Re: If money is kind of tight...

im dreading this b/c our budget is tight too. but jack has been with his main teacher all year..since like january. so i have to get her something nice. He loves her.

I'll probably get a giftcard and add in some home made lollies.

last year I did $25 gift cards to amazon for the 2 main girls.

For the main teacher in his room i'll have to give between $25-50, something smaller for the teacher in the 2's room he is transitioning to now, and I usually bring in muffins/breakfast for the whole staff with a thank you note.

I like the idea of giftcards to starbucks/DD, Bath/body works, or even a small stationery set from hallmark.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

7-11 is a good gc too!

Re: If money is kind of tight...

last year I made these and gave them to the teachers:

Crayon Art

Also, this time of year, restaurant.com has GC for 80% off right now. You can get a $50 GC for $5 or $25 for $2 HTH

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Every year Emily and I make a few batches of Christmas cookies and purchase tins to give cookies to her teachers in. It is something I did with my Mom when I was in Elem school and it is something that we still do with Emily. We give into the class gift so this is something extra that we do, but the teachers always rave about them.

We also go back to the old teachers -- who she had for both years in preschool and also who she had for Kindergarten, and give them a tin of cookies. I can't tell you how these ladies go nuts over it. They are excited to see Emily each year and how she has grown, excited that she still thinks of them, and excited to get more cookies from her!

I think baked goods are a really nice gift. People used to do stuff like that all the time and now it's a lot of prepackaged stuff and gift cards, and I think as a teacher to get something more personal like that once in a while is a really nice thing!

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Don't do homebaked. It doesn't matter how good it looks, when DH comes home with anything homebaked I throw it in the garbage. I just skeeve things that I don't know where they are baked.

$10 to Dunkin Donuts is a great gift.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Last year I gave the main teachers either Starbucks or Target GCs. For before and after care helpers I gave AMC movie tickets (bought a discounted pack at BJs). As much as I like to bake, I shy away from giving baked goods to people who are not family or close friends.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I'm not a teacher but MIL is. She likes gift cards. She regifts the bath and body works lotions and holiday decorations. She doesn't use the ornaments because she has do many from kids, grandkids etc.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I already answered this. Last year I gave $50 to the teacher, $25 to the assistant and $25 to the after care. Well sorry Charlie.. I just CAN’T!

So they are all getting little gift bags of candy. Gonna make it crafty but that’s all I got. The after care teachers will get candy gift wrapped (small things) and the teacher and assistant will get the craft made bags.

My tuition when up $100 and times ARE tough. They should understand and I hope they are grateful for us at least thinking of them.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I work in a school based setting and to be honest, if I get baked goods, I do throw them out.

A gift card for 5 dollars is greatly appreciated - dunking donuts, starbucks, 7-eleven ect.... In my eyes that is one less coffee or breakfast that I have to buy and it is the thought that counts.

I also just appreciate a card where my kids sign it themselves. Again, it shows that you were thinking of me at the holidays and you appreciate my services.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I have to laugh at the throwing it out bit, because how many bakers these days work out of their home? I guess the professional packaging vs. a cookie tin makes a difference? Maybe I'll put a company tag on my platter of chocolate covered goodies for the school office this year

Re: If money is kind of tight...

This year I am getting them all movie tickets.

4 tickets each for the 2 ladies who run it and 2 tickets each for the other girls.

I also bought boxed candy to go with it.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

$5 to DD is great

A scented candle from Bath and Body...you can wrap it urself in cellophane and a nice bow for an extra touch

a box of chocolates is a good idea also.

As a former nursery teacher, baked goods go in the trash...unfortunately.

ETA: one year I got a #1 teacher ornament personalized with my name on it and the school year....I love it and put it on my tree every year......of course you can only do this if they celebrate xmas.

Message edited 11/15/2011 2:19:59 PM.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

To be totally honest, I think that homemade goods go to waste especially with so much other food being around at the holidays.

I think the best gifts I get from students are small and simple. $5 GC(I think that is plenty, or more if you want) to Dunkin or Starbucks cards.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

When i was a teacher I would rather a $5.00 GC to Starbucks, DD, or 7-11 than anything homemade.

I think 5-10 $ GCs to those places is a good gift for a preschool teacher, especially since there are 3. Or do a little more for the main person. Or if you were looking to spend a little more, a GC in a nice coffee mug is good too.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I always liked small plants in pretty pots, photo albums, special stationary, or small gift cards. Edibles are touch and I go-to be honest I eat them from some families but not others, but atbthat time of year there is so much food going around sometimes it is over kill.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I plan on giving gift cards to the director (she watches DS at drop off), her assistant (she was DS teacher’s assistant for about 2 weeks) his current teacher, the current assistant, and two teachers at pick up (used to watch at pick up but I really like them) gift cards to DD/Target. I will also give each of them an antibacterial gel bottle and the small one to match. I don’t want to spend more than $20 per person. He just started in September. It’s a lot of people now that I think about it. His original teacher left and there was a transition period of who his teacher was going to be. Plus all of these people actually watch DS in some way. Either in the morning or the afternoon so I feel they deserve something.

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I think you give what you can, i personally feel they are near the top of my list (minus my kids), they take care of my kids when i work and giving them guideance of acceptable behavior, education, etc. So I probably go overboard with gifts for teachers. (I try to send about a week tuition on teacher gifts).

That said in my kids current pre-k/daycare we are doing a group gift. Everyone is contributing between 25 and 50 dollars for teacher (depends if ft/pt or what can afford). and it will give each of the 4 teachers aapprox 150-200 gc.
It allows the parents to keep the amount somewhat small but gives the teachers a large gift they can use for themselves.

(I usually give a small extra gift but again I know i go overboard)

Re: If money is kind of tight...

Honestly, I always throw out any homemade bake goods. I am always weary of where they came from. (not to imply that you are dirty) I never know if baking time was a time to bond with your LO and it can be somewhat germy.

I love getting homemade cards from the kids. They are so cute and I always keep them along with any nice notes from parents. I think it is less about the amount of money and more about putting time into a gift. Teachers put a lot of time into lessons for kids and love anything that makes them feel appreciated.

One year I received a mouse pad with cute little pictures on it and my name. It must have been from shutterfly or vistaprint. It was probably cheap, but my favorite gift.

FWIW- Stay away from mugs- After 5 years of teaching, I have 15!

Re: If money is kind of tight...

I bought DS's therapists scarf sets (less than $10). I agree with the baked goods--I always throw away if I am given baked goods from students.

I was between scarf set, candles, picture frame, or bath and body works lotion.

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i would totally bake, and you know if they don't appreciate it, it's the thought that counts.

I think we have gotten wayyyy overboard with the feeling of having to give gifts and feeling bad about not being able to afford them.

I have 3 kids who between school, daycare, dance, gymnastics, etc. We have ALOT of teachers. They all pretty much get the same thing and for the most part they all apreciate it.

If I have the time i do cookies or something along that line. if i dont have the time, it's a small basket of chocolates. After all who doesn't love chocolate!!