Christmas Gifts for Teachers - Fremont,CA

My husband is a high school teacher and he rarely gets gifts from students or parents. The best ones he has gotten are mostly sentimental. One class gave him a CD of photos from that year. He saves every letter & note from his former students. Sometimes a parent will send homemade canned food, like jam or salsa, those are always appreciated.

I think most people don't realize how much teachers have to buy out of pocket for their classroom, so gift certificates are always nice. Staples, any bookstore, or even Walmart.

Gift Cards. They really are the best present, in my opinion.

I give Barnes and Noble (books, coffee, what could be better?) for Christmas and Cold Stone Creamery (ice cream and summer, mmmmm) in May.

I am a veteran teacher and can certainly help you out! Don't do coffee/tea/etc, or really any food or beverage. Stick to gift cards. We are appreciative of anything you give us, and it does not have to be monetary. Even a simple note of thanks is wonderful, since we often feel as if we work harder than ever before but don't always see that the work is noticed or appreciated. If you want to give something of monetary value, a gift card to a place you are SURE the teacher likes is great, but so is a generic Visa card, Amazon card, or Staples (office supply store here on the East coast, we just end up spending it on the classroom but we actually enjoy that... not sure if you have Staples in CA). If the teacher is a known coffee drinker, of course a card to a coffee shop is awesome. It feels like a treat that we don't have to spend our own money on.

Other no's include mugs, decorative knickknacks, and chocolate. It just gets to be too much gluttony or too much "stuff" and no place to put it at home. I hope this helps... you are very kind and generous for even thinking about gifts for teachers!

As a teacher (substitute 10+ years) and my SIL is a teacher.... they do appreciate the thought, however, she has lotions, mugs, ceramics, etc running out of her ears.

One thing that does happen in most schools.... teachers end up soending their own money for extra supplies, snacks, books, etc for the classroom.

I know my SIL truly appreciates giftcards (no matter how small) for things listed above. Other nice treats are giftcards from Starbucks, Sonic or your teacher's favorite spot.

In the past, for our teacher gifts...we've done movies for 2 with treats, gift cards for Starbucks, Bath and Body (they do love the antibacterial gels and soaps for the classroom), Sonic, boxes of chocolates from Godiva, a pretty scarf in school colors, etc.

Also, a handwritten card from the student is priceless!!

Book Store gift card doesnt have to be big! 5$ buys a book!
handwritten note from child:)

Is there a teacher supply store in your area? When my daughter was teaching school, she loved gift cards to the store here. She was supplying her classroom on a very limited budget, and that sort of gift helped not only her but also her whole class. Add to that a note of appreciation; if you can be specific about a couple of things you appreciate, it will be even better.

All of the years our daughter was in school, I had gotten to know her teachers really well.

I gave them a bottle of sparkling wine or sparkling apple cider . With a gold or silver pen (sharpies) I would write "Have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Years!" Sometimes, I would place this bottle in a "New Years" Top hat with 2 Noise makers.

Also did the same for the principal of her schools.

Never had a complaint.

A note with specific examples of the teacher successfully teaching your child the curriculum. In the age of evaluations, that is most appreciated.

Avoid:
Candles
Hand Lotions
Coffee Mugs
**These things get thrown out. I have been an educator for well over a decade... please believe me on this one!**

Always a Hit:
Gift cards to book stores, office supply stores, Target, Dunkin Donuts. We buy a lot of the items for our classrooms/offices ourselves and this is greatly appreciated as our supplies are often depleted mid-year... $10 at Target can buy a 6-pack of tissues or a lot of hand sanitizer!

Add a note written by your child and you're all set!

LOVE Laurie A's idea!! Just make sure it's concealed in a gift bag... booze in schools may not go over if it's obvious!

I am a teacher in an urban district. Most of my families can't afford to send a gift and I am totally o.k. with that. What I LOVE is a note from the student. I do like the coffee/tea/cocoa sampler idea. Remember, that while you may have done this every year, your child's teacher has changed! Forgo the mug though. Really have plenty of those :)

I think that any "disappearing" gift is good. Coffee, cookies, etc. Sometimes i then can use them for a family gathering, too, since time is always short!

Lotions depend on the teacher. I had a student bring me a big pump bottle of the Suave kind I have sitting out for both the kids and I and that was great. Better than the ones that smell great, but don't do much for dry hands.

My son'e teacher mentioned to her class that if they were going to get her a gift she would really like 3 of the same book (any book) for them to use in their Readers' Workshops. This is what I am doing for her. I LOVE that she gave such a specific idea!

Ummm...(just to say) I like this post not because I will be giving anyone Christmas presents ever in life, but see that teachers like getting gifts.. I will be letting my kids give teachers Just because gifts.. To let them know they are appreciated... :) :0 :)

This is a homespun gift that's quick, fun to make, and it never fails to give the teachers and assistants and secretaries smiles(he never forgets anyone!). It's really great(and eco-friendly for those that are going green), recyclable, bio-degradable(cotton and rice and tea all compost nicely).

Supply list:
Cotton Quilting fat quarters(Walmart for about $1 and some change) for each person.
2 boxes holiday tea if cheaper than looseleaf
Cheapest bag of rice(Walmart again usually has cheapest)
Cotton yarn
If you don't use a sewing machine, needle and thread(thread never has to match these if using a machine, I usually use white or black thread in mine).

