Crafty Teachers gifts for Christmas

[ajcmeyer]

So I am not sure if this thread has already been started but would just like to get some ideas. What are you guys doing for Christmas gifts this year for teachers?

[cramgal]

I am doing a stamped tile coaster with a mug and cocoas. I'm using TAC's old truck for the guys and various other things for the ladies.

[theah]

Just a friendly thought from a former teacher - PLEASE no more mugs!!!

[hobbywoman]

What about a tin of the chocolates - examples at www.papertreyink.com.

[Topaz_n29]

I'm doing a tile coaster and the Papertret tin with the wrapped chocolates for my Grandaughters teacher..she is in Grade 1 this year..
loves ya

[scrappy knitter]

I'm a teacher, and I know that gifts are a well-intentioned idea. But most teachers would prefer a handmade card from the child, with genuine words of thanks inside.

[ajcmeyer]

This was my thinking let me know what you teachers think. I found this book called It is Not Easy Being Green here is the link to check it out

http://www.amazon.com/ITS-NOT-EASY-B...1774971&sr=8-1

I was then going to make some Chocolate lollipops from a muppets mold I have. I was going to have my dd help me make a matching card and covers for the lollipops.

Would you teachers appreciate this one?

[kmccullo]

What about a nice simple set of thank you notes and stamps for the teacher to use with all the other gifts.

[PeggyL96]

I'm making Hot chocolate cones for all the teachers. I got the idea from Family Fun magazine. I'd post the link but I the board won't let me yet. ) And using the hot steaming mug and marshmallows stamps from Winter Wilma. I made these last year and they were a big hit.

[Tisha Copeland]

I've made up packs of cards, envelopes and matching pens. Tie it up with a pretty ribbon and viola! you're done. They really seemed to like the monogramed cards.

If you can come across the old SU! popcorn bucket stamp set from a few years ago, I've also used that. Stamped popcorn out of the top, made a slit in the popcorn and inserted a BlockBuster Gift Certificate.

I've also given coasters and 6x6 scrapbooks (photo mat is blank) decorated and ready to insert photos. I only do about 5 refill pages which allows them approx. 8-10 photos. Not to overwhelming for the non-scrapper. With a package of 6x6 refill pages, you can make 4 books.

[Scrapjanny]

I'm making sets of 3 x 3 gift cards in hand-made boxes. For some, I'm making sets of notecards or beaded snowflakes.

[Debbie-MO]

At the end of this month I'm in a boutique and for teacher's gifts I'm making altered clipboards and files. We'll see how well they go over.

[Choc0holic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajcmeyer

This was my thinking let me know what you teachers think. I found this book called It is Not Easy Being Green here is the link to check it out

http://www.amazon.com/ITS-NOT-EASY-B...1774971&sr=8-1

I was then going to make some Chocolate lollipops from a muppets mold I have. I was going to have my dd help me make a matching card and covers for the lollipops.

Would you teachers appreciate this one?

Um, yes! Yes! Yes! I taught in a lower-income area and received many hand-made gifts from my students. And yeah...the whole mug thing. I never kept mine. Now, if someone had given me a nice insulated cup/mug type thing...I probably would have kept that.

I love the idea of a set of notecards (monograms would be cool for this) as well as a gift card with a nice handmade card. My daughter just started preschool, so this is my first year having to think about this...I'll definitely be following this thread.

[LateBlossom]

I think "consumable" gifts like note cards, gift cards, edibles, etc. would be the most practical and appreciated. I know lots of teachers who cabinets are overflowing with mugs, whose trees are weighted down with ornaments.

I have 19 teachers, therapists, and bus drivers/aides to show appreciation for this year (DS has atypical autism, and believe me, it takes a village, LOL!). I'm making a special card for each (which DS will sign himself--big accomplishment here!), and I'm attaching either a candy cane with a ribbon and jingle bell on it for decoration or a candy bar wrapped to match the card.

[nuhddad]

I did a set of cards. Some birthday but mostly thank yous and the teachers just loved them. I put them in a little card carrier that I made (purse thing) and it was perfect. All the teachers said great things about them.

