Holiday Gifts?

What does everyone do for Holiday gifts? Do you buy gifts for teachers, assistant teachers, dance instructors? I'm trying to decide if I need a gift for my daughter's brownie troop leaders? How about the aides in my son's classroom that are there to help with special needs students (not my son)? There are some gifts I really want to do, like doing something for the wonderful women that run the front office at our elementary school, but there are others that just feel more obligatory than enjoyable. Where do you draw the line? How much do you typically spend on teacher gifts? Any creative ideas for teacher gifts?

Tags: gift, giving, holidays

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Permalink Reply by Elissa Klaver on November 11, 2008 at 9:19pm: I own SALUS, a natural and organic bath and body care store where you customize your products with over 300 fragrances and essential oils. We also make Melt and Pour soaps, and my preschool age son loves to make his own! So, this year we are making glycerin bar soaps, packaging them nicely and giving them to his teachers and family for Christmas gifts.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michele Puccini on November 12, 2008 at 7:45am: I do something for my kids teachers but that is about all. I do put together some type of goodie bag with things they can use in the classroom and something that is personal.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marinka on November 12, 2008 at 8:20am: Teachers get a class gift, no individual gifts.

I am trying to do a minimalist Christmas this year, but I predict kid-rebellion.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Janet on November 12, 2008 at 10:55am: We do gifts for the teachers and TA's but I believe it's most important that the gift be something from the heart. Those people that have made your life easier or your child's experience better certainly deserve a little recognition. One year we took the teacher and the TA to Dim Sum on a weekend, and that was a big hit with the kids and the teachers.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sherrill Yoder on November 12, 2008 at 1:07pm: We always give a little something personal (hand cream, shaving cream, etc) in a cute gift to the elementary teacher, piano teacher, and gymnastics coach. It can go on and on, can't it? But anyone who takes good care of my little one, deserves the recognition and pampering. A gift certificate can go a long way!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rhea Brown on November 12, 2008 at 2:01pm: My aunt it a teacher and student counselor and I believe that there should be NO limit to the amount of gifts they get for the holidays. Anyone willing try and teach my crazy, curious, busy little monsters deserves not only a metal but a lifetime of godiva chocolates and spa mani/pedi treatments.

I digress... I'm sorry. But seriously, I love treating her with spa packages at some of the best spas in NYC (where she lives). Last year, my daughter's kindergarten teacher was so awesome that I gathered all of the PTA parents from her class to create a video thanking her and wishing her a happy holiday (it was so funny and cute).

Try to make it personal and you'll never go wrong.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Karen Eschebach on November 12, 2008 at 9:24pm: As a Michigander in a failing Big 3 economy I'm doing a Made in Michigan Christmas. So for teachers, assistants, etc. it will be something edible (Better Made Chips, Rabbit Lane Chocolates), or something homemade (soaps, bath salts, notecards), maybe a book by a Michigan author, or small gift baskets with the above items. I'm also going to write a poem or include words to a song about Michigan with the gift so that they realize the signifigance.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CASU on November 13, 2008 at 9:11am: I have the perfect gift and its quite affordable. Creative Name Plaques they reveal the root and meanig if your first name,
Everybody loves creative name plaques and there on sale for $5.00 each buy 5 and get 1 free, Plus free shipping now you cant beat tha. I just updated my website and will be adding more designs in the next few days. If you know anyone else looking for a nice affordable gift please pass the infomation Thanks.

http://www.createashirt.biz/creative-name-plaques.html; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Julie Roads on November 13, 2008 at 1:05pm: A book for the classroom would take care of the teacher and assistant...my favorite (besides Megan's book about Oscar the Pig!) is I'm Lucy: A Day in the Life of a Young Bonobo best part is that the book comes with a secret code that lets the whole class participate online with the Can-Do Meter - a very cool way for them to keep track of their green daily activities...think of it as the anti-Webkinz! Check out the website: www.bonobokids.org and the kids blog (currently running a great contest). Also, all profits go to Jane Goodall's youth organization, Roots and Shoots and the Bonobo Conservation Initiative.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tatyana Gann on November 13, 2008 at 10:59pm: I think if you find good movies or a good book it is a great gift
I try to give books because it creates memories.
My friend created a book with photos. Real story book with her kids photos and their events in life.
PRetty awesome.

You can order them through www.shutterfly.com

I love to give natural organtic body care and spa products for women and believe me some men love it
I get Peter Lamaz products and it is aweome stuff..
Tatyana; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kathi Evans on November 14, 2008 at 5:59am: Hi Lisa,
I taught k-6 for ten years and was an aide for two years before that. Teachers always appreciate small gifts (ie. gift cards for coffee or books). The best teacher gift I received was a hand written note and a book about U2 (my favorite band). It showed that the family recognized me as more than just a teacher, but a person who has other interests. If you know your child's teacher well, then try something small, yet personal. PLEASE, no lotions, bath soaps, or the like. For the office staff, bring in treats... a nice fruit/cheese platter. OR, a plant. It can be quite costly to buy for all. Try to keep things simple. Handwritten notes and a small token can go a long way to show appreciation. For other teachers: dance instructors, Brownie leaders, Sunday school teachers... again, go small. Gift cards to the local coffee shop or "fun" store are great gifts. Good luck. I hope this helps. Kathi; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sweet Organics on November 14, 2008 at 8:23am: I'm going to give something from my boutique probably one of my cute eco friendly pooh notebooks.; ▶ Reply to This

Holiday Gifts?

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