Bus Driver Gifts

When I worked in a preschool, the bus drivers always had to run by a fast food place to grab something quick to eat in between routes - and that can get expensive. Maybe get them a gift card to a fast food joint.

It's the thought that counts. Get her (or him) a box of assorted chocolates with a thank you card. Not too expensive but MUCH appreciated.

I am looking for a part time home daycare for a 4 month old and a 2.5 year old. Where are you located?

I think a small gift is a wonderful idea. Bus drivers are overlooked alot of the time and deserve a pat on the back. May I suggest a personalized card made by your child a handprint card saying something about "my handprint when I was small but I will remember you when I am tall"...orsuch. Then maybe a simple inexpensive gift you help your child pick out (a keychain, a magnetic photo frame with a class picture or picture of your child in it. I know little things like that meant alot to so as a preschool Sunday School teacher. One little girl got a bear at the dollar store because she wanted me to have a bear just like she had at home. I still today have a card made on a paper placemat saying I will miss you Ms K.. Enclose a personal note of appreciatiom from you -the parent- for what a blessing they have been. Just an idea.

I think this is a wonderful idea. Bus drivers I think are under appreciated in many cases. In years past, I have given small fruit baskets. Fruit fits into most diet restricts (diabetic, cardiac, weight loss) and most people enjoy it.

a friend of mine has a very similar situation. (her daughter rides a public school bus to private school & the driver is very nice & goes out of his way to be helpful). she told me she found out something the driver really likes (in her case i think it was a type of candy or cookie) and every year my friend bakes or buys the treat & wraps it up nicely. i think gift cards for practical places (starbucks, gasoline, mcdonalds) put inside a thank you card would be nice as well. if you go that route you don't have to spend a lot in order to convey your appreciation.

Hello, When I was a child I always gave my bus drivers a gift. My M. would always make them homemade cookies. I had the same bus driver for years and will see him from time to time. He always says he remembers the cookies and they meant alot to him. My M. always loved doing it because she said he carried her most precious cargo! I know he will appreciate the thought.It is so wonderful when you receive a kind word or gift, the day is B.! Take care and God bless!

My daughter is a Junior in HS and I've always given a "THANK YOU FOR DRIVING SAFELY" gift to the bus driver. I usually send along a container of cookies or my favorite to make for them is a pumpkin roll. that's something else that a teacher might appreciate is baked goods or fruit basket.

I have always allowed my children to include the bus driver in their gift giving at Christmas, Easter, and the end of the year.
I think a gift certificate works well for them too.
My children have given them cookies, candy, hand made ornaments, etc.
P. R

My father-in-law was a public school bus driver for many years. Gifts are wonderful way to thank them for their efforts. Depending on the bus driver the gifts can range anywhere from a pop and candy bar to a wonderful card that your child helps make for them. The best gift is the one the child picks and is happy to hand to the driver. My father-in-law loved the smiles and hugs the best of all. Some other things he received was popcorn, box of candy, cards with a gift card, restruant gift card. The gift wasn't about the money but the thought behind it.

What about a nice gift card to a local restaurant...O'Charley's, Applebee's etc.?

A small gift is always nice for someone who does an important job for you. A little treat like coffee, chocolate, nuts, or small assortment of all three is nice if you don't know specifically what they like. Then stick a $20 bill in a card that says you appreciate the nice job they do. That is what I would do. It is really just taking the time to do something kind for the bus driver that will make them feel appreciated. How nice of you to think of them! I am sure not everyone will!

We've always given the bus drivers gift cards to restaurants for Christmas and at the end of the school year. My son is autistic and can be a handful so I appreciate everything the bus drivers do to put up with his quirks and safely drive him to and from school. We have a different bus driver every year and each one has been so good and taken the time to make sure my son is seated safely and they make sure he gets in the house safely before driving off.

Good morning I have in the past my sons bus driver has been a female I have my son give her a little gift bag with a Scented Candle and a Thank You card in it. When it was a male he just gave him a Nice thank you card.

I agree with everyone. We should definitely remember the bus drivers. I just wanted to add that last year my neighbor started organizing us so that we could get a bigger amount on our gift card. There are 5 families that share a stop, so we each just put in $5 and get a nice gift card somewhere.

