OT:Gifts for Teachers and casual friends

The other thread about gift ideas sparked this for me.What kind of gifts do
you get the kids teachers or for people that you want to just get a little
something for around $10?What do you do for your kids classes?
My 7yr old wants to do something for her class, her teacher and a best
friends mom.
Piper

"Piper" <jamiekatee...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:BMajf.34427$s92.29...@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
If you really want to get the teacher something useful, a gift
certificate to a book store and a card handmade by your 7 year old would
be extremely thoughtful. My friend taught kindergarten for several
years and after Christmas she would give me lots of things for the
thrift store where I volunteer. It's in a different county so she was
certain the children would never know what happened to their gifts. I
think just about every class makes candy cane reindeer with pipe
cleaners and those little eyes you can glue on to the cane. Instead of a
food gift your 7 year old can decorate bookmarks for each of her
classmates. They are all learning how to read so a bookmark with their
name on the back and pretty decorations on the front would be welcome by
boys and girls. One of the sweetest gifts I received was from my
daughter's Daisy troop. I was their leader. One of the moms bought a
white apron for me at Michaels and the girls did handprints and wrote
their names with colored markers.
For casual friends I have given ornaments, guest soaps, homemade cookies
or other desserts. It depends on the friend. Sometimes there is a new
Christmas cd I think a friend would like. When I bought my new gloves
at Wal–Mart this week I immediately thought I should buy a pair for my
walking partner who has misplaced three sets of gloves in the past
month.
Audrey

On Wed, 30 Nov 2005 00:31:23 –0500, "Piper" wrote:
Make them candy.
As my teacher (English wasn't his strongest subject, they had another
one teach that subject) said in a note to my Mom: "Every peace was
delicious."
Obviously, it didn't do war on his stomach. <grin/duck>
––
Visit Charlie's Sneaker Pages!
http://sneakers.pair.com/

Piper wrote:
One idea that's nice for a teacher and doesn't have to be expensive is
to give them a "night at the movies" – with a gift card for Blockbuster
(or your local video store). Pack the card with a box of decadent
"movie lover's" microwave popcorn and a box of movie size candy.
I work at a school. Yes, I know it's the thought that counts, but I
have to re–emphasize that even if your thoughts are good, most teachers
have an awful lot of:
– apple themed jewelry
– coffee mugs
– "world's best teacher" pins, etc.
Sometimes teachers need things like stopwatches for timing reading, or
aprons (as Audrey mentioned), or a stool (to perch while teaching from
the overhead projector).
My daughter's third grade teacher ALWAYS had a Starbucks cup in her
hand every morning –– so we decided to give her a Starbucks gift card.
Unoriginal, maybe, but we knew she would use it!
Giving a gift to every student in your child's class is a very generous
undertaking, but it's not something that everyone can reciprocate, and
if you can imagine being on the receiving end, I think it could lead to
guilty feelings for the parents who didn't think through a gift for 20
(or 30) kids. Unless it's a school tradition, it seems excessive to
me. (As does the tradition of giving every Valentine with a candy
bar...but that's just one of my pet peeves.)
CathyM

"Piper" <jamiekatee...@yahoo.com> wrote in
news:BMajf.34427$s92.29...@bignews6.bellsouth.net:
My lovely and talented wife has graced the classroom with her presence
for most of the past decade, and thye first recomendation I'd make is NOT
to give her anything with apples, schoolhouses, or other "teacher" gifts.
She got 50 of those the first year.
What she does enjoy are home made or gourmet edibles, nice candles or
lotions, or other similar items. Hand made cards from students are also
nice – they usually live on teh fridge for a few weeks.
––
use...@yahoo.com
http://www.gopchoice.org/

ahmward wrote:
SNIP
Yes. When I started thinking about it, I realized that each teacher
has 20 to 30 kids per year. Over even 5 years, that's 100 *little
somethings* –– even 100 really really nice little somethings is just
too much ... unless the teacher has a secret desire to open a gently
used knick–knack shop! So we do gift cards to Borders.
If you prefer not to do gift cards, I recommend something consumable,
such as soaps, lotions or tea. One had an SLT who gave fancy pencils
to kids for good work, so we also bought her 100 pencils from Oriental
Trading (in addition to a gift card).
For her best friend's mom, how about buying a plain picture frame and
having your daughter decorate it, then putting in a photo of the two
kids together.
Barbara