[PatG]

How about gifts for a male teacher? Does anybody have any idea? TIA. Pat

[pryor208]

How about a healthy snack "box" of things that he can keep in his desk to munch on either during a working lunch or after school?

[cmfronius716]

How about notecards that say "a note from your teacher" that they can use to send notes home to parents. I made a few for a craft show and I'll see how they sell.

[redhookmommy]

Our town has an independent movie theater which is affliliated with 2 others in nearby towns. I often give a pair of tickets as thank you's to coaches, teachers, babysitters, bus drivers, etc. There are always fun ways to package them up in cards or folders or whatever, or I have the kids do a drawing on a 4 by 5.25 piece of cs and I mount it with matching layers.

I think people enjoy them and they help support a local business too.

[misse336]

Some of the teachers where I used to teach would ask that if parents were planning to give a gift to the teacher for Christmas or teacher appreciation month/week to make it a book or other classroom consumable item (ie- craft supplies). The teachers then wrote something along the lines of "donated by ____, year" inside the book. I thought that was a nice and inexpensive idea, plus the children got to use it.

As a teacher some of my favorite gifts were- things made by the students, plants, flowers, notecards/thank you notes and gift cards (movie rental, book store, teacher store, shopping mall, craft stores like Michael's).

Someone asked about male teacher gifts and some of the things my husband has gotten are; movie bucket (microwave popcorn, hot chocolate mix, movie gift card), car cleaning gift bag (car wax, rags, etc.), things related to the sports teams that he likes, food and gift cards.

HTH. My kids are too young to need teachers gifts, but I'll be checking the boards in a few years when they're in school to see some of the great ideas everyone has.

[LateBlossom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatG

How about gifts for a male teacher? Does anybody have any idea? TIA. Pat

I'd think anything food related, movie tickets, gift card to a sports store or book store, or related to a hobby they have. A set of masculine themed/colored thank you cards might be nice, too, but I'm always challenged coming up with guy cards, LOL, and would opt for movie tickets!

[palmyisastamper]

I have a Kindergartener and thought the "My ABC's" stamp around wheel with a couple different ink cartridges and handle would be great. I also throw in some thank you note cards.

[derck]

A friend of mine made an adorable set of 3x3 notecards for her son's teacher using the "Define Your Life" alpha set and the cute teddy bear stamp in the family set. They were very simple and soooo appreciated by the teacher. My go-to gift for the "male" teachers is a STARBUCKS giftcard with a stash of homemade cookies.


Believe it or not, teachers LOVE to have stamping supplies for their classrooms, especially if they connect with a theme or unit. Animals, seasons, cultural sets, etc. are all popular.

I know lots of teachers that scrapbook or do paper crafts. They LOVE getting supplies - stamps, inks, paper, embellishments. I've also had parents purchase a STAMPIN' UP gift certificate from me to give to teachers. Then they can pick our some goodies for their own craft projects.

[1sttimemommey]

Last year, we just gave gift cards to the teachers (my dd's 1st year in preschool), nice amount, but lack of personal touch
I think I will make sets of cards (thank you note & others) to go with the gift cards this year.

[peggysue]

In previous years what I've started doing for the bus drivers, teachers, etc., is buy a Blockbuster gift card and bundle it with a microwave popcorn bag and two of those large boxes of movie-theater sized candy. I never got any feedback so I have no idea if they like it or not, but I figured everyone likes to relax once in a while with a movie. Any teachers, feel free to say if you think this is still a good idea!

[misse336]

Quote:

Originally Posted by peggysue

In previous years what I've started doing for the bus drivers, teachers, etc., is buy a Blockbuster gift card and bundle it with a microwave popcorn bag and two of those large boxes of movie-theater sized candy. I never got any feedback so I have no idea if they like it or not, but I figured everyone likes to relax once in a while with a movie. Any teachers, feel free to say if you think this is still a good idea!

I'm a former teacher (stay home with my boys now) and I think that it's a great idea. Who doesn't love to relax and watch a movie now and then!

[Jessica'sMom]

I do Barnes and Noble giftcard...then they can get some books for the classroom or just spend it on their own for books, cds, whatever...

