollar Giftcard or just a card with a sweet note.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why not just make something? We make almond brittle for all the teachers. it does not cost $10/gift. It has become a family tradition and my DC can't wait to give his Mom's special brittle to all his teachers.

We bake too. I have 5 treat recipes that I know are winners, and I make then so that they look visually appealing and "gourmet". I purchase plain baskets from the dollar store, dress them up with wire bow, hot glue some expensive looking silk flowers onto the bow, and line the basket with coordinating tissue.

I try to wrap some items individually, like they would be in a gourmet gift basket. For example, I put 6 cookies in a quart sized ziplock baggie, cut off the zipper, and tie it off with coordinated ribbon. Caramel popcorn is bagged the same way. The bags are tucked in the back of the basket to add height. Caramels are wrapped in twisted wax paper. Squares and truffles are placed in mini muffin cups, or 3 to a larger cup.

The treats are displayed nicely and the whole thing covered in shrink wrap. Voila, an inexpensive gift that looks beautiful and like it costs far more than I actually spent..

[b]

Please share your recipes!!

[Anonymous]

If you are giving to the class gift, I think you can just write a nice note. Just bc other parents give individual gifts doesn't mean you have to.

[Anonymous]

Teacher here.

Honestly, every thank you is appreciated, from a child's drawing to a gift card, and anything in between. It's horrifying to think that people would be so judgmental about gifts.

[Anonymous]

I regift the food items to the cleaning staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here.

Honestly, every thank you is appreciated, from a child's drawing to a gift card, and anything in between. It's horrifying to think that people would be so judgmental about gifts.

Also a teacher and agree with this. Personally, I don't care to receive food gifts and I generally don't eat them, but it's the thought that counts, so it doesn't matter.

[Anonymous]

How about a really nice heart felt card thanking the teacher for their hard work. I would think that it's the thought that counts. Teachers understand and I think, just want an acknowledgement of their hard work.

[Anonymous]

It's a nice thought.

But...

For what you'd spend on each basket, I'd go to Color Me Mine or something and have your kid(s) paint a few plates. Bake cookies, send them in on the plate with a card, and you're done. Each plate is about $12 and the sitting fee is $8 per child (with deals or freebies sometimes). So all in all, the plates + cookies + cards will be about $16 per gift.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Wow, I had no idea food baskets would be so unpopular. I guess I liked the idea of receiving one so I assued others would to.

Most parents give individual gifts and additionally donate $10 toward the class gift. I spent the day collecting things for the baskets. Everything was super inexpensive. But since I worried about the quality of items from Home Goods, I splurged on a couple quality items- expensive tomato sauce, capers, and tea. I was able to get the pasta, tea cookies, and other items cheaper at HG.

I had no idea food baskets were about as appreciated as fruit cakes!

[Anonymous]

your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

i've done "dinner in a bag" sort of pasta & sauce things. figured any working parent could use it sometime.

[Anonymous]

I was in your situation, OP. Here's what I did: bought small inexpensive gift baskets (I found some cute ones shaped like mini-sleighs). Then I baked toll house cookies and filled each basket with the cookies, lined with festive tissue paper. They were very well received by every teacher. Another year I bought inexpensive mugs and filled each one with lindt chocolate truffles. Gift cards are nice but no need to go into debt here; it truly is the thought that counts for most teachers.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher and I love small gift cards to Starbucks. I don't like spending so much $ on coffee (we have the money, dh makes a good amount) its just the thought of spending so much on coffee bothers me. So I love being able to use all my gift cards as a treat to myself without the guilt. I would be appreciative of just a $10 card
But I would also like the food basket too

[Anonymous]

Hello OP,

Another teacher here -- I also taught in an affluent school district, but I promise you that a kind letter or card from the parent or the child meant the world to me. Your gift absolutely does not need to be expensive. A $5 Starbucks card, a plant, a book for the classroom, etc., is OK. Forget what anyone else may or may not be doing at the school -- communicating that you appreciate the teacher really is the most important thing. (Sounds corny, but there it is.)