If money is kind of tight...

What are you doing for daycare teachers gifts for the holidays?

Loey goes 3x/week, will be starting to go 4x/week starting in December.

He has 3 teachers. It seems like 1 is the "main" teacher and the other 2 aren't, but I'm honestly not sure how it really works.

1 teacher I have never seen there without another teacher being present.

1 is always there at drop off.

1 is the one who led the "back to school" open house night and is also the one who did his "parent-teacher conference" (all in quotes because I mean, he's not even 2! It's not real school! ) I consider her the main teacher for these reasons...

What can I do for gifts? Is it totally cheap and tacky to do like a homemade basket of goodies (maybe cookies, candy, chocolate covered stuff, etc.)? Or should I do that with a smaller gift card? If so, how much?

Or just suck it up and give a good gift card? If so, how much?

Re: If money is kind of tight...

id like to hear this as well.

by the way how much is a lot and how much is a little for teachers?
I am sooo clueless.

Message edited 11/14/2011 1:36:35 PM.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I think the basket of baked goodies would be great, but that's because I know you and I would totally eat your food . I've read on here that some teacher moms say they throw away any home made food, so I'm not sure that's the best idea, KWIM?

I'd probably do a small gift card. DS is not in daycare so maybe I'm way off here, but I think something like a $15 gc sounds good.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I would do a small GC for each. He wasn't there all year, right?

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Before I read your whole post I thought you should just bake.
You have an awesome talent love and anyway would appreciate a basket of your goodies - don't give it a second thought!

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I would do something edible, either homemade or store bought. There are a lot of cute gift basket towers etc. in the stores. I'm not a fan of giving gift cards or cash at all.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Usually Home goods has a nice selection of inexpensive boxed chocolates! Add your homeade cookies to that and you got yourself a very nice thoughtful tasty gift!

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I think cash/gc.


Since he is only there since Sept, I would say 10-20 each.

Got any credit card points you could cash in for gift cards ?

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Honestly... $10 GC a person is great.

$5 if money is tight.

I'd rather have a $5 to Starbucks than food...

My mom was a teacher & her fav gifts were gift cards & stuff made by students (think Xmas ornaments).

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Re: If money is kind of tight...

As a 1st grade teacher, I was a big fan of getting the anitbacterial soaps from Bath and Body works. Do you know anyone that goes to the city? One year I got all of the "staff" at work pashminas, got a great deal from a vendor and they came out to likee $4 each.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I agree with the others and think that a GC is your best bet. It doesn't matter how much it is - they always are useful! I would do one to Starbucks or DD.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

As a teacher, I don't eat home baked gifts. I once saw a class where the teacher and all but one child got food poisoning from under cooked cupcakes. That one child that didn't get sick was from the Ukraine.

I always appreciate a gift card no matter how much it is for.
I also keep and use every ornament I was ever given. I write the year, school, and child's name on it.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I agree with one of the other posters. While baked goods seem like a great idea, I personally wouldn’t eat them. Mainly for the same concern the other poster had. But I just looked online at Bath and Body Works and they have really cute gift sets starting at $7.50 and some really cute ones at $10.00. Our daycare just sent out notices that we are not allowed to spend more than $10 per teacher.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Re: If money is kind of tight...

As a teacher I'm a bit hesitant eating some baked goods..we had a few bad experiences with child birthday cookies/cupcakes brought in.

I'd much rather have a $5-10 gift card to Dunkin Donuts; Starbucks, movies, etc. than a knick knack type of thing.

Also, while I agree the above Bath & Body Works stuff is very cute; I know personally I get a ton & usually end up regifting.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Re: If money is kind of tight...

don't feel the need to keep up with everyone elses wallets / gifts. You give what you can. If that means a heartfelt homemade gift then so be it. I'm sure it won't go unappreciated, especially if you are good at baking.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

One gift I loved was a personalized ornament. you know the kiosk that they write on. It said Miss Cheryl from Ian and the year. I will always remember that kid. I think they gave a $10 gc as well. As a teacher I loved gift cards. Target was my fav b/c I don't drink coffee.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Eta: the mom brought the kid to pick out each teachers ornament.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I give every teacher a Target gift card. Even a small one will be useful to her.

As for home baked goods, even though I LOVE to bake I would never give it. Over the years I've baked a lot of cupcakes for my son's class-- for his birthday, for various holiday parties, etc. I've noticed that some teachers will have a cupcake, some won't touch it. Could be any reason-- they don't trust other people's homemade stuff, they're on a diet, they have allergies, who knows. All I know is I wouldn't want to spent my money and energy on something that might go right in the trash.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I would bake and find a pretty dish towel or scarf to wrap the baked goods in. Tie a ribbon around and print a tag that has a recipe. DONE!

Re: If money is kind of tight...

For small gifts I give a gc to either Starbucks or DD or I but cake/bread mixes from tastefully simple and wrap them in cellophane with a bow. All DS teachers always tell me they loved te mixes after winter break bc they were so easy and yummy