And to add to the "no mugs, please" list, don't give any bath/shower gels sets. I got soooo many of those while teaching.

[Judyw]

I think every teacher likes gift cards, especially the men at my kids' school. They are not too much fun, but teachers usually have limited incomes. I gave gift cards and post it note holders with pens last year, people LOVED them. This year I am making card sets and will give a gift card as well.

[elainastaggs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by misse336

Some of the teachers where I used to teach would ask that if parents were planning to give a gift to the teacher for Christmas or teacher appreciation month/week to make it a book or other classroom consumable item (ie- craft supplies). The teachers then wrote something along the lines of "donated by ____, year" inside the book. I thought that was a nice and inexpensive idea, plus the children got to use it.

As a teacher some of my favorite gifts were- things made by the students, plants, flowers, notecards/thank you notes and gift cards (movie rental, book store, teacher store, shopping mall, craft stores like Michael's).

Someone asked about male teacher gifts and some of the things my husband has gotten are; movie bucket (microwave popcorn, hot chocolate mix, movie gift card), car cleaning gift bag (car wax, rags, etc.), things related to the sports teams that he likes, food and gift cards.

HTH. My kids are too young to need teachers gifts, but I'll be checking the boards in a few years when they're in school to see some of the great ideas everyone has.

I am currently teaching in a lower income school. Most of my students don't get me anything and that is fine with me. I know in some schools this it is "expected" that everyone will give the teacher a gift. I have collected a few mugs over the years that I never use. I love this idea of donating something for the classroom. Things made by the kids are great too and so is a simple "Merry Christmas". Candy and other food items are good because I can take it home and my DH and DS can eat them.

[okimom2girlz]

Just thought I'd share this one with you all. Two weeks ago was teacher appreciation day and I made a tin filled with assorted chocolates (my daughters teacher loves chocolate!!!), a handmade card and as a special touch I printed out a star teacher poem, glued it on some heavy CS and had my daughter (6 yrs.old) put some stamp images around it. We affixed a ribbon so he could hand it up. She wrote on there For: teachers name and From: her name and he loved it and said he would put it in a box that he puts special gifts from his students in so he can remember when he is old and gray. Thought that was pretty nice. That was the only gift he got for teacher appreciation day and it made him feel special he said.
Some more ideas are those fat mini composition books covered in fun paper (no apples ) and a matching pen; or a regular composition book covered with matching pen. But my favorite and I know they all need those, are the THANK YOU notes since when the teachers get a little something from the students they do like to send home a note to show their appreciation.

Hope this helps

[jwickersham]

I'm going to make up decorated frappuccino bottles with hot chocolate mix in them. Simple and easy. You could even tie on a candy cane or two.

[peggysue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwickersham

I'm going to make up decorated frappuccino bottles with hot chocolate mix in them. Simple and easy. You could even tie on a candy cane or two.

Well now that's a cool idea, I think. Post a pic in your gallery when you've made one up.

[geogymnast82]

My kids gave gift cards to local grocery stores a few years ago. The few teachers that I was able to talk to afterwards were thrilled to get them.

[jakeandryansmom]

At the end of last year for my son's Kindergarten teacher, I made paint can using a paper with an apple paper design and filled it with a post it note holder, notecards and a matching pen. She loved it. I put a "sign" on the front of the can, written on handwriting paper (the kind kids use to practice their printing) World's Greatest Teacher.

[Bebo]

I have several thoughts on teacher's gifts. I always sent a note to my parents letting them know gifts were not expected but if the child wanted to make something for me, I'd cherish that. And, after 30 years, I still have many of the notes, cards, pictures, etc. (I'm thinking one of them may be famous one day and I could sell it for big bucks on E-bay.) In some schools, it was the "thing to do" and we got gifts anyway. It is very hard on children whose parents don't do anything (can't afford to)- they feel the teacher will notice that they didn't give them anything. And I always worried that parents were spending money on me at a time when they should be focusing on their own children. Also, most school districts have policies about the value of gifts and how they can be considered "kick-backs" if they go over a certain limit unless it's a gift to the whole school. So, the sweather Miss Smith got that was worth $75.00 has to be worn at some point by everyone on the staff to keep her out of jail.

