I'm trying to think of new teacher, teacher's aide, and bus driver gifts to give at the end of the school year. My child has had some of these same people helping her out for a number of years, so I've used up many of my old standby ideas already. I've done candles, lotion/bath stuff, jewelry, food, and plants. Once I did gift certificates, but that got pricey! Any fresh or clever ideas would be appreciated.
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With so many designs of postage stamps, you can pick out stamps for almost any teacher. You can also order them on-line from the USPS and they are mailed directly to your house.
My children's teachers appreciated them! Also, if the new 41 cent stamps are available by the time you need them, these stamps are guaranteed to stay 41 cents forever! Pick up $5 or $10 (or somewhere in-between) worth of stamps; I bet most teachers would love those!
Gift cards, even inexpensive ones are a hit. Please no nick-nacks or other dust collectors. Home baked or homemade food is great IF you know we enjoy something (I.E> if I am always watching my weight, don't give me cookies!).
The best I ever received was a heartfelt note from the special needs child I worked with that year. (I"m a school support worker) I still have it. Of course chocolates are lovely, and homemade jams and jellies are great too. If you truly do appreciate what someone does for you, or your child, then tell them.
Our class mom is very organized! Every parent is donating $5 and we are buying one nice gift for the teacher (this year it is a digital photo frame). In addition, each child is going to the dollar store to pick out one item for a "summer-time fun" basket.
I would go to the website called "SCS" it is short for
Splitcoaststampers.com
You will find many, many, and many more ideas there and just look under "gallery" , then "anything but a card" section. If you are crafty, they have quite a bit of tutiorials on there too.
You can always get glass clear balls at Michaels or Hobby Lobby and put some sprinkles in there like glitter, and put your child's school picture in there for the teacher..I did Christmas ornaments that way.
Let me know what you do, because I am thinking too.
Bonnie
gift certificates, writing paper, stamps. the postage stamps are increasing in price that would be a great gift.
Our school newsletter comes out fortnightly. In the November newsletter, the principal mentioned that it was not mandatory for students to give teachers Christmas/end of year presents- we have a mixture of religions/cultures at our school. It was suggested that parents might ask their kids what their teachers liked or things that they didn't like - we have a Hindu teacher that does not eat anything with milk in it - so chocolates not a good idea. We also have several teachers allergic to nuts. Some of the suggests we were given pot plants, tea towels, craft items eg embroided towels etc, items for the garden, food gifts - if you know what the teacher likes, stickers, pens etc.
Hope this helps
Raewyn
Being a teacher's aide I bought a tote bag and had each child put their handprint on it and put their names under each handprint.She truly loved it and still carries it to this day.
How old is your daughter? Could you get her to write a thank you note to each of these people? You could make a special gift using her note as the center and pictures of her around the edges.
Instead of giving individual gifts, how about sample baskets brought to school/transportation center in the beginning of the year and for Xmas. I make them for the doctors office too. I add perfume samples deodorant, snacks, candy, crackers, old magazines etc. This will give items they can use during the school year and tell them to keep basket on hand and you can refill every so often.
I'm in charge of organizing a class gift this year for our kindergarten teacher. I'd like to do a unique handmade gift from the kids and then collect some $ for the parents for a nice gift, like spa gift certificate.
Whenever I give any sort of home-baked goods (breads, cookies, etc.) I always include a copy of the recipe on a nice recipe card. Not only does it give a list of ingredients in the treats, but it is a gift in itself. I always find it really nice when someone shares a family or traditional recipe.
You can purchase gift certificates from Baskins-Robbins in groups of $10 denominations. Each booklet has five 2.00 gift certificates. Combine one of two of these with a bright plastic tumbler and some lemonade mix for a "have a cool summer" treat - or just include the certificate in a handwritten note card.
Design a giant check for the teacher and fill it out as you would a regular check, after collecting money from the parents you put the exact amount and give the fake check and real money to the teacher. They really love it.
Other idea is collecting money from the parents and making a "flower" bouquet with the money.
Some of the best gifts I have recieved are gift cards...the best ever was a flower pot with each child's name painted on it by them! I have seen one with each child's thumb print on it painted as a bug and name on it! I really do think a special note from an appreciative parent is so nice any time!
I took nice salad bowl from pier 1 and asked every student to bring a dollar. I took it and crumbled it up like a salad. She loved it stiring sticks are a great accessory with gift.
Someone mentioned being irritated about teachers saying no perfume, flowers, chocolate, etc. Some people have severe allergies to perfumes and flowers. I personally am diabetic, so chocolates, cookies, etc are not something I can enjoy. Unknowing students bring them and I say thank you but I am not able to enjoy their treats. The thought is very nice, but if you want it to be something the teacher can enjoy, we all like special note pads that we might not buy for ourselves. School supplies, I have gone through a box of 100 pencils already this year. You'd think students would know they need a pencil at school but they don't have them day after day after day. And no, the schools do not supply them anymore. Pencil holders for our desks, cute little containers for paperclips. Sticky notes. Gift cards to go out to dinner or to a place like Staples or a local book store. And the most inexpensive gift? A nice note from you and your child thanking us for the time we have spent with your child. It means more to us to hear those things from you than anything you can buy. (:
Every year since my son has been going to school, and he is now in third grade, I have taken pictures of everyone in his class individually and then as a group with their teacher, and make a poster out of the pictures. I put all of the children's names on the picture so the teacher will always remember their kids. I usually get the poster from Walgreen's.
I had to comment as I am a teacher and parent. I am bothered by the person who said the teacher was ungrateful because she said, please no mugs ect. When you have been teaching for 5+ years, the amount of apple themed gifts, mugs and so on is overwhelming. Yes, it't the thought that counts. But if you truly want to give something that the teacher can use and enjoy, then you should lay off the mugs and teacher items. Gift certificates to the local grocery store, video rental, restaurant etc are wonderful. One year my parents did a handprint tote and I use it as a carryall for the beach, school and so on.
For Teacher Appreciation Week a few months ago, I bought a big popcorn bowl, a box of microwave popcorn, two boxes of movie theater style candy, a can of mixed nuts, and two inexpensive movies. I spend quite a bit of time in the classroom volunteering, so I knew what the teacher would like. If you're not sure, ask other teachers in the same grade, they can give you a good idea of what kind of movie your teacher would like. I put all the items inside the popcorn bowl and wrapped it in a clear cellophane bag with a ribbon. My daughter's teacher loved it--and so did her husband! It was like giving them a 'date night' where they could spend some time together at home. Oh, and I bought everything at the dollar store. I didn't spend over $20. You can spend more or less depending on what you want to put in the gift. Most everything was only a dollar or two. Even the movies were only $5 each, and you can just get one if you're on a smaller budget. I also agree with others that say a nice hand-written note from the heart showing your appreciation is the best gift you can give.
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