Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean this in the nicest way possible...I don't want filler. If you don't know what the teacher specifically likes, just throw in a gift card if you are set on giving a gift.

OP here.. I am giving a gift card bouquet in a basket.. it's filler to fill the basket.. I am not cheaping out.

This will sound callous, but it's true: As a teacher, any filler goes straight into the prize bin for students to choose from. I have given out so many mugs, lotions, candles to kids who win class competitions over the years. I just don't need or want them. Even cookies get shared with students. The only gift I want is a nice note (copying my admin) sharing how much you appreciate something I did.

Mugs, lotions, and candles aren't unique ideas. I wouldn't put them in the basket knowing that the teacher will get plenty of those this season! Bleh. I'm looking for more out of the box ideas that teachers would like to get!

Np here. You missed the point:

No. Fillers. It's still "stuff".

Anonymous wrote:You can do just the gift card, OP. If you don't know the teacher well enough to do something more personal than candles/lotion (and that's fine!), then just the gift card is more than enough.

OP here.. yeah.. I agree.. I just have issue with handing an envelope with a gift card in it. Just a mental hump to get over..

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean this in the nicest way possible...I don't want filler. If you don't know what the teacher specifically likes, just throw in a gift card if you are set on giving a gift.

OP here.. I am giving a gift card bouquet in a basket.. it's filler to fill the basket.. I am not cheaping out.

"Cheaping out" ?
It's inappropriate to spend a lot of money on a teacher's gift. I suggest you give it to her out of sight of others.

I meant that I am not just getting cheap little things and throwing it in a basket! Don't be a grump.

You can do just the gift card, OP. If you don't know the teacher well enough to do something more personal than candles/lotion (and that's fine!), then just the gift card is more than enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean this in the nicest way possible...I don't want filler. If you don't know what the teacher specifically likes, just throw in a gift card if you are set on giving a gift.

OP here.. I am giving a gift card bouquet in a basket.. it's filler to fill the basket.. I am not cheaping out.

"Cheaping out" ?
It's inappropriate to spend a lot of money on a teacher's gift. I suggest you give it to her out of sight of others.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean this in the nicest way possible...I don't want filler. If you don't know what the teacher specifically likes, just throw in a gift card if you are set on giving a gift.

OP here.. I am giving a gift card bouquet in a basket.. it's filler to fill the basket.. I am not cheaping out.

Make it a flower basket with gift cards sticking out of it on the note holders.

OP here. That is an idea.. although I took a flower arranging class once and I was NOT very good at it LOL

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean this in the nicest way possible...I don't want filler. If you don't know what the teacher specifically likes, just throw in a gift card if you are set on giving a gift.

OP here.. I am giving a gift card bouquet in a basket.. it's filler to fill the basket.. I am not cheaping out.

Make it a flower basket with gift cards sticking out of it on the note holders.

Ask the teacher directly if he or she needs supplies like whiteboard markers (they're expensive!) or Sharpies or whatever. Things that are pricey but also things teachers very, very often end up buying out of their own pockets. I really would just ask directly and the teacher doesn't need to know the question is related to a gift basket for the holidays. One teacher we knew just loved using color Sharpies for many purposes and having kids use them too, so we gave her big sets of Sharpies a couple of times a year and she liked that!

Bear in mind that many, many teachers purchase stuff for their classrooms. Not just "extras" but essentials. It's sad, but it's reality. Gift cards to Michaels, Staples/Office Depot, and Oriental Trading Company (which has a ton of very cheap craft supplies etc.) are possibilities for the future. Most teachers will be very pleased to get help with classroom supplies. Schools just can't provide it all anymore.

A tip for next year or even this year as it's still a while until the holidays:

Back in ES, our PTA asked teachers to fill in a very simple form about their preferences. I wish I had a copy now so I could remember precisely how it asked, but the form basically asked what the teacher's favorite food, restaurant, drink, colors, movie, etc. were, and I think may have asked what were the most-needed items for the classroom as well. Teachers liked the idea (I am friends with an ES teacher at the school and she said it helped eliminate things like Starbucks cards going to teachers who don't go to Starbucks, etc.). The list helped our class one year get a gift card to a restaurant the teacher loved but which none of us would have thought about. Of course if your gift is from your family only it's harder to ask all that, but if this is a class gift from all the students/families, it might be good to coordinate asking these things of all the teachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean this in the nicest way possible...I don't want filler. If you don't know what the teacher specifically likes, just throw in a gift card if you are set on giving a gift.

OP here.. I am giving a gift card bouquet in a basket.. it's filler to fill the basket.. I am not cheaping out.

This will sound callous, but it's true: As a teacher, any filler goes straight into the prize bin for students to choose from. I have given out so many mugs, lotions, candles to kids who win class competitions over the years. I just don't need or want them. Even cookies get shared with students. The only gift I want is a nice note (copying my admin) sharing how much you appreciate something I did.

Mugs, lotions, and candles aren't unique ideas. I wouldn't put them in the basket knowing that the teacher will get plenty of those this season! Bleh. I'm looking for more out of the box ideas that teachers would like to get!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean this in the nicest way possible...I don't want filler. If you don't know what the teacher specifically likes, just throw in a gift card if you are set on giving a gift.

OP here.. I am giving a gift card bouquet in a basket.. it's filler to fill the basket.. I am not cheaping out.

This will sound callous, but it's true: As a teacher, any filler goes straight into the prize bin for students to choose from. I have given out so many mugs, lotions, candles to kids who win class competitions over the years. I just don't need or want them. Even cookies get shared with students. The only gift I want is a nice note (copying my admin) sharing how much you appreciate something I did.

Anonymous wrote:I mean this in the nicest way possible...I don't want filler. If you don't know what the teacher specifically likes, just throw in a gift card if you are set on giving a gift.

OP here.. I am giving a gift card bouquet in a basket.. it's filler to fill the basket.. I am not cheaping out.

I mean this in the nicest way possible...I don't want filler. If you don't know what the teacher specifically likes, just throw in a gift card if you are set on giving a gift.

Anonymous wrote:I am putting together a Christmas basket for the teacher and need a few filler items. Do you have any ideas that are unique but not too expensive to fill the basket? No snack foods preferably! Thank you!!

During college I worked at Crabtree and Evelyn and loved making baskets. I would say find out her favorite scent (floral, citrus, fruity, musk) and make a basket of bath and body products. If you go on pinterest you can find some teacher ideas for school supplies.

I am a coffee addict. I was thrilled when a student gave me a basket that included espresso-and-chocolate chip cookies from Trader Joe's (those were super strong!), as well as chocolate covered espresso beans and even coffee flavored jelly beans.

When my ds was a student at our school, he told everyone that I am a crazy cat lady who refers to my pet as his sister (true), and kids still give me cat toys and treats as well, which I appreciate more than mugs or random ornaments. If the teacher has a pet, you could add something for him/her.

I am putting together a Christmas basket for the teacher and need a few filler items. Do you have any ideas that are unique but not too expensive to fill the basket? No snack foods preferably! Thank you!!