Preschool Teacher Thank You Gifts

For my oldest son's first year of pre-school, I got quotes from all of the children about their favorite part of pre-school (their parents/other teachers helped with this) and I typed it up on a cute piece of paper and framed it. Not only was it inexpensive, but it was a tear-jerker, and also a great visual for prospective families as far as the benefits of the preschool. As a former teacher (in my previous life before children), I would have loved something like this to put in the classroom to remind me of all the great things about teaching on tough days. But, if you're talking about something a little less personal, but super fun, I don't think you could ever go wrong with a Starbucks gift card! Good luck!

My son just graduated preschool. We took flower pots, wrote "each of us is a flower" (from one of their preschool songs) around the band and then dipped his hands in paint and put handprints on the pot. He chose flowers to plant in the pot and gave that to his teachers along with gardening gloves and a nice thank you note.

what about a personalized gift basket...that's what I'm going to do for my daughter's teacher and the aid as well, as i think they are wonderful too.

I am a teacher as well and have to say that cash is always the biggest "YES" to give to a teacher. Gift Certificates are great as well. I agree with the folks here, coffee, a favorite cafe, or bookstore is always welcomed. Don't forget the internet, like Amazon. It's great to shop all hours of the night. Having said this, my oldest son had a wonderful year with his teacher and classmates and I wanted to commemorate this some how. I agree that the STUFF accumulates with time so we thought of an item that she uses and tried to update it. In the end, we created a new prize box for the class. I had the kids write out the answers to three questions ("I like our classroom because, my teacher is...this year I learned...) then enlarged/reduced the answers on the copier and decoupaged the results along with their signatures all over the box. It was personal, useful and precious! Could work the same with a clip board, mirror frame, book shelf, bulletin board, etc...Of course I placed the cash I collected in the box as HER prize. It was huge hit.

I am giving my son's preschool teacher/director and her teaching assistant gift certificates for a manicure and pedicure.

I used to be a preschool teacher & my favorite gifts were gift cards of any kind. If you don't want to do the store gift cards, services are great. A gift to a restaurant or a spa treatment.....etc or places you know she/he shops. Sounds like you might be looking to get a bit more creative with the gift but remember giving what is needed is a gift in itself & I am sure whatever amount will be appreciated. Living on that salary is a challenge, especially in the bay area & any little extras to have some fun $ was always nice.

I am also a teacher and I love gift cards but my favorite gift was when a parent had every child draw a picture and made them into note cards. I loved them. I now do it for all my kids teachers. It is a practical gift because we all use thank you cards. If you just had a your child make 3 or four pictures, or even art from her class and shrink it down and make copies and glue it on card stock... it's easy.

As a teacher, homemade gifts are always loved!! I also really appreciate a handwritten card from parents. That means a lot.

Gift cards are wonderful.....Starbucks, Jamba, frozen yogurt, restaurants, bookstores....etc.....it doesn't have to be a large amount....$5 at Starbucks makes my day!!!! I have also received manicure/pedicure/massage gift cards and that is FABULOUS but can be pricey (They go in together on these)!! A bit of pampering never hurts!!!

This year I got a wonderful gift....a parent got me a magazine subscription to O magazine. It was wonderful and very thoughtful I thought.

I can't speak for all teachers but the "teacher mugs" and jewelry don't work as far as practical gifts.....you'll be able to tell is a teacher wears that stuff daily or not. I have a box full of mugs I don't know what to do with!!!

Thanks for thinking of us!! We do appreciate it!!!

Hi...I have been a preschool teacher. I received a $50.00 gift card one time and the thing that I liked is that I got the message "wow" you are appreciated. I was surprised that's for sure. My recommendation personally would be to buy some Audry Wood, Don Wood or Bruce Wood books for the classroom. The children LOVE them. In a Napping House, Quick as a Cricket, Scardey Cats, Etc. Etc.....These books rock.
Another favorite author is Mo Willems. Mo writes....Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late, Knuffle Bunny and another Knuffle Bunny Book.

