Ideas on Gifts for Daycare Workers

This is easy...especially if they are all women. Go get some coffee mugs (as low as .50 ea at Walmart and Garden Ridge) and fill with a variety of things.....chocolates, small lotions/bath fizzes (Ulta), flavored tea bags, individual serve hot cocoa, granola bars, etc... Wrap in a clear cello with a lovely bow made of Tulle (also cheap and lovely)

Once a parent brought me a coffee mug filled with candy and a $5 giftcard to Starbucks and the card read, "Thanks a Latte!" - I just thought that was too cute!

Bring in doughnuts, kolaches, etc (or lunch, or a cake, you get the idea) for the whole gang and leave a sweet note with it. Food is always a nice treat.

My favorites were:
a CD (places like the dollar store often have cd greeting cards)

gift cards (starbucks or a local FF place for $5.)

A handwritten note. :)

S., daycare worker for several years, now mom to five!

I owned a daycare for 4 1/2 years and have received tons of items, but one of my favorite was a candy basket with a teachers poem. The nice thing about this is its realtively inexpensive because you can make a bunch of baskets with a few bags of candy. I did this for our student council reps at my sons school last year and they loved it! Here's the copy of the poem. You can edit it to suit your candy choices.
Thank you, teachers!
You are all Sweet Tarts for everything you teach our children.
You deserve 100 Grand every PayDay.
We know sometimes our kids act like Air Heads and Nerds or like they’re from somewhere beyond the Milky Way. (Us parents, too!)
You bring such Almond Joy when you teach about the Whatchamacallit and ignore their Whoppers.
It must be hard to contain your Snickers when those little Sugar Babies tell you Mounds of stories.
Sometimes it must seem that all you do is Skor papers.
Most days you probably want to make like Baby Ruth and just run home.
Thanks teachers! You are the Riesen our kids are Smarties instead of Dum Dums.
You are LifeSavers.
With Hugs and Kisses!

When I use to work in day care, one of the nicest gifts you could get was hand lotion. We washed our hands HUNDREDS of times each day (it was also timed, so we aren't talking just getting them wet) and it was with anti-bacterial soap on top of that. Not to mention we washed the hands of the little ones before and after each diaper change. The first couple months I worked there, my hands were so chapped, my fingers would crack and bleed between them without constant lotion!!

HAND LOTION was the best and we couldn't keep it around long enough! If you want to put a special touch on it, make it some nice feminine lotion (sale racks at BBand Beyond) or something and put a ribbon around it.

The gals are going to understand that you can't afford a bunch of money, Heck, daycare is expensive enough!! It's the thought that counts.

No money for all that lotion?? Get some card stock and poster paints and make homemade cards with your little one's hand and foot prints on them. We love special made stuff for us that we get to keep!!

As a teacher-turned-SAHM, I can tell you that I didn't like little knick-knacks nor lotions, bath sets, and candles (people's taste in scents is VERY different). What I really enjoyed were hand-written notes from parents to show me their appreciation. I also really liked framed pics of their little ones (esp. ones taken with me on the first day of school, or some other momentous day).

Is this some special occasion, or just a random thank you? At Christmas time you are going to want to give them something, so if this is a thank you, I would bake a large batch of brownies or cookies or something. It says thank you to EVERYONE without spending a whole lot, and it's something they'll enjoy. A lot of people might advise you to go to the dollar store or something like that because "it's the thought that counts" but really, don't waste your money. I would say bake bake bake and bring them a set of plates and napkins to use while eating your goodies! And a note of appreciation to tell them just why you are doing it. That would be an awesome gift to this former teacher!

As a side note, one of the things that I really liked was getting gift cards (book stores, coffee shops, restaurants, etc.) from my students. It can get expensive, so that would be something that you could do for a main teacher. With 10+, you can't do that!!!