"Barbara" <mom_2_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1133362148.529359.11...@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
SNIP
I fourth or fifth or whatever it is the sentiment that a gift card or
something edible is a great idea. My mom is a teacher and has every teacher
"little something" under the sun from mugs to ornaments to notepads, etc.
etc. When she gets something edible – doesn't matter if it is gourmet or
homemade, we all get to share it when we are back home for the holidays and
she enjoys showing us handmade cards from her students and telling us whose
gift we are indulging in with her! She also loves gift cards to stores she
might use to buy stuff for her classroom – Borders, Barnes & Noble, Staples.
Whoever suggested the "Night at the Movies" – that was a great idea, and one
my mom has actually given to many different people over the years when she
needed a "little something."
stars

Oh, I agree with those wanting to give a gift card to a bookstore or
some sort of edible delight or movie tickets. Great ideas from
everyone!! I can imagine getting teacher/apple themed gifts would
begin to take over one's house.
Here's a suggestion and don't know if this would fit into your price
range, but how about a gift card to have a pedicure? It would be a
nice gesture that wouldn't take up space and a bit of pampering might
be welcomed.
Just a thought.

My son has special needs and is in a class with a teacher, several
aides and therapists, all women. These women are very health
conscious, so I wouldn't want a decadent treat for them. I'd like to
put something together in a basket for all to share, similar to the
baskets of muffins, brownies and cookies that Perkins Restaurant sells.
Any ideas for something similar, but more healthy?
My other idea was to have my son help his Dad make a wooden caddy type
box and fill it with anti–bacterial gels and creams, and maybe some
teacher stuff like post–it notes and pencils.
Any input? This group of teachers is fantastic, so I do want to send
in something they'll really enjoy. Beverly

Bfrey97...@aol.com wrote:
Oh, I think the caddy type box filled with the anti–bacterial gels,
creams, and perhaps some very good hand lotions and the other things
you mentioned would be great!!!

<Bfrey97...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1133372075.120694.196...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
I think the caddy full of things is a great idea since it combines useful
non–googaw things with something your son actually helped to make. Plus,
with an assortment of lotions, for example, the teachers could divide them
up according to their own likes and dislikes.
Smokey

Great ideas! Thanks
Piper

I like the GC for pedicure idea – alternatively, your daughter could
get her teacher a set of pedicure implements or polishes. Ms. Pedicure
has kits and polish available at Target and Nordstrom Rack, most of
these sets are $10 or less.
Vicki in DC, not a teacher but good friend of a teacher who ALWAYS has
tired feet from being on them all day long during the week

Thanks everyone, You all have given me some WONDERFUL ideas.
Piper

"Vicki in DC" <Nickycharles2...@yahoo.com> wrote in
news:1133373078.862300.133...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
TLAT Mrs Userb3 is certainly a fan of anything that makes her feet feel
better. When I turned her onto Danskos (thanks, alt.fashion) her second
year of teaching, you would have thought I'd just turned her on to sliced
bread for the first time. Pedicures, foot creams, etc would be great gifts
for anyone who spends the day on their feet.
––
use...@yahoo.com
http://www.gopchoice.org/

I can picture the teachers fighting over who gets to take home the
caddy!
Anyhow, what a great idea, whatver you put into it will be treasured I
am sure. How about including a tube a Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand
Salve? At nearly $20 for the tube it might blow the budget, but it is
the best, and unscented.
NM

