Gift ideas for teachers?

Food is tricky. It really depends on the situation and the teacher. I know some teachers who have a policy of oohing and ahing over the homemade goodies, and then binning them the second they get to the staffroom. You just never know who washed their hands and what little extras could have made it into the treats.

I like gift cards, both as a teacher and a parent. But not to the local craft supply, Scholar's Choice, or book store. To me, that's like saying, "here. I got my kid a present. You can pick it out." Because you know that money will be put towards classroom supplies. And if you want to contribute supplies to your kid's classroom, or help out the teacher because you know she's using her own money to supplement whatever small allowance the school gives her, great. But don't do it in the guise of giving her a gift to show how much you appreciate her.

I generally go with gift certificates to the local movie theatre. It's not so personal as to go over the line or be totally the wrong thing, but it's clearly meant for the *person* behind the desk, not the teacher.

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last year, i bought a flock of chicks from heifer international for each of my daughters' teachers-they really enjoyed the giving back part of the gift, and i didn't have to stick them with something i wasn't sure they needed/liked/wanted.

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I used to be a teacher- please no handmade ornaments (I had a million already from my own kids) or "teacher/apple- themed" tschatchkas....The coffee and muffin thing sounds great, as were the bookstore gift cards that I used to get from time to time. But really, no gift is also ok- it can feel so one-sided.

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I can't wait to read the responses. My son is in K this year and I LOVE his teacher. I want to do something nice for her. Soooo, bring on the great ideas y'all.

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Mir at Wantnot.net did a great piece about non-sucky teacher gifts. All affordable and all would be appreciated.
http://wantnot.net/2006/11/21/teacher-teacher-you-have-enough-mugs/#more-541

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My sister the teacher says she hates gifts of food because it just adds to the holiday calorie overload. She much prefers gifts of school or classroom supplies or gift certificates to Office Depot so she can go buy what she really needs.

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I am a teacher. Gift cards in a child made card are honestly my favorite presents. I keep the card and they are easy to store. Gift cards to Starbucks or a book store are wonderful. I usually spend the book store one on books for the class.

I second the handmade ornaments become too much. My husband and I both teach and do not need or want another mug for the life of us.

The card would be enough of a Christmas present for me.

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My daughter's KG teacher is a first year teacher. We're giving her a "Tooty Ta" shirt from this link:

http://www.sewwhat4ucorp.com/products.asp?cat=10

When my son was in KG, he had a first year teacher too who had ALSO just gotten married. We gave him some really nice glass ornaments (figuring as newlyweds they didn't have a lot of decorations and stuff yet) and also a scrapbook of pictures so far from his first year as a teacher.

This year, I'm not sure what I'll do for his teacher. I think this will be her last year teaching. I may do a gift certificate somewhere.....either a bookstore or maybe a pet store. (They have a lot of class pets and I'm sure it gets expensive for her to feed them and buy litter, etc.)

We always give homemade Christmas candy and cookies too!

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As a teacher I have to say that no gift is okay! If you do feel the need to give, things for the classroom are always good. Things that can be cheap are books, flash cards, or even pencils. I don't know about the school your child goes to, but I usually find myself replenishing supplies when there are not enough. Another idea might be if your child's classroom has a treasure box, you could buy small gifts for it. I don't have anything in mine that cost over a $1.00 and my kids love it!

I feel anything that will help your child in the classroom would be a great gift for the teacher.

I hope this helps!

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I teach a class once a week, and the only thing I really want is 1) baked junk food, or 2) money.

Everything else kind of disappears...or sits in a drawer.

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My favorite teacher presents were gift cards to a bookstore or a store that was my favorite. I also liked those American Express/cash cards that you can spend anywhere. I also loved the handwritten notes from the parents and the children thanking me for all that I did- I still have those letters because they meant that much. Mugs,stationary, apple themed items and ornaments just become lots and lots of clutter. Also, most of the teachers I know don't eat the homemade goodies because we don't know how clean the kitchens are or if the kids helped make them. I didn't mind pre-packaged stuff (like chocolates or coffee) but if I didn't really know the parent I didn't eat their food.

Hope this helps.

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As a teacher, I have to say the best gift I ever received was a gift certificate to a department store. That was extremely appreciated.

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Although the muffins and coffee sounds great, remember that others may have diet restrictions and or allergies. my son's teacher last year was awesome. we bought a glass vase from thrift store took some elmer white glue and mixed it with red paint. then mixed it with green paint. he painted the vase. after it dried completely we coated it with triple thick gloss glaze. it was homemade, under $5, and it could be used yr after year

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I used to be a teacher and am now a parent of two school-aged children. We generally do a voluntary classroom collection with a suggested dollar amount per teacher and then purchase Amex gift checks/cards. That way teachers can feel like they can purchase anything they like. If everyone gives $10 that's a lovely amount for the teacher. We accompany it with flowers at times. Books or certificates to bookstores are always nice but sometimes a teacher likes to feel like a person who lives outside the classroom. Also, no more mugs or ornaments!!! A certificate to Starbucks in a cute little felt bag is nice, too.

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I am a teacher and I have to say that if you want to give a gift, give a gift that you might enjoy. Chances are a gift card to the mall is going to be loved by anyone.

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As a teacher, the gift of your time is most appreciated. Teachers often welcome another pair of hands to help out. Consider good children's books for the classroom library. They get a lot of use and are in constant need of replenishment. This gets you past the knick knacks that clutter our desks and the food concerns.

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I am a high school teacher. The best gifts are pencils, pens, paper, colored pencils, folders, tissues! (for the class in the students honor) - the teachers spend a lot of their money on those things.
Isn't it about sharing?

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We had an unfortunate experience at an area school (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,197231,00.html) so I personally would say no to the handmade items. I have found teachers are appreciative of any gift but I try to find out where the like to shop or their favorite "special" dining spot and get them a gift certificate to there. It a nice way to say thanks!

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All of the previous posters ideas are great. As a teacher, I have to admit that I used to have a garage sale every two years just to clean out the stuff or I donate all the mugs and knick knacks to charity. I feel horrible about it but it seems useless to have it stored in the basement.
Some of the items I cherish though, the apple keychain from a particularly difficult student who improved, the Christmas cookie jar that I wouldn't have bought for myself. Other small ornaments that are very nice and not from the dollar store.
Just recently I decided to tackle my basement and it is very hard to even get rid of the homemade stuff but sometimes they are so tacky that you don't want anyone to see them. When I was pregnant with my first child, two of my students each hand sewed pillows for my baby. Both were made from their old blankets, towels and one, a bashful parent admitted, was stuffed with her dads old track pants. Did I keep them? So far, 3 years later they are in a box. But I am going to take pictures of each of them and put them with my daughter's treasures. Then toss the flea bag things.
Another wonderful idea, though time consuming and difficult to organize, is a gift from all the kids in the class ie, a quilt or t-shirt with their hand prints or signatures.
I also personally love the gift cards to malls, bookstores or my favourite store or dinner out. Donations in the teachers name to charity is amazing too!

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I am a teacher and there are many favorites I have received through the years. The thank you cards from kids & parents touch me the most and when I get those, I really feel appreciated. Number one is gift cards/certificates to local eateries which have a variety of menu choices and to the local movie theatre. I also really loved gift certificates to book stores.

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