When I was a preschool teacher at a montessori I received all kinds of creative gifts. We got everything from coffee cups filled with candy to handmade picture frames and pins. We also got a lot of gifts that were "one for all" sort of things like big boxes of cookies or candies. I'm sure whatever you do for the teachers, they will love the thoughtfulness of you getting them something :)

It is the thought that truly counts...I always make cookies for my teachers because they are always getting so much "junk" I imagine their houses get so cluttered. I put them on a nice plate ($10 for ten at the dollar store) and wrap them in saran wrap with curling ribbon. I have also given restaurant gift cards to special teachers. You can do enough for dinner, but with the cookies I give like $10, enough for a lunch out. Good luck.

I bought for 8+ for christmas. I went and bought trial size lotion. Then got mini perfumes, usually only can get at Christmas time. They came in pack of 5 and I bought two. Then got large pack of lip gloss and divided it up. Then got each a nail file too. I added bite size chocolates as well. put it all together in a tiny papersack and punched a hole in the corner and tied ribbon through the name card. They all seem to like it. Total cost for everything was about $40-50.

Some of my favorite things that I received from my kids in my class that I've hung onto are a cactus in a terra cotta pot and she decorated it with her handprints and painted it, a recipe book with the families favorite recipes in it and blank pages to add my own, a scrapbook from the class where every kid did a page, and of course food and coffee! Our parents used to do a sign up sheet to have one family bring us lunch each month (there were 2 of us) and it was either homemade or they would bring us a menu from a restraunt that they would be around. Just remember that whatever you do, make it a little extra special for your daughter's teachers that are with her most of the day. It's nice to appreciate the people behind the scenes also, but it was always a bummer to see the office people having lunch from my parents and we got nothing (not trying to be ungrateful for what I did get, just remember who is on the forefront everyday). And teachers don't get paid alot, preschool teachers even less so a gas card or HEB or Wal-Mart, if you can afford it, would probably help alot! It's nice of you think of them.

How thoughtful of u! I would check out www.etsy.com they have the cutest crafts etc. etc. and such an assortment. Everyone please check out if you haven't already.

Being a preschool teacher for 13 years+ I have received some really cute ideas. My favorite was a 6pk of my favorite soda, except she only left two of the sodas in it. In the other 4 spots she put a little tissue paper for decoration along with a low denomination blockbuster card, a microwave popcorn pack, movie sized candy, or snacks. Perfect little travel pack for a "movie night" at home. You could also use the blockbuster popcorn tubs, and fill them the same way! I loved this idea..it was so cute and simple! Of course the card she sent with it made me cry, and was the piece that really meant alot to me. Hearing from parents that they really appreciate what you do for them and their child...is very big, and what you say to them will be what warms their heart.

Hi S.:

I'm not creative at all either! But my sister goes and buys the girls Starbucks or Smoothies about once a month or so. There are two girls that take care of the room the twins are in...but she purchases for the whole daycare center so no one is left out.
I know you said you wanted to get them something they can use...but my sister says they are all so appreciative when she brings them a little something.
The cutest thing I got was a notepad with a Reeses logo on the cover, a KING sized Reeses and a Reeses pen. I constantly have to have a pen and notepad close by, so this was perfect for me...and the KING sized Reeses didn't hurt either!
I'm anxious to see other ideas as your post gets answered.

Blessings,
Rebecca

When I worked in daycare it was always nice to get anything. It is such hard work and it hardly ever get notices. It dont to mention so under paid. So anything is nice. I used to appriciate when a parent would just buy pizza for everyone. Or bring breakfast tacos or doughnuts or anything.

I have many creavtive gifts. One time a parent bought a coffe cup ( plastic to go cup) and filled it with cnady and put a gift card for $5 in it for Starbucks! So I could get at least one coffee. It was nice. I have gotten lotions from Bath & Body, movie tickets, pictures with kids and I. A peom framed about teachers with a picture of the kids. Anything is real nice.
But trust me they will appriciate it!

How about buying a "Gifts in a Jar" book and making each teacher their own jar with a personalized note attached. This way your daughter can help a little bit with pouring the ingredients in the jar.

