Need ideas for teacher gifts.

dss62467

dss62467

Cathlete
My daughter's last day of preschool/daycare is rapidly approaching and she'll be off to kindergarten. She has been with her head teacher for almost 2 years, and the other two for a year, so they have been a huge part of her life. They are all wonderful people and have done an awesome job in helping us tohave a child who is a joy to be around.

So...I want to get each of them something special to say "thanks". The head teacher is a woman who is probably in her mid twenties. One of the assistant teachers is also a young woman, maybe 24? And the 3rd is a young man, who is also probably in his early 20's.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I know one woman is getting them picture frames, so that's out. I had thought about gift certificates, but thought that wasn't special enough. These people have been MORE than just teachers.
 
As a special education teacher(I teach behaviorally challenged kindergarten students) who works closely with a regular kindergarten teacher, the thing I enjoy the most is when a parent takes the time to write or tell me what I've meant to them and their child. Sometimes a teacher only hears from the parents who aren't happy or from the parents who want someone/something to blame for their child's diffuculty. Whatever you give them, put in writing how much they mean to you and your child and that will be something they treasure forever and can take out on those rough days and re-read.
Angela:7
 
Hi :)
I'm a preschool teacher. I love, love, love getting letters/notes/cards from my kids, and photographs. Knowing why I was special to a child makes my day. Everything you wrote in your post should go into the card you give each teacher.

But, gifts are great, too! Ask the director and other staff members what the special interests of each teacher are. Where do they shop? Where do they eat? I personally love getting gift cards to Barnes and Noble or Bath and Body Works, or even Target! Even gift cards or certificates to a restaurant are nice. I've liked getting tickets to movie theaters, and once got a gift card to Blockbuster and a bunch of candy and popcorn to go with it.
Some of my most treasured gifts are things that children have made for me at pottery-painting places. I have a set of coasters from a little girl named Madison whom I taught about 10 years ago, and a mug from a little girl named Carly from just a few years ago.

Pretty things are also nice--I have a lovely little beaded change purse, adorable ceramic thumbtacks in the shapes of bees and butterflies, a sweet little ceramic stamp box, and a couple of lovely small round compacts with beautiful flowers. Once a mom made me a bracelet out of purple crystals because she knew purple is my favorite color. I love all of those gifts because they are so unique.

As for the young man, that's tougher. I would probably go for a gift card or a hand painted mug... Find out if he's in to music or reading, and you could do gift cards.

But remember, the card with the "they have been a huge part of her life. They are all wonderful people and have done an awesome job in helping us to have a child who is a joy to be around." is the most important thing to give them.

Wendy
 
As another teacher, I agree with the suggestions already given (Bath & Body Works and Target gift cards!). I would add one more. I was given a blanket several years ago and just received one more that I LOVE!! The students made them with a little help from Mom. They are those really soft ones where it is just 2 pieces of material and then you cut the edges, every couple of inches and then you are left with "ties". You tie a know with the 2 pieces all the way around the blanket. they are beautiful and so soft. I have a HUGE one and then one that is perfect for naps! I am not sure really how they are made, but I am sure someone here knows the actual name for them and how to make them. I think that you would still have time to do one of these. they seem pretty easy to make.

Jenn
 
I agree with the suggestions already given 3 of my very good friends are all teachers. And the one thing they love, is getting stuff from the kids to remember them by, one loves to dig out the scrap book she keeps all that stuff in and show me whenever there is something new, and she brags to everyone about *her* kids. Also something nice and relaxing is a good thing too, like an at home foot treatment, or neck massagers, both are relativity inexpensive as gifts and gives them something that they can actually use. But I’d sure see if your little one would draw a picture or even tell you a made up story and have the three teachers’ as the heroes.

HTH,

Kit
 
Yes, a nice notecard with a very nice message expressing how much they meant to your child would be very special.

At the end of the school this year we all chipped in and gave our preschool teacher a gift basket with beauty products and a spa day gift certificate. For Christmas I gave her a very pretty Revlon lip gloss palette, and a Bath and Body Set--our teacher was a real girly-girl.

So maybe for the ladies, a gift cert. for a manicure or a pedicure, or a gift cert. to Target.

For the guys--a Best Buy gift certificate would be a good idea. Guys love electronics and gadgets. :)

Lori
 
Oh my gosh Lori...I would have LOVED your gift...I'm a girly girl too...I just don't look like it at the end of my teaching day!:* :7
Angela
 
Definitely a special thank you note: maybe with a picture of your daughter and/or a picture drawn by your daughter (or have your daughter contribute art to the cards, then include a picture of her and a thank-you from you).

In addition to that, you've been given a lot of good ideas. I'd caution against getting any kind of scented gift, though (body wash, candles, etc.) because everyone has a different idea of what smells nice. A gift certificate (as someone else mentioned, to a spa) is a nice idea, and would give her some post-work relaxation time.
 
OK...the consensus seems to be gift certificates. What do you think is a good amount? $25, $30 or more?
 
As an ex-8th grade teacher, I agree with the others. Special notes, thank-you cards meant the world to me. Just let her know what she has done for your child and how you appreciate her, I know that would make my day!
I also got a gift certificate for Bath & Body Works, and I loved that too. That was probably my favorite 'gift' that I got, because I could splurge on myself. I think it was for $10, which I thought was plenty! I would have been happy with a $5 gift certificate!
Anyway, you are sweetheart for wanting to give her teacher something!
 
>OK...the consensus seems to be gift certificates. What do
>you think is a good amount? $25, $30 or more?

Hey Donna, I think 25 is fine. :)\

Lori
 
I am a Nursery School Teacher and I love gift certificates for sure. But, I don't like when they are too much. I feel a little awkward receiving them. I know how hard it is to pay for childcare and as children hit school there are so many things to spend money on. I like a $10 gift cert, and a picture from the child. I might live in an area that is less wealthy than you, so that might be unreasonably low. But, when you are giving three teachers gifts it adds up quick. Sometimes parents will combine resources and give a larger amount, which is nice too. You sound like yours will be a family the teachers will miss. You can never be too supportive to those who spend their days devoted to your children.
Heather
 
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