My best friends mom was a bus driver. Yes, typically they do get gifts, usually small and sometimes she didn't even want anything but they do spend a lot of time caring for the safety of your child. One year she got a bus magnet. I have known this family for 31yrs and the magnet is still on her refrigerator. Another year she received a plant-still has it. Most of what she received, candy-cookies-cakes-sweet stuff had been given away to us as kids, not really her thing I guess. She also received a coffee mug she still drinks tea out of that said something about "you make me happy". The bus driver motif is hard to find this time of year-better around Christmas-but it doesn't have to be that either. She did get a lot of bumble-bee stuff because she was a driver for Perrysburg so the schools mascot is a kind idea. If your child and bus driver share a special bond-they actually do get attached to each other-Walmart's photo dept. has a really cool idea of putting your child's photo on a coffee mug, don't know how long it takes to get back, but......(sweet for mom's day too). Good luck!!!!-H.-

I live out in the country, but on a cul-de-sac, there are 17 houses on my street. My oldest is in 1st grade & some of us on the street have gotten together and gotten the bus driver gift cards ~ like a Visa gift card. We've also gotten her Bath & Body Works gift cards. I am a teacher & it's always good to get hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works as a little gift ~ lots of germs in the classroom, maybe the bus driver would enjoy that as I am sure there are lots of germs on a bus too!

H.

My mom is a bus driver for a preschool route and she absolutely enjoys her kids on the bus. She always gives them small gifts for the different holidays. And, she is so touched when they give her something. She does not expect anything so it is especially nice when they give her something. She tells me and my dad all about it.

K.,
Try a nice card and maybe some lotion or $10 gift card for mcdonald's. Something small but thoughful.
R.

YES!!! It is definitely appropriate and will be greatly appreciated. I say go with the gift card. Maybe Starbucks (I'm sure those early mornings can be rough!!)

I think the bus drivers are often forgot about. This is a site that I went to for my sons bus driver..

http://www.toplinegifts.com/busdrivergifts1.html

I chose the Inspirational Blown Glass School Bus Messenger. When I saw it I knew that's what I wanted because that is how I feel but there are other things to choose from, you can also type in your tool bar school bus driver gifts and you will get a bunch of sites, just have to compare the prices.

I don't have a bus rider yet, but my best friend is a driver and she really appreciates the thoughtgul gifts she has recieved at the end of the year. Last year I think she got $80 in Starbucks gift cards and that was awesome for her! I remember riding the bus, and I think the drivers definately deserve a "thank you" for the stuff they put up with!

restaurant gift cards are great, home made goodies are nice, maybe a school logo item, or Wal-mart gift card works too.

Yes, it is appropriate! With the cost of gas anyone would appreciate a gas gift card.

we are giving our driver a gift card to star bucks

I always give our bus drivers gifts. Gift certificates for a local ice cream place and a thank you card, candles and cards, etc...

Dear K.,
I used to work with a Special Needs Child that needed someone to ride the school bus with him in the morning and evening because of his behavior on the bus. He was in the 1st grade at the time.
Let me just say, the bus driver's have a tough job...remembering all their stops and watching to make sure the children are all safe while it seems like ALL the children are talking loud or sometimes screaming on the bus.
Yes, they do also make sure the kids get off the bus and to the correct teacher.
I do know some of the kids would get him a gift for Christmas and at the end of the year and it really made his face light up.
I would also get him a gift certificate someplace.
I knew he and his wife couldn't always afford to go out to dinner etc... so I found out where they liked to go and got them a gift card to their favorite restaurant.
One year, the mother of the child I rode the bus with got me a school bus ornament for Christmas...it is the cutest thing. I still hang it on my Christmas tree every year and it makes me think of him and the very nice bus driver.
So, I would definitley have to say yes, I think it's a great idea to get the bus driver something. You wouldn't just want anyone driving your child to school. I'm sure he/she does a great job and would like to know that. Even if it's just a special note with a chocolate bar etc...
I hope this helps! :)
T.

At Christmad time we gave a gift to our bus drivers. I just went to lifeway and picked up some of the prepackaged bags of candy and trail mix and we gave those to our bus drivers. It was great and they seemed to like them. Good luck!

I think that a gift is a great idea. Our bus driver adores the kids, goes out of her way for them, and does an awsome job.

I usually do something small like a gift card. I think anything girly works (nails, pedicure) or books are always good.

K.,
I think that it is very appropriate to get them a gift. I dont think that they get thanks very often for all of the work that they do.
If it is a female, a single flower and maybe a gift card for Starbucks or Tim Hortons I think is great. If it is a male, substitute that flower for a coffee mug or a travel mug. You can get them for about four dollars at walmart.
Just an idea!

Absolutely! If you're appreciative of the "extra" care they provide for your son, then it would be a nice gesture to give a little something. A gift card to Starbucks, or to a fastfood place would be appreciated. Or, if you want to do something more personalized, you could have your son make a card for her.

It's a wonderful gesture...I don't have any ideas though:( Let him pick something out, I'm sure it will be appreciated since I'm guessing most drivers don't get gifts from their riders.

We've usually given our bus driver something at Christmas and the end of the year. Usually a gift card to Tim Horton's or a mug with candy in it. Just a little 5 - 10 gift to say thanks.