I have done this by sending a large basket of goodies for the day for the workers and asking the director of the daycare to place it somewhere where all have access to it on a break etc. You can home make goodies, but I just bought wrapped snacks like PB crackers and little debbies and granola bars. I also sent small drinks with it. I labeled the basket with a print out of my kids' faces and said "Thanks for helping up grow" with some flowers on the picture. Simple, not overly cheap, but a great expression to the staff. It seemed to catch the staff that loved and cared for my kids off guard, and they were all SO appreciative.

Hi S.,

I know you want simple, and you want from your heart, so here's my suggestion.
Give them cookies to make. All you do is go online or use your favorite cookie dough recipie and print it up. Get a large canning jar and place all the dry ingredients in it in layers to look nice, and then tie the recipie with a ribbon around the jar. It's a sweet sentiment, and teachers love that it's homemade and they love to eat. We did this last year for all my son's teachers at his school, and when we walked into school this year, they all remembered how sweet it was. It wasn't the normal store bought goodie that they always get.
Good Luck.

C.

S.-- as a former teacher, my very favorite thing to get was a nice handwritten note from the parent or child. That appreciation meant so much to me. I still have all those notes to this day. I especially loved it when the parent included a picture of their child or of the child and me-- I still have all of those, too. As far as little gifts, my favorite things were baked goods or chocolates (even though I'm always on a diet, it was nice to bring them home to my family.) My favorite chocolates to give or get are the Dove ones-- they're small and individually wrapped, so you can have one or two when you really need a chocolate fix. I think a bag is about $3, and you could divide them up into little mini gift bags or baskets-- something cheap. I also loved small-denomination gift cards, like to Starbucks, Target, Barnes and Noble, or a restaurant-- like for $5. (You have to keep the amount small since there are so many teachers.) One of my favorite gifts ever was when a parent got all of her daughter's teachers a caramel apple from a chocolate shop, all wrapped in cellophane and tied with ribbon. I confess, I ate that one-- I couldn't resist! I think she preordered them, and I think they cost her around $5 a piece. If that's not too much money, then you could do those if you don't like the idea of gift cards. I also loved the idea someone mentioned with the funny poem with all the candy-- the poem really made me laugh, and I know my sons and nephews would love the candy. Don't worry about doing something creative-- teachers know that you're as busy as they are, and I think they're most touched by a heartfelt note and a small token.

Bath and Body Works was having a sale on their instant hand sanitizers, 5 for $15! They will definitly use it and they can smell good too!

I bought a big plastic bowl at Walmart for less then a dollar and filled it with snack packs like those peanut butter filled crackers..gum..chips...cookies..there are so many options to choose from and I think I spent between 15-20 for it all...They enjoyed it a lot because they were able to snack out of it for days...

Goodies are always a great idea, alont with an individual note to each person letting them now how much they're appreciated.

Gift certificates are always good - you can get small denominations at Starbuck - Also, a hand written thank you note describing how you appreciate their work with your child.
Take care!
T.

There are so many ideas out there that are not real expensive. I used to own a daycare and would see a lot of little tokens come in for my workers. You can go to one of the dollar stores and get nice things, plus go to your computer and get ideas. You can always do bookmarks, lapel pins that come on little cards with poems,small picture frames, or something that they can use in their classrooms. I hope this gives you some ideas..

This is why I started my company Shea Body Basics, Etc. I needed an inexpensive gift for care takers, and learned how to make soaps and lotions! Get creative!

A great gift would be something practical that they can use there in the DC center. Maybe a basket containing germacide pray in bottle, hand sanitizer, gum, relaxing music cd, etc.

Book stores sell some very nice bookmarks with a little Thank You note printed on it. Memorable and yet inexpensive. M. K

Hi S.,

Daycare workers all have one thing in common. They are tired at the end of the day, and for that matter - the middle and the beginning. They chase our beautiful kids all day. I've always gone to Sonic or McD's and purchased $5 gift cards so they can grab a drink, snack, or quick bite since there are so many locations around the area. It's not personal, crafty, or creative, but they have always seemed appreciative and I've never had one returned unused. I don't have time to create a present, so I always went to this option for milestone events such as when they helped potty train my 2 kids, or just went the extra mile to help with hurt feelings.

