Christmas Gift for My Son's Teacher

A gift card to a book store is what I liked. or maybe the mall. Can't tell you how touching it is to get presents from the kids, although you don't get that overwelmed. A Gift card is ALWAYS useful to me. Although the other year one parent gave me all the things and recipe to make fudge and I made it for my family and that was pretty cool.

One of my favorite gifts was an ornamanet. The kind that looks as if it was made of dough, but bought at the Mall. Mine has 8 stockings, one with each students name. I have a small class. Also I have really appreciated gift cards to places such as 'Teaching Stuf', dinner out, movies or Target.
Hand made gifts are great too! I have and use an apron with all of my kids hand prints from one year. Teachers do enjoy feeling appreciated. So a simple note can really do the trick. Oh and Apple decor is fun, but you can only find places for so much. Hope this helps.

When my daughter was in kinder last year, I had her pick one small 'thoughtful' item at Target, then I gave each of her two teachers a $20 gift card from there. One of her choices was a pencil sharpener "because Miss L has this pretty pink pencil and it broke off!" And the other was a pair of earrings because "Miss S always wears earrings, so she really likes them."
I teach music, so don't get the same kinds of things as classroom teachers. But from word-of-mouth, young teachers don't mind ornaments, mugs, and teacher-themed gifts, but the long-term teachers have had hundreds of those already. Maybe a $5 Starbucks or Blockbuster card with a book for the classroom?

I just came across this today. I thought it was a cute idea and could be used as a gift with just the dry ingredients with a tag with the wet ingredients and instructions.
MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
1 Coffee Mug
4 tablespoons flour(that's plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
Small splash of vanilla
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well . Add the egg and mix
thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to share!)

ENJOY!

I'm a huge starbucks fan and many of my parents had noticed. I received a lot of gift cards for starbucks and loved it. it was so nice to have my daily treat paid for for awhile.

also if your child's class does the scholastic or arrow book club orders they often have a choice where you can give your teacher a gift certificate for a free book. Those are a nice way for the teacher to buy classroom books that aren't supplied by the school without spending their own money.

I have a couple fun ideas. Kinda depends on whether or not you want something for the classroom.

One of the best ideas, i find, is the Tool Turn About from the Pampered Chef. Not just because i sell it, but because its a great additions to organize and better accessorize their desk. They can put all their pen/ pencils, ruler's, markers, chalk, Scissors, and other items in them so they are easy to get to for her and the students and are not all stuffed in a drawer or jumbled on their desk. Also I have some compiled some other ideas from you that i share with clients year round:)

Gifts for Teachers

Looking for a gift for the teacher ? Teachers give so much of themselves to
help your child learn, it means so much to them to be appreciated by
parents.

Suds pump, "You've really Pumped me up for learning!" Especially great
for those who teach little ones.

Ultimate Mandoline, "Anyway you Slice it, You are the GRATEST!"

Apple Wedger - "You've wedged your way into our hearts!"

Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer, or Veggie peeler -"You are 'APEELING' to my
mind!"

Nonstick Cooling Rack - "You are one Cool Teacher!"

The Ice Cream Scoop with a big red bow and tagged "Thanks for teaching me
the " scoop! "

The Adjustable Measuring Spoons tied together with curling red ribbon and
tagged "You really measure up"

The Paring Knife with Sharpening Case "Any way you slice it you're great"
(also makes a great knife for the classroom, lunch box and picnic basket)

The Hold 'N Slice is used in so many classrooms to help children to
learn how to slice foods safely.

The Bar Board makes a great cutting board for the classroom and is so
easy to store in a desk drawer.

The Kitchen Shears are awesome for crafts, packages, cooking, the
garden, and so much more!

With the Smooth-Edge can opener, there is no risk of children being cut
by a sharp can edge.

The Serving Tongs are wonderful for children to serve themselves without
making a mess of the table. It helps them acquire independence to serve
themselves.