Hi A.,
I am a 5th grade teacher....was a Kindergarden teacher for many years! We love gift cards! Some of the best I've gotten were to book stores and spas! (gotta get the summer massage in!) Good luck! Not sure about the smaller gift.....maybe a gift card to a teacher supply store or lotions and things from a nearby spa?

As a teacher I would say gift cards! I know some teachers who like the handmade gifts, but after a few years of teaching you start to run out of places to keep them. I would also suggest not giving a plant unless you know that they are a gardner. I have receive plants over the years and have killed them all because I don't have a green thumb! One other gift I loved was a scrapbook that a family made. It was a very nice quality and they even left spaces for me to add my own pictures from the year. One person wrote that gift cards are nice because teachers don't make a lot. I would agree with this. It is because of the generosity of families giving me gift cards and money that my family has been able to get new summer clothes and go do some fun things during the summer. It is things we would not have been able to do otherwise because money is always a little tighter during the summer months. Hope this helps!

While I was appreciative of every gift I received as a teacher, it was the handmade ones that touched me most. This year, my daughter finished preschool. I printed photos of her and a simple poem. She glued the poem and picture on the front of the card, drew a picture on the inside of the card and wrote her name. I addressed the envelopes. I suppose you could slip a small gift card in too. As a teacher, I would be embarrassed if you gave me more than $10. I cannot remember all of the picture frames, plants, school supplies, Christmas ornaments and mugs I received. I saved every collage and story.

Teachers teach because they are passionate about what they do. I try to thank them in ways that let them know their passion rubbed off on us. Do something age appropriate. A preschooler should be able to draw a simple picture, probably write his or her name and glue things to a piece of paper. By the way, my cards look like the kids made them, not me. The squares are glued on crooked etc. That's what makes them special and helps me remember those kids.

Good luck.

Hi A.,

I have taken pictures of the class at work or play and then put together a little photo album of the school year. Also, having your child draw a picture for the teacher and framing it with a poem or saying from your child. Personalized gifts like that are always nice for a teacher to get. It really makes the teacher feel special and also gives them something to remember your child and the class with. Best of Luck!

Hi-
I am an in-home preschool teacher ... a $50 gift card was way over the top. perhaps you could go in with some other moms and get her a spa gift certificate... massages or pedicures to take care of oneself are always well received... also have your child do something... paint a pot and put a plant in it... one of the best gifts i ever received was a large pot painted with all the children's handprints from the class as flowers on the outside. each child from the class signed it.i still have it on my front porch as a constant reminder of that class..
an apron she could wear while painting with the children from the class'signing their names on it would also be a wonderful from the class gift.
i have also had my children help make cookie mixes in mason jars to give their teachers.. in this way the gift is from them also.. and they are so proud.
the gift need not be expensive ... it really is the thought that counts ... and remember .. as teachers we really do love your child.. their artwork on a card is perfect!

laura firpo
childhaven preschool
brentwood, ca

Hi. A $50 gift card is NOT too much. These (typically) women barely make a living wage, and I can assure you that you are the relatively rare parent who gives a nice gift of appreciation. I'm sure whatever you give will be very helpful and very much appreciated. Teachers really don't get much remuneration for the difficult, incredibly vital and sometimes dangerous job they do. Kudos for being so thoughtful!

Cash is great - collect $20 from each family and split it up however you like between the teachers. They dont get paid much, so this is a nice present.

I am collecting $20 from each parent in my son's class. Then I will put together some small baskets with french soaps I happen to have gotten at a warehouse sale and some other skin care stuff. One of our moms owns a spa and we will use the money to get each teacher a massage and facial.

We did something similar last year as well. Spa gift certificates and I had made some knitted washcloths and soaps to include with the gift cards.

My son goes to another school where he is only one of a few kids. I will be getting the teacher's gift certificates for Jamba Juice and Starbucks.

As a techer I can say I am always up for gift cards--I save my Starbucks cards for a particularly rough morning or after a long week. ;)

This year I gave each teacher and aide a Starbucks card and a jar of super-rich hand lotion with Shea Butter (my regular favorite is from Bath and Body Works). Teachers' hands get SO dry from continually washing them that this helps them stay away from sand paper status.