That said, homemade gifts that the kids can help with are wonderful. I remember looking high and low for Christmas-themed thank you cards and they don't exist. Gift cards for book stores, music stores, art and office supply stores, the local fast food stores (teachers don't have time for long lunches), hand warmers filled with beans that can be heated in the microwave (for outside recess), Post-it note holders (they use tons of those), mug warmers (for all the candles they can't burn because of fire codes) and offers of help to put up bulletin boards, make favors for parties, go on field trips, make costumes, anonymously sponsor a child who can't afford supplies, fees, etc., head lice shampoo by the case, etc. are all things they appreciate. Sorry I wrote a book - but hey, I'm a teacher!!! Please don't grade this - I retired.

[Rubbernecker]

A little off-topic here, but do those of you who give teacher's gifts usually receive thank-you notes from the teacher for them? I'm noticing a trend with my kids' teachers of NOT receiving thank-you's.

Last year (I think they were end-of-year gifts), I gave SU's personalized stamps ("From the Desk of Mrs. Jones") with an ink pad and a little hand-stamped box of white cards (pre-stamped with the personalized stamp) in a little stamped purse. These were for the primary teachers and the school adminstrator who had helped me during the year. The teachers aides got gift cards.

The only thank-you note I received was from one of the aides, who wrote a really nice note thanking me for remembering the aides. Or (worse in my opinion) one of the teachers sent a thank-you "form" letter printed off quickly so the teacher could return it in the kid's backpack that same day before they even had a chance to open the gift. ("Dear insert-child's-name, Thank you for your nice gift. I enjoyed having you in my class this year. Have a great summer. Warmly, Mrs. Jones.") Ugh.

I realize teachers are busy people, but so am I. I've also given boxes of cards and heard nothing. This is in addition to making a pretty decent contribution to the school's teacher Christmas fund (parochial school.)

Making me re-think the whole thing this year. Sorry to vent.

Julie

[debrad]

I'm glad someone else has had the same experience I have.
I've always made a point of looking for exactly the right gift for each teacher, including the aides. I think the aides are just as important as the teachers, and I gift them the same as the teachers, whether I create it or buy it.

I have also received many of those 'form letters' where it is obvious that the teacher knew it was 'gift day' and had the form letters all copied and ready to put in backpacks. All they had to do was fill in the kids' name and sign it. How tacky can you get?

At the end of last school term, last summer, I received only one thank you note from any of the teachers or aides. Makes me think either they didn't like the gift, or just couldn't be bothered sending a thank you note. Kind of makes me rethink the gift thing, but at our school, gifts seem to be 'the thing to do.' This is irritating especially since I selected the gifts myself, made sure they were presented nicely, and handmade specific cards for each teacher and wrote a personalized note to each, thanking them for their patience and dedication, and for teaching my child. As I said, this really makes me rethink the gift thing and the effort involved. We did have one teacher that was uncooperative and aggressive and my child chose not to give anything to that teacher. However, I don't know of any other profession that gets so many gifts from parents or kids! I think the gift giving is really wearing itself thin.

On the positive side, my son had a special resources teacher that was the nicest lady you could ever meet. She sent a card over the summer addressed to my son, with a special thank you hand written inside the card. Now that really made his day!

[Ellen_50]

Yes, (as a teacher) I think teachers should send thank you notes for Christmas or "Teacher Appreciation" gifts. Is it necessary to send a thank you note for an end of the year "thank you?"
I think not.

[Ellen_50]

As a teacher of special needs preschoolers in an economically challenged area, I rarely get gifts. What I cherish is a sincere note of thanks.

[Rubbernecker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellen_50

Yes, (as a teacher) I think teachers should send thank you notes for Christmas or "Teacher Appreciation" gifts. Is it necessary to send a thank you note for an end of the year "thank you?"
I think not.

I don't understand. Isn't a gift a gift, regardless of the time of year it is received (and therefore deserves a thank-you)? I spent just as much on the end-of-year gift (if not more) as I did on the Christmas ones, not that that should dictate anything, but they were nice gifts.