The Quick-Stir Pitcher is a must for any time juice, jello, pudding,
Kool-Aid, or Lemonade are made.

The Garlic Press and Baker's Roller are the best playdough tools....and
they are dishwasher safe!

You know every teacher would use a Celebration plate year round!

The Mini Serving Spatula is the perfect size for small hands!

Nylon Pan Scrapers are a preschool teacher's friend. What better tool to
clean off tables smeared with play dough, clay, dried paint, dried glue and
oh so much more!

The Cookie Press can be used by all children year-round with 16
different shapes for all occasions.

The Flour Sugar shaker can make any child into the best "duster" for
powdered sugar, flour and cinnamon sugar.

The Deluxe Mini Muffin Pan is a teacher’s dream. Make 24 cupcakes for the
entire class and only once in the oven. Not to mention no waste of half
eaten cup cakes and oh so much less frosting. (enough said)

The All-Purpose spreader is the only way to go to frost cupcakes. And a
great size for little hands.

The Bread Tubes make the coolest bread! Child size sandwiches, fun
shaped- sliced cheese, ice cream, sliced meat, rice krispie treats, jello
molds and so much more.

The 3 sizes of Stainless Steel Scoops allow children of all sizes (adults included) to make the perfect size cookies.

The Corn Butterer is the best thing since sliced bread when children
want to put their own butter on their corn on the cob.

The Handy Scraper is the Handiest clean up tool around.....so many
uses outside of the kitchen.

Small Bamboo Spoons: are perfect for little hands to help stir and they don't
stain either, and dishwasher safe.

The Clock Timer is the best for time outs, timed quizzes, races,
teachers always need to watch the clock. And it attaches to the chalk board,
clips on pockets, and sits on the desk so it makes a perfect gift!

The Micro Cookers are wonderful for anything that needs to be
microwaved.

The Adjustable Scoop and Measuring Spoons help make concept of
measurement easier with just a slide of the finger.

The Crinkle Cutter makes cutting everything so much more fun and fancy.

A two year old can use the Deluxe Cheese Grater to grate everything from
cheese to carrots to chocolate.

Hi Laurie,

I recently researched this last year when my daughter was in pre-school and needed ideas for five teachers. When I googled the topic, I found a website in which teachers had written in about receiving gifts.

Yes, they receive tons of cute keepsakes but what they really enjoyed receiving where gift cards where they could do something for themselves. Ex: Starbucks, pedicure or manicure, local restaurant, movie tickets etc.

Hope this helps.

L.

Hi Laurie,
I always try making a craft with my child of that teacher so they can feel the present is truly from them not just mom. We have made plaques using a new mouse trap glue a button on the trigger and paint Complaint department...press button. Or another idea is to get a cloth garden glove, stuff it with cotton batting curl the middle, ring, and pinkie fingers, cross the thumb across and attach it across the nuckles of the down fingers,stitch them all down leaving the pointer finger up as a reminder you need to take note. Then you can slide a pencil through those fingers to hold the pencil. Then you can drape a note pad from the elastic strap on the back of the glove. This makes a good gift for a lot of people not just teachers.
If you don't have time for crafts, reward, good job, well done, stickers make a good gift. Then watch your childs face when "Her","His" stickers come home on their papers.
Good luck. M.

Don't forget about music, art, and P.E. teachers, they work hard too and spend a lot of time helping shape your child's mind and physical skills. That said, I would agree that something made from the heart is great. I really like the tote bag idea somebody mentioned.

We always get gifts that they can use in the classroom....books..etc...

As a teacher I received many wonderful gifts from students and their families. I had a Tweety bird key chain on my keys for about 10 years - not because I like Tweety bird, but because I remember the look on the little boy's face when he gave it to me every time I see it.

One of the most memorable gift was a gift certificate for a massage (I've been lucky enough to get two of those over the years). Many don't consider teaching physical work, but even if you aren't lifting kids, you are still standing and kneeling and crouching most of the day. I have wonderful notes from families and drawing from children that I will keep forever. The most meaningful gift was a family that made a homemade Mexican feast for the entire staff at a preschool where I taught (There were only 7 of us) and included letter to all of us thanking us for everything we do for them and their children.

