I have $50 to spend on a gift for DC's teachers - ideas?

[Anonymous]

I was thinking of getting a gift basket for the teachers in my child's room at daycare. Money is tight this year, and we can't afford to spend more than $50 on this. Before you jump all over me about how these are the people that take care of my child all day and I shouldn't be so stingy, when I say money is tight, I mean: my husband and I will not be spending more than $25 each on each other and some of our child's gifts will probably be second hand toys. I hope things are different next year, but for now, this is what the situation is. I still want to show some appreciation for the teachers. Ideally we would do individual gifts for the teachers but things are in flux right now and there are a lot of teachers helping out. I don't want anyone to be left out.

My question is, besides Harry and David are there any other companies that do gift baskets? Is it even appropriate to do a gift basket that has food in it since there might be allergens in it? Is there anything else I can do besides a gift basket for the teachers in the room without going over our $50 limit?

[Anonymous]

How many teachers? I'd probably do gift cards instead?
Costco has some nice gift baskets for less than $50.

[Anonymous]

Honestly why not a gift card? I completely understand that money is tight for you, but it's tight for daycare workers too. Harry and David is great, but pretty outrageous for pears.

[Anonymous]

Don't bother with the gift baskets, they get plenty of that stuff already and it's another thing for the poor teacher to haul to their car.

I think gift cards with a nice card from the child work. Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, or Target are all nice options.

[Anonymous]

Cash. They would prefer cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cash. They would prefer cash.

Totally

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cash. They would prefer cash.

Totally

or if you are uncomfortable with that a Target card, most people like it there and they could buy anything they needed

[Anonymous]

OP here. Usually there are two regular teachers. Right now the head teacher is the only one who is constant, and it seems like there about 5-6 other teachers circling through and helping. I guess I can ask the director if there is anyone who is "regularly" helping and do gift cards for them (plus the head teacher). Would it be insulting to give gift cards that are only valued at $5 - $15, depending on how many teachers are helping?

[Anonymous]

Daycare worker here. Please do not feel obligated to get us anything. I do not look at parents any differently for not giving a gift. If you want to do something for everyone, then just bring in donuts and orange juice in the morning with a card thanking all the teachers. The worse thing is when the main teachers only get gifts. We have floaters and breakers that spend time with your child just as much as the main teachers but they get nothing because parents never see them. It sucks.

[Anonymous]

I think a 10 dollar Starbucks card with a nice personal note saying thanks for all the hard work you put in is more meaningful and would be appreciated way more than a gift basket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Daycare worker here. Please do not feel obligated to get us anything. I do not look at parents any differently for not giving a gift. If you want to do something for everyone, then just bring in donuts and orange juice in the morning with a card thanking all the teachers. The worse thing is when the main teachers only get gifts. We have floaters and breakers that spend time with your child just as much as the main teachers but they get nothing because parents never see them. It sucks.

This is exactly what I want to avoid. In our case, I know there are floaters in ADDITION to the teachers who are currently helping the head teacher. I truly appreciate all of them and want to show it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Daycare worker here. Please do not feel obligated to get us anything. I do not look at parents any differently for not giving a gift. If you want to do something for everyone, then just bring in donuts and orange juice in the morning with a card thanking all the teachers. The worse thing is when the main teachers only get gifts. We have floaters and breakers that spend time with your child just as much as the main teachers but they get nothing because parents never see them. It sucks.

I think this is an excellent suggestion. And maybe do it next week, before the daycare is overrun with cookies and such from other parents? I'm sure it would be very appreciated by all the teachers.

[Anonymous]

What if you gave the money to the director and asked that it be spread evenly amongst the employees?

[Anonymous]

How old is your child? Can they draw a picture? You do not need to spend money. I'm a teacher and never expect gifts from families. The best gifts are thoughtful emails or cards letting me know how I've made a difference. Chocolate and gift cards will be forgotten but I've held on to some of those cards over the years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is your child? Can they draw a picture? You do not need to spend money. I'm a teacher and never expect gifts from families. The best gifts are thoughtful emails or cards letting me know how I've made a difference. Chocolate and gift cards will be forgotten but I've held on to some of those cards over the years.

Infant, so no picture drawing I did find out that in addition to the head teacher there are several "regular" helpers. Of course there are still floaters in addition to them.