Appropriate Holiday Gift for Preschool Teachers

Hello B.,

Its looks like Jessica came up with a bunch of good ideas, I would like to add one more.....Most people Love their coffee, what about a Dunkin' Donuts gift card?

K. from Beverly Ma :)

B.,

From what I hear, teachers beg for a couple of things when it comes to gifts. No more candles, ornaments, or bath gels! They get a thousand of them. Many teachers I've talked to will trash homemade food gifts. Sad, but true.

I don't know how much you are looking to spend, but that's a long list of people to be buying for. Gift certificates are a really nice choice for the ones who are extra-special, and you can certainly give them different things. How about a pair of movie passes for each one of them, or a certificate for a manicure at a local nail salon? Not TOO expensive, and thoughful gifts. A box of candy is nice, or a jar you put together with some of those yummy Lindt truffles is awesome. You can even buy those at the grocery stores now.

My plan for my son's teacher is a winter survival kit. I'm going to put a box together with some packets of tylenol, Airborne, hand sanitizer, wipes, chapstick, and hand lotion. A little something she can keep in her desk to counteract all the little germies from the kids, and keep her hands from drying out after she washes them all day long.

Hi B.,
with budget cuts lately, most teachers are short on supplies for the classroom and end up going without or buying them out of their pocket. Check with the teacher to see if she could use art supplies, crayons, etc. or other practical things the whole class can enjoy.

my son's preschool teacher suggested that we all give things like Purell and Clorox cleaning cloths.. they really don't need more ornaments or things that say "teacher" on them. they'd appreciate practical things.. you could get them american express gift checks, but $10 is a good amount if you want to send money. bake something if you feel the need to give more.

The gift certificate idea is definately a good one (I used to be a teacher and I had more "teacher" knick-knacks than I could shake a stick at!!!) One of the best things my parents did for me when I was a teacher is they all went in together to get a really good-sized amount giftcard. I don't know if you are in contact with the other parents, but you could coordinate that, then that way those who don't have much to give towards it won't feel embarrassed for giving their teacher a cheapo gift while someone else gives a really expensive one. The gift is then from the whole class, and it will be something she can use. That's what I'm trying to do for my son's preschool teachers.

Good luck!

J.

After researching on the computer appropriate gifts for preschool teachers, I found a great website that has gifts for teachers and are very unique. (I am a teacher myself, and I have gotten some pretty bad gifts so I try to do gifts that I may like myself). The website is called: www.findgift.com. If you decide to go for the gift cards; any movie cards for about $25.00 is appropriate. Hope this helps.

I usually do small gift bundles for each teacher and the school secretary. I usually give them a small basket filled with hand sanitizer, hand cream, a small amount of hard candy, and one or two school supplies like boxes of tissues or something I know they need. The baskets I usually get at the doller store or the salvation army store. I usually spend no more than 40.00 for all of it.

I was a preschool teacher for years and I must say that the gifts I could actually use were greatly appreciated. That said, gift certificates can always be used and by far were one of myself and colleges favorites.

Most parents at my school usually give the 2 primary care givers of the child a personal gift, the other care givers would bennifit from something like sending in coffe and bagels, or something from edible arangements.

A calander is always useful at that time of the year. I must say at all cost stay away from those bath and body soaps. They are a bit personal to give and more often then not end up being re-gifted because they dont like the scent.

If your worried about what stores to get a certificate at an american express gift check/card is accepted almost anywhere and can be used for useful things such as GAS! usually parents gave between $10-$50 some of the places i received gift certificates to are
dunkin dounuts
marshalls
tj max
childrens place
grocery stores
restaurants

I would also check with the school before you go out and start buying gifts for anyone. Some schools no longer allow students to buy for teachers because it becomes a competition between parents to out do each other. Not that I'm saying you will do that, but it happens. See what the schools policy is before hand so that you don't seem like your trying to gain favor for your kid. Not that that is what you are doing by any means. I know that you want to give thanks to these people who have been so wonderful to your child, but if gifts aren't given all around and you are the only mother doing this it may look suspicious.

Hi B.!!

As a preschool teacher I can give first hand adivce on teacher gifts!!! I am also the mom of a 4 yr old so I have done teacher gifts before. I usually just give gifts to my sons main teachers.....they spend the most time with him even though ALL the teachers know him. The type of gifts I do are either gift cards to stores like Bath and Body Works or a bookstore or else I do the ready made gift baskets that store usually have out for the holidays.Or even a gift card to places like Dunkin Donunts if they go there alot or if you know that they order lunch out try to find out where and get something for them from that place.
I usually try to spend about $15.00 per teacher but this year my son only has one teacher so I will spend around 20 or so on her. I don't usually do things for ALL the teachers just his main one. Hope this helps!!!

K.

the best idea is to make something...that why no one really knows how much you spent on the other person...it can also be great bonding for you & your daughter...i still remember to this day making presents for my teachers with my mom...coffee cup filled with coffees & teas then you wrap it in the pretty wrap that comes out this time of year (blowdry it to make it tight)...you can also make an airfreshener with an orange & you stick whole cloves in it then put it in with a basket of potpourri...those were my 2 favs...but you can always google more ideas...have fun with it :D