Anything from the heart is nice. Families who know how much I like books give me gift certificates to bookstores with instructions that I spend it on myself and not my classroom. families who know my love of coffee give me gift certificates to coffee places. One family made a coffee gift basket for me and my co-teacher one year since we were both coffee nuts. Anything that shows that you know a little something about the teacher as a person and that you appreciate him/her as a teacher will be cherished.

My mother has been a teacher for ever. She has more mugs, fancy soap, and candles than you can shake a stick at. That said, she is always appreciative of any gift and takes it in the spirit is intended. But, as her daughter, I would recommend one of two things: a.) gift cards are great--my mom has especially enjoyed gift cards to bookstores or places like Flying Star/or similar restaurants; b.) edibles! Homemade breads, an organic fruit basket, or anything you find really tasty. You don't have to spend much money on any of these things. My mom has gotten five dollar gift cards to Flying Star and it means she can order a really fancy coffee without having to justify the expense. A ten dollar gift card to a bookstore means a book, or a gift for a grandchild--teachers are doing their Christmas shopping as well.

Last year for my daughter Kinder teacher we went to Michael's & i let her pick out pretty crystal beads for her teacher bought some sterling bracelet hooks. I daughter make her a very pretty crystal & pearl bracelet that could be worn look stylish & be from the heart. I think this will be come a tradition for our family combined with a gift card it makes a nice gift.

I taught for nine years before I had my little ones. Yes, gift cards are always nice--it allowed my husband (who is also a teacher) and me to go out when we otherwise couldn't. My most memorable gifts though were from a mom who was also a teacher. She put together very thoughtful gift baskets (some were loaded and she spent a lot, others were very simple, but just as meaningful). For example, at Thanksgiving, she gave me a basket shaped like a pumpkin and filled it with fall-ish things (like a candle and room spray from Pier 1 and cute pumpkin placemats). For Christmas, she gave me a basket with goumet dip mixes, and gift cards to several special eateries in our little town. At the end of the year, she gave me some pretty silver jewelry. I don't think it matters what kind of budget you have, you can do something similar. Another student gave me a pretty beaded bracelet that probably didn't cost more than $10 or so, but I wear it often. Those are the gifts that years later, make me think of those students and their thoughtfulness.

I am also a SAHM now after teaching for several years. I agree with the previous post about receiving too many candles/lotions/stuffed animals/etc. The gifts I enjoyed the most were usually gift cards to a bookstore, movie theater, restaurant, or even the "Simon" gift cards that you can used just about anywhere.

My oldest is in first grade so I was in your shoes last year :) We ended up giving gift cards and they alway seemed to be appreciated. If my son wanted to make something small or do something himself for the teacher, I let him and still gave the gift card. As and end of the year gift, I contacted all of the parents and put together a gift card tree and they were very grateful. I used a big flower I found at Michaels, had all the parents send in a gift card of their choice, for whatever amt they could afford, or wanted to give, and then I put the cards on the flower and we gave them to the teacher and EA. To personalize it a bit, I made some home made stationary with my son for him to give to the teachers on the last day.

I was a teacher for 8 years and saw all kinds of gifts. Christmas is my favorite holiday so I loved getting ornaments for my tree. I am not a coffee drinker at all and every year got multiple Starbucks gift cards.While I appreciated the gift, I usually re-gifted these to someone who would use them. I was a big fan of movie tickets or gift cards I could use on a date with my hubby. One xmas I was pregnant and a lot of my students got me things for the baby- including handmade blankets etc... I loved getting an adorable bracelet one year. I too was overwhelmed with lotions, candles and candy/baked goods. I totally agree with the mom who wrote that the best gifts came from people who spent time getting to know the teacher and found out the teacher's interests.

