Question for Elementary School Teachers

my mother in law is a teacher and she said that teachers really appreciate anything they get. yes they get too many of some things but, the nice stuff like bath and body works and yankee candles. they really like. gift cards are the new thing for teachers but, i would ask some of the parents that had the teacher last year what her favorites are. our teacher gave us a list of things she likes. (a little over the top but, whatever!)

Gift cards to restaurants and Barnes and Noble. Also, a note from the parents of my students saying thank you is a nice touch and something I always keep in a special file. I go back and read them on tough days!

I am a substitute Elementary teacher, therefore I know them pretty well since I am in the classroom often. My SIL is also an elementary teacher.

Please.....no candles, lotions, coffee cups, etc. They have an abundance of them.

Likes: gifts cards, any denomination. school supplies for the classroom....MOST teachers spend their own money for a lot of supplies for general use, "treasure boxes", etc. There are a lot of teachers who receive a nice picture frame with a snapshot of them with a certain student. Hand written thank yous, etc.

Personally....since my daughter is now in 9th grade, we don't do many teacher gifts since she has about 10 teachers. We just do cheer coaches and orchestra director now.

In the past, I have given Starbucks gift cards which were a huge hit as well as movie tickets for 2.

You are very sweet to think of your children's teachers.

I am an elementary teacher.

Starbucks gift cards are great--also I know Sonic drinks are popular, so that may work as well.

Baked goods/desserts are lovely.

Scarves are nice for winter if you feel like you have a good handle on that particular teacher's taste.

Nice stationary can be useful as well as nice pens.

Some other ideas would be gourmet dip mixes, personalized items (if it is for personal use don't get "Mrs. _____" put on it, use initials or first names), or something from their classroom wishlist.

We do tend to get lots of coffee cups, lotion, and stuffed animals.

Honestly, my favorite gifts I ever received were hand written, genuinely thankful notes from the kids. When you get a whole lot of the same stuff year after year, it is really nice to read a note from a student telling you how you've impacted them. That's what teachers are in it for anyway, you know?

You are very kind to be thoughtful enough to ask this question.

Gift cards are best. We recieve a lot of chocolate and sweets, which put on the pounds! I am not good at resisting these things...

Gift cards give us the gift of "time." In the evening, after school, it is a treat to go out to eat, and if a little is paid for by a gift card, even better! It doesn't have to be much.

Thank you for thinking of others. Your children are blessed to have you for their mother, E., as you are a really thoughtful person.

www.mycmsite.com/marycluley

E.,

Several years ago my room mom got together with the other parents and started a charm bracelet for me. Some put in a few dollars each and purchased the bracelet, and some brought a charm to put on it. It's something that can be added on to and treasured. I put all sorts of charms on it. I have charms from the mall, charms from James Avery, and charms from bubblegum machines. I put them ALL on it with the same hoopla and appreciation. I have charms that represent an individual student, and charms from field trips that we took as a class. I have charms that students said reminded them of me, and charms that they brought back from vacations. I use it at the beginning of the year to introduce myself to my students.

I personally like the candles and gift cards better than the mugs. Last year I recieved a really nice aroma diffuser and loved it. We can't burn candles in the classroom, but the diffuser I was able to put in a discreet place and enjoy it throughout the day.

:-)
T. Cobbs