For the teachers that my children had who are Jewish, I usually put a MasterCard or Visa gift card inside a pretty thank you card, and write a note. They were very appreciative.

Any time in December is fun. Go for a holiday gift unless you know someone specifically celebrates a specific holiday.

My kid attends a Jewish preschool (full-day, so it functions as daycare). We are Jewish, as are about 75 percent of her classmates, but neither of her teachers are. The director is Jewish, and maybe about half the teachers, but not the ones in my kid's class. So, do I give holiday presents? Christmas presents? New year's? Chanukah ( which comes 3 weeks before Xmas this year)? When should I give them?