Some non-traditional gifts (for a variety of budgets) that might be fun and appreciated could be: Prepaid print plan for shutterfly/walgreens/costco etc..., gift card for a pedicure, bring in breakfast for the class, bottle of wine (you would probably want to put a note to teacher to open at home-I would have loved this!), a cute but inexpensive shirt to wear to work, fuzzy/cozy socks, a box of general all-occasion greeting cards or a set of personalized thank you cards (teachers are always writing these!) a fun cookbook, an inexpensive magazine subscription that gets sent to school so the teacher can look forward to getting something fun in their mailbox, a case of soda they love. I always spent my own money on rewards for the classroom and craft supplies-you can always make up a box of goodies and mark it is as classroom rewards.

Have fun shopping! I am an advanced planner too and already have stocking stuffers for my girls. It helps with the checking account if I start early. Happy Halloween

hi i went through this place called family labels and you can design a kind of like cartoon drawing of her with her name or a saying like "from the desk of" and put it on a note pad that she keeps on her desk to send notes home. useful and personal she will love it not sure how much they cost anymore it was a while ago but i bought the labels that you put on your envelopes i send them out at christmas time and it has the whols familys picture on it you will see what i mean just go to there website something like famliylabels.com good luckkari

I'll be completely honest- gifts are sooo sweet from students, but not necessary! I never kept tabs on who got me gifts versus who didn't. My favorites were something I could use up- such as a chocolate bar, candle, or a gift certificate. Homemade cards were always really touching for me, too.

Keep in mind that presents really stack up when 15 kids get one every year, so small things or something to keep in the classroom (maybe a Bamboo plant?) work well, too.

Hope that helps!
:-) T.

I have been a teacher for 8 years. The very best gifts are the ones where the giver made an effort to get to know me and got something they knew I'd enjoy. Otherwise, I love gift cards- especially to Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, and restaurants I might not otherwise visit. I also appreciate gifts that can be used in the classroom. Finally, keepsake-type things, like a mini-scrapbook of a field trip/classroom event, an ornament, or something else that a student has helped make/pick out for me, are wonderful and cherished. Every year, I wish parents and students would avoid giving me candy (especially the not-so-high-quality kind, or knick-knacks, or candles, or other things that they've given me for the sake of giving me something. Those are the gifts that get re-gifted and/or given away. Hope that helps!

gift cards are kind of generic but if youdont knowher that well it may be somethingthat she can enjoy, and what gilr doesnt like shopping? but you may want to check with the school or with her regarding gifts because a lot of schools these days dont allow the teachers to accept gifts. if that is their policy then maybe some art supplies she can use for the whole class or some kind of supplies because a lot of teachers spend their own money on extra stuff that most schools dont have money for these days. i would think that a gift card for a store like Michaels would be good because there are no caloires involved there or maybe to a book store.

I was a teacher before becoming a stay at home mom. Here are the gifts that I received too much of...candles, lotion, cookies/baked goods, figurines and stuffed animals. It wasn't that I was ungrateful, but I received so much of that kind of stuff and I couldn't use it all. Gifts I received that I really liked were a pretty fashion necklace (not an expensive one), Cold Stone gift cards, Target gift cards, movie passes.
Good luck...

Laurie,

When i was a teachers assitant for a k-1 class some of my memorable gifts from students were....a nice tote bag with my name printed on it...i use it to this day and that was over 8 years ago, i recieved a picture of the meanings of both my name and my husbands name next to each other and i framed it and that is on my wall to this day...I loved gift cetificates to...the movies, to my favorite restraunts, and to teacher supply stores. I hope these ideas help

K.

Dear Laurie... I dearly loved notes of appreciation! A note of thanks, perhaps detailing some specific instances of special consideration or actions, always meant the most to me over my 35+ years of teaching. A gift certificate from a bookstore was also a favorite, as it allowed me to have a choice of multiple useful items. Hope this helps!
L.L. / Phx

I have a few friends that are teachers and they like the last post love gift cards to starbux.