i usually have dc make a bookmark and then put it in a card with a $25.00 Barnes and Noble gift card.

We contribute to a group gift.

In the past I have done gift cards as long as I know it's to a store or restaurant the teacher likes. I also write a thank you note.

I think the FCPS gift limit is $25, but not sure what it is other places.

i don't think i'm getting anything. have not had alot of contact with her. my son thinks she's fine but is not especially enthusiastic. they don't seem to be doing anything special for the holidays...

My mom is a teacher (20+ years) and last year she went on and on about a monogrammed cup (like a large plastic reusable slurpie cup) she got from one of her kids. I was like really ???

Otherwise, she gets lots of gift cards and appreciates them so much. She gets a lot to panera. (Her principal lists each teacher's favorite places.) And, my mom takes my siblings and I out to lunch with them. Each time she looks on the card and thanks the child. She'll say, "thank you Ava." And, then she might talk about Ava for a bit.

She also always gets a bunch of candles and knick knacks. It is crazy, but every year she shows me what she got, and my 50 year old mom still gets sparkles in her eyes talking to me her 'loot' and her special kids.

Have you thought about contacting the other parents and everyone contributing a small amount for a nice class gift? We are doing that this year. There are 20 kids in the class, each parent is contributing $20 - the teacher is getting the bulk of it in a gift card (with a small gift to go with it - like a mug or candle) and the assistants are splitting and getting the rest in a gift card.

We decided as a group to do this because we thought the teacher would prefer a $300 gift card that she could spend anywhere (and could probably use the money) rather than receiving several smaller items.

If you can't contact the other parents, I always think that the teachers like to receive gift cards - from either a generic type store or a Visa card or something like that - tucked into a small token-gift or if you know the teacher, something personal, like a book she's been anxious to read or something she collects.

Good luck with your search, it's very nice of you to think of your teacher.

My DS has an absolutely wonderful teacher and I want to get her something special but appropriate. Then again, I think a gift card would be practical and appreciated. Would love some ideas. Thanks!!