Hope this helps,

D.

How about gift certificates to a nice restaurant in your budget range? This is something anyone can use at their convenience.

Sorry I can't actually help, S.. All I can remember is that long ago when I asked my three year old son what we should get "Miss Pam", his pre-school teacher for Christmas, he suggested, "A furry coat." I can't remember what less expensive gift we got her.

Hi , I go to my favorite bakery and get a big cake and have them write THANKS. I take it to the school with drinks and the teachers love it!!!!!!!! That way everyone who has had a part in their lives feels appreciated. K. Hope this helps

Prehaps some plaques that say number one daycare teacher award. you can put anything on them and i think they are priced nicely to do this.

Even a $5 gift card to Starbucks or a place to eat near the daycare would be nice, and maybe bump it up to a higher amount for the couple of people that are special to your child? Also, baked cookies would be a personal touch.

Go to the dollar store and get a coffe cup or something like that - then get the hersey kisses and hersey hugs. Next get a cute picture of your child. Put together a cup full of hugs and kisses with a picture of your child and then get the colorful scran wrap and a ribbon and tie it all up. Print out a note that says hugs and kisses from "Abby" (whatever you're child's name is) and a big thank you from Mom (your name) for all the wonderful care you give us both. We love you.

Simple and easy. I wish you the best.

Buy a bouquet(sp?) of flowers or a dozen roses and divide them up. This, I have found to be the least expensive way of saying thank you without it looking cheap.

You could go to the dollar store and pick up some cute coffee mugs, make or buy some mini muffins, then use colorful saran wrap to put the muffins in the cup. You could also use bowls or a cute basket. I work at a school and little treats are always nice to recieve!

Good luck!

How about lunch? Everyone loves food. You can do sandwiches and fruit, or cookies. You can make them or get them from heb. They do good sandwich and fruit trays.

My daughter's name is Violet and so I just gave her teachers a little African Violet with a pretty ribbon tied around the pot. I included a little personal note with it. The teachers loved it! Sometimes you can find a little potted plant for next to nothing. Check out Lowes and such.

I agree with another response, most teachers I know didn't use the lotions and soaps because it was not their taste. Knick-knacks weren't usually used either. I enjoyed getting food but being on a constant diet, I ate some of it but we (teachers) got tons of food between parties, etc. I really liked gift cards or handwritten notes (I still have many of those). Another idea is an arrangement from Edible Arrangements (fruit made to look like flowers). Just one of those for the whole group would work and it's healthy.

I have given little individual packs of kleenex (sometimes you can find ones with initials on them like monograms) and mini hand soaps. I put them in a little decorative celophane bag and use ribbon to tie them up.

Bring in or have delivered lunch to the daycare for the workers. Often, they get little or no time to actually eat a real lunch. I would steer clear of cake or pizza. They get enough of those when the kids have birthdays and their parents bring that in.

This is what I would like to have if I were them....big fat homemade chocolate chip cookies...yummy.

Im not sure of the answer that you have recieved but a nice gift basket filled with different candies or cookies, or little snacks... i got one for the girls that i used to work with when i left.. they loved it... put one together yourself or buy one but really and truly its the thought that counts...

You can find some cool things at the dollar store! Seeds, a container, etc. or a little dish of candies!

Remember, it's the thought that counts....not how much you spent.

S.,

Get them something for their classroom. Teachers are always looking for new toys/games to play with the kids. I can help you with an age appropriate selection You can go to my website at cindystoybox.com and let me know if you like something. Mamasource members get a discount.

Peace,
C.

I give my child's daycare Pizza Gift cards. They love it! They then order what they want as a group and share it!

E. S.

Any baked goods are always welcome. Something special from your kitchen say's that you cared enough to do this for them.