One year I decorated a clip board for a pre-school teacher and added a decorated journal with pen (I scrap so it's like second nature for me).

I also like to have the boys do their own cards for teachers--those are easy to keep and take out to enjoy during rough stretches. :)

One year I received a really cool glass fish that is clear and has two colored fish inside it--it's still on my nightstand even after the remodel--it was such an unexpected gift and so thoughtful from one of my students who was graduating.

In all seriousness, if you tell your teacher just how s/he helped your child in one particular area or just in general it will make their day. Not one teacher I know teaches for the money but to see that one student suddenly succeed. :)

M.

As a former preschool teacher, here are some ideas I liked...
-a hardcover book as a classroom donation (if there was a unit covered, like dental health or gardens, something she can keep to enhance one of those units)and then attach a $10-$20 Borders gift card with a note ("since you've done so much reading for our little ones, get YOURSELF a summer read!")
-I purchased an autograph stuffed animal and attached a Shaprie marker and had all the students 'sign' the animal for her to keep
-For those other staff...fill a small sand pail with the following candy with a typed note...
Mr. Goodbar (add a marker 's' if a Mrs. on each label) and write "since you've been such a good teacher) (can also use Good N Plenty and say "since you've been such a good teacher with plenty of love")
Whoppers malt balls ("we've had a whopping great time this year!"
a Kudos granola bar ('KUDOS' to you for a job well done)
Starburst (you've been a shining star in my world this year!)
Milky Way (you're OUT OF THIS WORLD!)

Please don't consider apple theme gifts...ha-ha!
Hope these are helpful!

My son's pre-school class collected money and we gave the teacher a gift card tree. She received a variety of gift cards to her favorite places in different amounts. The cards were placed on flower card holders and inserted into a potted plant. Last year the class collected money and we gave the teacher a gift card to a spa and restaurant. Each year at our school the class has gone in on a gift. I hope that helps.

My mom has been a teacher for 30 years and her favorite gifts are always the gift certificates. I asked her recently what the best gift was that she ever got, and she said that the family of a particularly difficult child got her a $50 gift certificate to her favorite nursery (she's an avid gardener). She always loves getting Starbucks or Jamba Juice cards, or Target cards.

With that in mind, this year all the parents in my kindergarten daughter's class have gotten together this year and gave $20 each - we are buying her teacher a day at the spa! We gave $10 each to give the teacher's aide a gift certificate to the mall.

The one thing I have heard from my mom and other teachers is that they hate getting teacher mugs that say "#1 teacher" or whatever. Anyone who has been teaching for a few years already has a million of them.

When I was working in a daycare my kids went to work with me, one of my kid's teachers was leaving so I bought a cute little picture frame and put my son's picture in it for her. she loved it.

Tonya

I remember the day I realized how sick of trinkets the poor teachers must be. Gift cards for sure!! Give as much or as little as you want.

I am a preschool teacher and one of the most memorable gifts I ever received was a framed cross stitching the mom made that says #1 Teacher KAT and has a little picture with it. If you are not crafty or into homemade gifts, I have always appreciated gift cards to bookstores (I usually use em to get more books for the classroom). A framed picture of your child is also nice. Good luck!

Educators love gift cards to book stores. They spend money on their students but not always on themselves.

Good luck!

Mona

It doesn't matter what others give. If your class went together to pool what ever cash is given and give as one gift, it wouldn't be a problem. Even if they don't, it doesn't matter. Do what you think is right for your teachers.

My daughter painted a picture for each teacher, portraits of the teacher (I have a budding artist, I think), and I had them matted with a 3" suede-like mat. They hang in the classroom still.

We also know that they like to go to the movies. For each teacher we bought a ring of carnival tickets at the Party Store. I glued the outer ring to itself and when it was dry, I pushed the inner rings down to form a bowl. Then we filled the bowl with movie size candy boxes and gift cards to the theater and Starbucks(We knew they go daily). I put the bowl on colored cellophane wrap, pulled it up, and tied a bow with ribbon. It was creative and appreciated.

