Ideas teacher gifts other than gift cards and money

[Anonymous]

Maybe this should go on the school forum? Figure there's more traffic here. We are doing our holiday shopping budget soon. I don't want to start the whole money or no money debate. These teachers live in expensive neighborhoods so they aren't counting on gift cards and cash to make it through the holidays, though I understand even if you have money some people enjoy gifts of money or giftcards and if we could do that for all we would.

Unfortunately, we cannot afford to give everyone we want to recognize a decent gift card. I don't want to start a pool and make friends uncomfortable asking to chip in money. Last year on DCUM I learned that homemade stuff can scare some teachers because they worry about your kids helping bake with snot filled fingers. Don't worry, I won't give a mug or candles or something with an apple on it. We will do thank you notes too. Any ideas for inexpensive gifts that teachers actually want (teachers, assistant, PE, art, music, etc)? If they had classroom book wishlists I'd be happy to get some and I could offer to buy supplies for their classroom that are needed? Thoughts? It would be nice to get them something for them rather than supplies or maybe both? I saw someone on another thread mention hand lotion as a gift. I myself would love that because I have terrible problems with dry skin in the winter, but I know everyone has different fragrances they like and don't like.

What non-money/non-gift card gifts have you given that were a hit?

[Anonymous]

Bring coffee and donuts and put in the staff room one morning.

Have your DC write a note to his teachers telling them what he likes about the class and what he learned.

I am a teacher and these are my favorite gifts.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, didn't read closely enough, saw that you are already doing thank you cards. So I will reiterate the coffee and donuts idea.

[Anonymous]

Why do you need to give everyone a gift? Try a nice heartfelt thoughtful note. It will be far more appreciated and remembered.

[Anonymous]

This is all helpful-thank you! Keep the ideas comin'...

[Anonymous]

I get the vibe that most teachers don't need anything. Ultimately, I would give them a year end gift to head off any notions of bribe that scream out. If you really mean it, that is. I know some places are touchy for this reason.

[Anonymous]

I always disliked all the smelly stuff like lotions. People are picky with personal hygiene preferences. As they should be....

I will piggy back what previous poster said. A breakfast or lunch to the school's staff would be great. Order a pizza and soda for lunch or donuts, coffee and tea for breakfast. Who doesn't like to eat?

[Anonymous]

I teach Pre-K. I spend a ton of my own money on supplies. Here's what I would like:

Heartfelt card of appreciation

Gift basket with rolls of blue painter's tape, washable markers, scotch tape, googly eyes, glitter, AA batteries for my classroom camera and electric pencil sharpener, other fun or better yet basic school supplies... ask her what she needs/goes through really fast.

[Anonymous]

Soup in a Jar:

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/soup-mixes.shtml

[Anonymous]

What about having your DC paint a picture and framing it at Michaels. Or you could organize a paint party for the entire class and have the kids paint a really large picture and get the parents to chip in to have a pro mat and frame it. I think kids art is really cool especially when it is framed nicely.

[Anonymous]

We like to send an Edible Arrangement to the Principal asking her to share it with the staff. We always get tons of positive feedback. This way we don't miss any of the staff and even the teachers we haven't had yet now know we care. (our kids main teacher gets a large gift card from the entire class as well but that comes out of the class dues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about having your DC paint a picture and framing it at Michaels. Or you could organize a paint party for the entire class and have the kids paint a really large picture and get the parents to chip in to have a pro mat and frame it. I think kids art is really cool especially when it is framed nicely.

Sorry to be blunt, but I have enough of my own kids' artwork and photos that are still sitting in drawers unframed... the likelihood that I will put another kid's artwork on my wall is slim to none.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about having your DC paint a picture and framing it at Michaels. Or you could organize a paint party for the entire class and have the kids paint a really large picture and get the parents to chip in to have a pro mat and frame it. I think kids art is really cool especially when it is framed nicely.

Sorry to be blunt, but I have enough of my own kids' artwork and photos that are still sitting in drawers unframed... the likelihood that I will put another kid's artwork on my wall is slim to none.

Well I think it is a nice idea. All teachers are not like you and do not struggle to hang up their own kids artwork.Most teachers are the most organized people I have ever encountered! It is especially nice for teachers who do not have kids.

[Anonymous]

Love the edible arrangements idea, but am nervous about cut fruit and bacteria especially with the whole cantaloupe stuff going on. Do they give a safety guarantee?

What do you think about PP suggestion of skipping the midyear gift and writing a thank you note and then end of year I can be more generous and maybe do the giftcard thing and no fear of seeming like I'm bribing the teacher/trying to win brownie points for the kids?

[Anonymous]

Edible arrangements is damn expensive