We wash and dry the fabric(unscented soap and softener.
We then fold them in half(pressing them with an iron if needed), then fold them again.
Then we stitch along the long side, and one end of the shorter sides.
Turn inside out. You now have a tube.
Place into it 1 cup of rice, and then the contents of two tea bags, then the other cup of rice.
Turn the unfinished edge in, then stitch the end shut.
Shake the now pillow of rice and tea a bit to mix it.
If they are not old enough to handle a sewing machine or needle and thread themselves, give them two large pieces of cotton yarn, and have them tie the pillow in thirds, knotting them snugly in place. Make a nice bow of each, and clip the excess tails to make them even if desired.
Print little wallet size pictures of them, and glue onto cardstock paper with the following instructions:

(scent of tea here) Hot/cold pack.

Directions:
For Hot pack: Place pillow in microwave, and heat for one minute, or for 30 seconds extra if not warm enough.
For Cold pack: spritz lightly with water, and place in freezer for 2 hours, and use as needed.

Fun fact: Rice after being warmed for a while, gets a toasted nut smell.

Merry Christmas (Insert teachers name here)!

We make these yearly for family and friends(they always love having several), in addition to any other gifts we give them.

Hope this helps.

If they are elementary teachers, here's an idea. IF there is a teacher's supply store in the area, a gift certificate there would be nice. Elementary teachers have to spend a lot of their own money, especially if they haven't been teaching long, on outfitting their room. They also spend money on books and supplies because schools only give a small amount of money as a stipend for this.

If your teachers are middle or high school, I wouldn't bother because I don't think it applies near as much to them.

I'm sure the other ladies will give you some additional ideas - maybe some of them will be teachers.

Dawn

I've got teachers in the family, and the last thing they want is a mug, an ornament, cocoa, etc.
We do gift cards: gas or food.
Boring? Maybe.
Definitely used? For sure!

Oh--craft supply gift cards have also been appreciated!

I typically give them Target gift cards because my grand plans always run out of time.

However, I REALLY love Laurie A's idea of the sparking wine or cider! Cute!

I am a 2nd grade teacher. They are only allowed to accept gifts that are principally sentimental in nature and of small financial value. This is because (usually hs students) pay to change their grade to a passing grade. Just get them a card.

I always give some sort of gift card, usually to a book store. They can buy a book for the classroom or themselves. Although I wonder how relevant this will be ongoing. Target is probably pretty good too.

All of us teachers are thrilled to be appreciated. That said, we are up to our ears in coffee mugs, coffee, cookies, pumpkin bread, desk accessories, "#1 teacher" plaques, and Christmas-themed items. And that includes the teachers who don't celebrate Christmas - what in the world will we do with little Santa figurines?

We DO spend a lot of our own money in the classroom, so gift cards for teacher supply, office supply or discount stores are great. Sometimes we wind up using the cards to buy gifts for our own family members, which is okay too.

The best things are a real, sincere note from the child, and/or including a note from the parent. Just something small - not a big mushy thing.

The other thing that so many schools do, which makes it easy and affordable for parents and so great for teachers is this: one or two room parents (usually "elected" in September or just volunteers) send an email or flyer to the parents suggesting contributions to a group fund. This lets each family give what they can afford and eliminates any "competition" among families. Families with 5 kids in the school system can't give $20 per teacher; families in which someone has lost a job can't either. If everyone sends in an envelope marked the same way (however instructed), then the person collecting has no idea who gave what. Then the money is pooled and a nice gift purchased - salon gift certificate (for massage, hair, nails), a boutique, a restaurant, or a combination of several things. It's fun for the teacher to open a couple of items in a gift bag, but they can all be practical and usable.

Some school systems have an education foundation to which parents can contribute. The teacher gets a notice that the Smith family has made a donation in his/her honor, and then the money is available for teachers who apply for mini-grants to fund things that the budget doesn't cover. That puts the money right back into your kids' classrooms but lets the teacher do something she/he really wants to do in terms of learning in a special and meaningful area.

The majority of my sons teachers are female. So, every year I make them christmas earrings and bracelets. My son picks out each one for a specific teacher. They are all different and in different styles.

Candles are great.
They get used up eventually and don't lie around dusting up a shelf or take up space in an attic for years.

I go to gator bobs warehouse and they have glasses, candles, trinkets, picture frames, crystal, cookwear, etc...for a great price but nice look. Gator bobs also has things teachers can use in the class room, if you want to donate towards the cause. Even sometimes starbucks gift cards, cozzy socks, heat blanket, neck warmer, etc...for time to go home and relax. I have even given movies tickets, purchased from costco. I just want the teachers to know as a parent I care so the thought is what counts. My best friend is a teacher so i listen to what she gets. we may even make a gift and it is nice when the teacher has is on display or uses it depending on what it is. We have given a candy bouquet, pencil holder....

I usually give gift cards to Barnes & Noble. I figure most teachers probably like to read and, if not, they can use it for books for the classroom (though I certainly hope they use it for themselves). I also will have my son make a nice card for them. If money is an issue, homemade cookies are always a nice gift, too. Sometimes you can find a cute tin for under $5 (I got great ones at Michael's one year for 99 cents each), tie it up with a nice bow, make a cute card and you're set.

I'm also a Discovery Toys consultant and many people choose to give a nice toy to the teacher that can be used in the classroom. If you are interested in this idea, send me a message with your child's age and grade so I can make a couple of specific recommendations. You can also browse them here: http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao

What I have also done in the past is make things for them if I am close to them or a small gift card to walmart/walgreens type places.

For Homemade gifts we have done
Hand Scrubs (Sugar)
Cookies
Breads
Mixes
Chocolate Covered Pretzels (which is always a big hit)