Other years we found out what the teachers loved to do or where she gets her hair and nails done and purchased gift certificates to those places. One year we bought the teacher a partial-highlight. She cried when she opened it up.

as a preschool teacher myself (i used to be), my favorite gifts were the gift cards for sure. also, one year all the parents put together their money and got us spa gift cert which was super nice. also, another year all the parents donated money and gave us each cash! i was blown away. i think they realize how underpaid teachers are...anyway, i loved having a few hundred bucks cash. that was a fun gift. good luck!

the gift cards are great but not personal and 50$ is a bit much if you know they like wine then maybe something like that and then let your son decorat it or a personal gift basket maybe put bath and shower stiff in it or fruts if you know anything about the teacher make it personal to them so if they are into cars maybe a few car things or if you know there fav flowers food drink ex make it more adolt stuff but then again let your son help and put things together it will be fun for you and your son and it will be great for the teacher too

This year, I got some of the other moms and we pitched in for a gift card. It's always fun to shop! But, for Christmas, I got some plain wood frames (I think from IKEA), and had my daughter paint them. I then had a class picture from a visit they had made to a convalescent home and put in the frames. The teachers loved it. Also, getting a cute potted flower with a card that reads, "Thanks for helping us bloom!" Hope this helps.

-K.

You reminded me that our younger son is done this week w/preschool & I need to get his teachers gifts! When our older son was in prechool, I did the typical gift cards.....Barnes & Nobles, Starbucks or Peets, Target. In fact, one of the preschool teachers babysits for us & has a speccial card holder just for her gift cards so she has them w/her at all times. That said, I say stick w/gift cards. While home-made gifts are sweet, teachers do get A LOT of them & honestly, they aren't very practical. At my older son's school, they have a cash only gift policy cuz teachers get so much 'stuff' they don't know what to do w/it. Fine by me.....no need to shop! Cash isn't very personsal but, as we all know, teaches make diddly squat & any extra cash is highly appreciated! So, either get the class parents to go in a big cash gift or just give cash yourself. Good luck!

Tastefully Simple products are a good gift. Everyone eats, and they are so simple to make.

Hi A., Our daughters preschool teachers were happy to get a basket of home baked cookies or some special jams and crackers. Even a nice candle should be well received. Hope this helps - Patti b.

I usually give my daycare/preschool provider loves when I buy her antibacterial pump soap and lotions. It is something she needs that she uses eveyday, but it isn't stinky Dial. :D She looks forward to it!! She also love the Starbuck's and restaurant gift cards...because like someone mentioned, even though the teachers love gift cards to bookstores, they rarely spend them on themselves. :D

As a preschool teacher for over 20 years, I can tell you that preschool teachers love gift cards! Ours is not a high paying profession. We do it because we love young children. I know many who work two jobs to make ends meet. So gift cards, which allow us to get something special for ourselves are greatly appreciated. What teachers do not need are more teacher themed items. Anyone who has taught over a year has plenty of teacher mugs & copies of the poem about our bank account not being important because we were important in the life of a child. Yes, we are very proud that we are important to children's lives, but we do not need 100 copies of the poem! You are on the right track with the gift cards, no matter the amount. even a $5 card for Starbucks or Jamba Juice is greatly appreciated. The other thing that teachers appreciate very much is a card telling the teacher what you appreciate about the teacher and what your child appreciates about the teacher. Quotes from your child are nice, too. Ours is often an undervalued profession & no one tires of hearing that others think they are wonderful! Working with young children is both joyful and exhausting. We are grateful for parents like you who take the time to show their gratitude for our dedication to children!(And $50 is not too much if you can afford it!)

I saw this really cute idea in my scrapping magazine...create a scrap book of photos from the year, as well as copies of products (or have your child recreate projects) of how your child grew over the year as a result of what was learned. You can buy scrapping kits that have everything you should need aside from the personal additions...one place I know you can look at is creativememories.com

The gift that was most appreciated by my daughters' teachers was a white T-shirt that was decorated by student's signatures (when they were old enough to write) or handprints with names printed for them. Add the year and it's a visual reminder of these little ones and how much the teacher is appreciated. Arrange for a couple of the moms to come help; send the teacher out for 1/2 hour or so and collect the handprints directly on the T-shirt of on iron-on paper.