Gifts for Preschool Teachers - South Beloit,IL

I agree with a small amount of money on a gift card, but in all honesty, what in the world ever happened to writing a very sincere "Thank You" note? Teachers get lots of little gifts, but sometimes, I think really letting someone know that they are doing a terrific job that you are genuinely, sincerely appreciative of is always called for, and it is also won't cause them to have any clutter at home!

For my daughter's teachers last year I got them a pair of fuzzy socks. Then I went to Bath & Body works and got them the small travel hand sanitizers 5 for $5. Then I got a book for the classroom. (Fancy Nancy, because my daughter is a girl who always came in outfits (dresses) that they always commented on how she could be Fancy Nancy.)

Then at the end of the year I got them each a $10 gift card to barnes and noble.

It doesn't have to be a big expense, just something to show you appreciate them.

You could make something like the following:

http://www.kitchenlink.com/holiday/merrygifts.html

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/recipes/gifts-in-a-jar...

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-homemade-sugar-scrubs....

http://www.beauty-and-the-bath.com/homemade-beauty-recipe...

I'm doing something from these. Not sure which yet.

You can try to get free jars off of Freecycle if you have one in your area.

I'm a preschool teacher and I definitely vote for the gift card or food....with a thank you card to go with either. We know that the kids love us, but it is SO nice to know that the parents think we are doing a wonderful job with their kids as well :-)

p.s. I'm not much on jewelry, but a lot of the other preschool teachers wear beautiful bead or stone necklaces. I think you can usually find them for a pretty decent price or you and your child can make some together to make it extra special.

I agree with the pp. As much as we like to think that our teachers love those heartfelt presents that we pick out for them.....they really do not need or want another mug or candle. Get them a gift card to somewhere thayou can afford...It could be a $5 Starbucks gc, a $10 panera, or $15 Barnes and noble. Or wherever else around you that you know they may like. Go to the dollar store and find a cute way to give it to them-I always put it with an ornament or in a candy dish or mug.

Last year my daughter made really cute ornaments (from Michael's) for both of her preschool teachers that I put in a cute little basket with a gift card to Borders. My girlfriend who is a grade school teacher told me that she loves to receive handmade gifts - especially ornaments - and gift cards.

When I was teaching, a student made me a no sew blanket. I loved it because it was something different, something beyond lotions and candles (which teachers get a lot of!). Fleece often goes on sale this time of year - and many of the fabric stores in our area have great coupons available too. And I looked online, the blankets are REALLY easy to make. All you need are scissors and the ability to tie knots. My son and I will be making one for his preschool teacher. Granted I will be doing most of it, but I think he will be able to make a few knots to contribute to the project. I was going to pair it with a $5 starbucks gift card or some cocoa and put something in the card about staying cozy and relaxing during the break. I will be checking back to see what other great ideas moms have.

a plate of homemade baked goods that your kiddo helped with :)

Bath and Body Works had adorable large apple holders filled with hand sanitizers in them. I thought that was a perfect gift for teachers. This is a clearance item (only $5 each), so check your local stores to see if they have any in stock. It is a nice gift that everyone can use during flu season!!
Good luck!

Gift cards. All of my teacher friends love them and they can be in small amounts, too (just think of places where a small amt. can get a lot, such as a coffee or smoothie shop).

As a preschool teacher I love gift cards. One gift, however, that I fondly remember from a few years ago (and really enjoyed) was a loaf of the most delicious Callah bread along with a yummy jam - something I would not think to buy for myself. Sometimes simple really is the best. Hope this helps.

I am a middle school teacher. When my daughter went to preschool last year, I wanted to avoid the dreaded "bad gifts".

So, we went to a local craft fair & found a lady who'd taken old spoons & turned them into ornaments. They were $3. They were unique & each teacher told me they'd actually turned into conversation pieces in their homes.

My daughter & I also wrote each one a card w/ a little poem in it. They all said they liked that so much.

If you can, try a craft fair, or a gift card is always appreciated, it is almost like our "Christmas bonus". :)

in the amount you can afford get them a gift card to target, starbucks, or a nearby eatery.

In my experience, teachers get so many little gifts around the holidays they don't even know what to do with them all! My SIL is a 1st grade teacher and she has repeatedly told me about all the "useless" junk she gets from well-meaning parents. She has actually re-gifted some of these things to me over the years! (how do I know? because she left the "to my favorite teacher" tags on them! - UGH) . Anyway, I have always been on the gift-giving end of things, and it saddens me to think that some of my past heartfelt gifts to teachers could have just ended up in the trash or re-gifted to a total stranger! My childrens' elementary school finally put a lid on the individual gifting and set up a Christmas fund for all the teachers - they pooled the money that was collected and then divided it evenly among them. Took alot of pressure off the parents to come up with multiple teachers gifts and it worked out great. Sorry, I'm getting off topic - as far as suggestions go, how about a CD if you know their musical tastes, or a gift card to Barnes and Noble? If they are tea/coffee/hot cocoa drinkers, a pretty travel mug with the appropriate beverage packets tucked inside? How about a nice scented candle? I have to agree with Brooke though, sometimes a sincere thank you card is the best gift of all.

I have lots of friends who are teachers. Sadly, they give away many of their (impractical) gifts. This year we are giving my son's teachers Barefoot Books- www.ReadandGrow.com. It's something they can use in the classroom for years to come, and I know that my son loves these books, so he gets to enjoy them there with his friends. They are offering a special now- Free Shipping on orders of $60 or more. You can even get a few gifts for the kids on your list. They are not sold in stores, and are beautiful, so they make perfect teacher and kid gifts! And a sing-a-long paperback with CD is only $9.99...

T.
Barefoot Books Ambassador
www.ReadandGrow.com

Walmart always has these great baskets with bath goodies in them and they are very inexpensive.

Depending on your budget...
- giftcards for a manicure at a nearby salon (close enough that they can go during lunch or after work)
- buy the staff breakfast or lunch one day... give them a gift certificate to a local delivery (or take out ) restaurant and attach the menu with a little note
-gift card (in any denominatino) to Barnes and Noble or Target... they are always welcome
-baked goods... really great especially if they are working and don't have the time to bake for their own family!
-framed artwork by your child... sounds cheesy but I have long since left my school psychologist days behind, but still have hanging the framed artwork that the PTA did for me one year. It's a beautiful reminder of why I do what I do!

Please try to avoid:
- hand lotions (most teachers don't use them b/c of kids allergies)
-mugs
-"containers" that are seasonal and not really reusable

I have got the answer! The One Trip Tote. Www.onetriptote.com. Check out the site and you'll see why this is PERFECT for teachers or any busy woman!!! It's an oversized open tote that they can load up with everything they are hauling back and forth. It's beautiful, uUNIQUE and USEFUL. I get all our teachers one. And they are at a perfect price point... Around $35. They'll love it!!!!!!!