[cerca]

Our kindegarten classes got together and pooled our $$ for a nice gift. We each put in $20 per child and were able to give the 2 main teachers $150 each to Talbots and the aid $100 to a spa. We thought one big gift was kind of nice.

Jess

[NJRach]

We give gift certificates, I find Dunkin Doughnuts ones are well-liked. They come in $1's, so we give each teacher (also scout leaders) 10 and then they can use them for coffee, tea, doughnuts or whatever over the summer. I'd give the teachers MUCH more if I could afford it - they certainly deserve it.

Rachael

[SmileLaughLearn]

As a former teacher, I'd like to second the idea that teachers appreciate all kinds of gifts, including homemade ones from the heart-- like the letters. The Charlotte's Web idea is fabulous, as it lets the teacher know that your son really put thought into what she might like. Gift certificates to almost anywhere are great, too! Everybody has posted wonderful ideas.

It's really nice to know that people appreciate teachers!

[waitingforIsabel]

As a teacher, I can tell you how much gifts are appreciated at the end of the year! I particularly lvoe gift cards- I spend so much of my own money for supplies during the year and it is nice to have a treat to spend on myself to celebrate at the end of the year. I have received giftcards to Target, Starbucks and Borders- even a few dollars is a great gift- it is the idea!

[Happy123]

I usually do small gifts just because of the number of children I have. I also give to the bus drivers who drive my special guy to his day program. I usually stick w/ candles or candy.

Happy123

[jillbee]

This year our kids wrote little thank you notes. I put movie theater gift cards inside and attached it to a box of heart-shaped cookies. At Christmas we gave the teachers gift certificates for a local independant bookstore and said in the card that we'd like them to get something for themselves. Earlier in the year we help supply items for the classrooms from the teachers wishlists.

Jill

[Mariais5]

Our homeroom moms take donations and get the teachers a gift from the class as a whole.. That way if some of the students can't give, they're still included on the card...

[corhen]

As a teacher, a gift is very special to me. However, for me instead of getting the typical apple decor or something similar, I would rather have something the child made. Some of the things I cherish most even after changing district or schools are the following:
A christmas card from the student who gave me the hardest time during the school year...he signed it and said thank you. I still wonder how he is.
A painting from a student who is blind.
A drawing from a first grade class in consulted with often. ( I teach special education)
A picture of a cat in oil pastels from a very interesting student

So, hope that helps.
corhen

[seania]

Hey, I think this is a great idea, but since we homeschool...does that mean that I get to buy myself a gift at the end of the school year?
Ha, ha, Just kidding!!

[cr653]

cool thread!
hi debbie!
as a former 6th grade teacher,
christmas was a pretty big gift time and valentine's day.
at the end of the year, im remembering a number of very VERY thoughtful notes from either the mom/dad or the student.
these REALLY hit home.
i agree, a fun gift to recieve is always a gift card!
i also recieved a neat wax/seal set which i still love today(...YEARS later)
i have always loved the candles and plants families have sent!
OH, and one family was famous for the 'muddy buddies' and that was a GREAT gift...yummm!

have a great end of the year everyone.

cris...seeing herself reentering the teaching profession soon, and seeing the gifts as a nice little perk... something i forgot all about!

[DPline]

Originally Posted by seania

Hey, I think this is a great idea, but since we homeschool...does that mean that I get to buy myself a gift at the end of the school year?

I give so much credit to anyone who can homeschool. DS and I have a hard time working on spelling words without one of us melting down! You definetly should get a present!

[csw]

Hi
I always gave little gifts when he was in elementary school, and in middle school..now that he is in high school with so many different teachers..7 I think..I did give Christmas cards and cookies to all 7 but other than that nothing..but definately in the early years I would do it..

[Carlee1boy]

I give gifts at Christmas and at the end of the year. As a school counselor, I know how much these are appreciated (especially the gift cards)!

Carolyn

[Mandy4President]

Hey everyone, just wanted to add to this post that Bath and Body Works is having a huge sale, you can get those bags of stuff for like fifty cents. I even thought aboutgetting some stuff and putting it away for teachers for this coming xmas. Just a thought.

Seania, definitely you get to buy yourself something! Get a massage or something!

[bjmom]

This year, we are giving our sons' teachers gift cards to the Teacher-Parent supply store. We figure that it would be useful for their classrooms or w/their own children. We also donated to the class gift for our son's kindergarten teacher. I'm the room mom for our son's 4th grade teacher, and I opted not to collect money for a class gift and just let everyone do whatever they want to do their own. I figured I'd collected enough money over the last several months.