Please, what is the web site for Pearl River? I keep getting hotels and
resorts. Thanks much!
k

It is:
http://www.pearlriver.com/v2/
It isn't the easiest navigation, but the prices are good, and the
shipping is quick. For the most part, you can get a lot of the items
at a local asian market or store, as well.
NM

Piper wrote:
In our district, there's a strictly enforced rule against kids giving
gifts to teachers. I can't remember the reasoning though.
With that said, each year they hold a book drive. Teachers can write up
a "wish list" of books they'd love for their classrooms. Then kids can
view the lists – sorta like a wedding registry concept – and buy a book
as a "class donation." It's cute because the teachers write down why
they long for a copy of such–and–such a book. Once bought, the book
gets crossed off the list. They put a sticker inside the cover, and the
kid can write a note to the teacher. Then the school delivers it to the
teacher.
Otherwise, for inexpensive gifts, we always hit Trader Joe's. This time
of year, they have tons of ideas to choose from.... everything from
exotic, fancy chocolates (for a pittance!) to traditional marzipan and
fruit cakes to soaps and lotions and – of course – inexpensive bottles
of wine.
jen

Cathy M wrote:
Great idea.
Speaking of gift cards, would a gift certificate to Staples be
appreciated by a teacher? I imagine it might be, considering that many
teachers these days are digging into their own pockets to pay for
supplies the school budgets aren't covering....
jen

Pearl River has a nice selection of items under $10 that are perfect
for this type of gift. There are hand–wrapped soap trios in bamboo
dishes, and other little gifties that aren't too personal, but really
kind of different that the run of mill hallmark crap–o–las.
For the gym teacher and swim teacher I give a basket of home–made
treats (caramel popcorn – super easy to make, and seems fancy, cookeis,
chex mix, candied nuts and maple–walnut syrup –also easy, sometimes jam
I made in summer or marmalade). This is also what I give as a hostess
gift for parties, dinners, etc.
My little guy goes to a campus child care, so gifts are discouraged, as
many parents are students and can't afford those extras. I usually
bake a batch of cookies or cupcakes for all the teachers in his room.
NM

<Bfrey97...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1133372075.120694.196...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
My all time favorite local store is www.bouquetoffruit.com They have
an outstanding assortment of dried fruit, nuts and other gift items and
the quality is superb. Today I just sent a gift to friends in Italy and
I have a package ready to send to family in Montana. Muffins, brownies
and cookies are high in carbs as is the dried fruit, but it is a
different alternative. Another idea would be a basket of teas, coffees
(Starbucks has mini bags), cider mix and cocoa or make a cocoa mix to
give to them.
Your second idea is excellent because your son would be contributing to
the gift.
Audrey

"shinypenny" <shinypenny0...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1133379986.345268.103...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Staples, Office Max or Office Depot have lots of things classroom
teachers can use. In our town there is a school supply store so
certificates there are appreciated as well.
Audrey

ahmward wrote:
SNIP
There's also an issue as to kids who cannot afford to give gifts, and a
possible perception of prejudice against those kids.
That said, I DO like class gifts, so long as its designated as being
from the class, no matter who contributes or does not contribute. The
Parents organization at One's school collects money for holiday (cash)
gifts to all teachers and staff (meaning that, eg, the lunchroom staff
are not forgotten, as would otherwise happen). We do separate gifts to
the SLT and OT (both not considered school employees, although they
work on premises), bus driver and guy who runs the sports night
program.
Barbara

"shinypenny" <shinypenny0...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1133379759.546529.196...@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
This may be why the district began its no personal gift policy: When my
first child entered kindergarten at the hoity toity public school, there
were two experienced and much loved teachers. The parents of each class
would try to outdo each other with gifts such as collecting $20 from
the parents of each child and then buying a fine piece of jewelry for
the teacher. Class size then was 32–33 so a lot of money was collected.
There was definitely competition as to which teacher would get the
"best" gift. I think the teachers encouraged it too or at least they
certainly didn't turn anything down.
Audrey

