Holiday gift ideas for preschool teachers?

[Anonymous]

Being a deeply uncreative giver of holiday gifts, I am hoping that somebody may have a good idea for a gift for my two year old son's preschool teachers. Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

From everything I've read, the more uncreative, the better. I think consensus has been that gift cards are best. We plan to do gift cards plus a little box of chocolates.

[Anonymous]

Gift cards to Barnes and Noble. I buy them at the grocery store. It's easy and I think the teachers like it.

[Anonymous]

As an elementary school teacher, I can say that I most look forward to the gifts that I know I will use. Some of my favorites have been gift cards to the movies, Starbucks, restaurants, and the mall. While gift cards to book stores are nice, keep in mind that teachers tend to get LOTS of them and there are only so many books one can buy! If you really want to be creative, I've had parents give themed food gifts that I thought were wonderful. For example, one gave an Italian themed basket that she put together at Trader Joe's. On top of everything else, a nice note of is always a greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

What denomination of gift card would be appropriate for a part-time day care? I send my daughter to daycare three days a week and was thinking of a $30 card for the main teachers, $15 for their main floater and give them all small boxes of candy....candy and no gift card for the floaters that don't always work in the baby room.

I have no idea if this is appropriate. I've heard everything from $5 to Starbucks but no one has given me a straight answer!

[Anonymous]

PP, I am wondering about the same thing. Between my two kids, I have 14 teachers and daycare providers - not including the art, PE, media, computer lab, and music teachers and school counselor to whom I will send a nice note, but am foregoing the gift. If I were to do $25 per teacher, I will be spending more money on daycare teachers than Santa will spend on my kids. Yet, I want to do something if it is the right thing to do.

[Anonymous]

I have worked as both a preschool teacher and a middle school teacher and I agree with one of the PP that said gift cards are the best gifts. I really cant think of anyone that wouldn't use and appreciate a gift card to Starbucks or Target. I would say between $15-$30 would be more than generous for your child's primary teachers/aide who are with them all day and between $5-$10 for those who work with them only occasionally. I can say that no matter what you give, the fact that you took the time to think of the teacher that gives so much to your child everyday will be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

For the holidays, we did a classroom gift card. All of the parents pitched in and we got large Amex gift cards, to be used anywhere for anything. A few parents got something small in addition, but it really worked out well for them. We also give so the teachers can have a holiday lunch (maybe someone can arrange a lunch/dinner at a local restaurant for the teachers)

For the end of the year, I gave each head teacher a $50 gift card and a letter in thanks.

[Anonymous]

Not to hijack the post, but who do you give gifts to each year. All of the teachers in the room or just your primary? What about floaters and the director and assistant director?

[Anonymous]

i'm always impressed by the coordinated parents who group together with other parents. i barely even know any of the other parents in my child's class.

[Anonymous]

"i'm always impressed by the coordinated parents who group together with other parents. i barely even know any of the other parents in my child's class. "

You should arrange some playdates - even a big one with the whole class.
Also, can you ask the school to host some family functions? Pot lucks or fairs, so that you can get to know the other families?

It's great getting to know the other families - I mean, your kid spends that vast majority of their time with the other kids, you know? I've made some truly wonderful friends.