Well what we do is something VERY simple.We buy those small paper christmas
bags and put things like stickers, pencils and a few pieces of candy in them
and them give them out to the class, I spend at the most for 16 kids around
$25 bucks so its not alot of money.
Piper


"Barbara" <mom_2_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1133384811.349399.184...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

Piper wrote:
Perhaps not a lot of money for *you*. When my son was in elementary
school, that $25 'bucks' would have been the difference between my kid
getting healthy meals, or a week of store–brand mac'n'cheese. We won't
even talk about whether I'd be eating at all that week.
And his little heart of gold would have been *broken* when I told him we
could not give gifts like the other kids.
It is not always obvious which children in a classroom are poor. You
could have worked in his classroom every week and never known. These
'no personal gifts' rules are made to protect those children's
self–esteem...it might be all they have this Holiday Season.

"shinypenny" <shinypenny0...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1133379986.345268.103...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
My mom would certainly use it! She teaches 2nd grade. Even in her
district, which is considered one of the wealthier districts, teachers still
like to buy extra supplies for their classroom projects that are not always
covered by the district.
–stars

Piper wrote:
Here's a link I got in email today. Some of it echoes what we've
already gone over, but I thought I'd share anyway. Cathy
http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/parentguides/holiday/teacher_gifts.htm

Piper wrote:

In article <BMajf.34427$s92.29...@bignews6.bellsouth.net>, Piper says...
Back in the dark ages when #1 daughter and #2 daughter were in preschool, the
parents would contribute a few dollars for the pot. The total was divided
amongst the teachers/staff. There was no tracking of who gave what so it was
good for those who had plenty and those who did not.
When in elementary school, we'd do little boxes of Fran's chocolates at the end
of the year. Christmas giving was a pain as you really couldn't assume that
everyone celebrates. (#2 daughter's class had 3 Jehovah's Witnesses in it.) The
classes each chose 2 or 3 parties per year (fall, winter, valentine's, end of
school year) and participating kids would sign up to bring something to eat or a
movie to watch.
My sister the teacher has plenty of ornaments. She got a pedicure certificate
one year from a parent she was particularly close to, loves Starbucks and book
store GC, and above all, notes from students.
I've done cookie/treat trays (homemade) for the staff room. Now that the girls
are in middle/high school I daresay that the days of teacher gifts are past. :)
For friends, we keep a stock of movie gift certificates (discounted from
Costco!) and buy some movie candies. Wrap em up – works for kids through
adults.
Pam K
––
Pam K
my2p...@yahoo.com

After reading the Scholastic article, I'd also like to suggest how
great a heartfelt note can be. I come from a family of teachers and
school employees–– both parents, two grandparents, one aunt and one
uncle have all taught or worked in the public schools. (I teach, too.)
When my sister and I graduated from high school, my father each asked
us to name two teachers we felt had made a big impact on our
educational career and/or on our future. He wrote each a detailed
letter explaining what we had told him and how appreciative he was as a
parent (and a fellow teacher) of the work they were doing. Over a
decade later, when I substitute taught with one of those teachers, he
mentioned that he still had the letter and how much he appreciated my
father's kindness.
For anyone looking for a gift for teachers of older students: I can't
stress enough how much my older students (HS) appreciate good hand
soap, nice kleenex, and nice hand cream at this time of year. School
antibacterial soap is very, very drying to my hands, at least, and I
always have a "softer" alternative option available at the sinks in my
classrooms.
Alicia U.

When I was younger, my mom used to give all of my teachers a box of
Frango Mints. If you know about the teacher's hobbies, you can always
buy an ornament that goes along with that hobby (ie if she's an English
teacher, buy a glittery book ornament). I always like to give large
coffee mugs filled with hot cocoa, marshmallows, and candy as little
gifts for special people in my life. Hallmark has a lot of nice
teacher–y things, too.
hth!
––Laura