Teachers Birthday

Hmmm, I think it was a little crass to put that on the calendar...it's one thing to tell the kids in class because they've asked..it's another to volunteer the information. It's almost like she expects to get something. If you feel obliged to do something I would keep it under $10...remember, they'll still get you for X-mas, teacher appreciation day, and end of school year. Frankly, I'd send a plate of cookies/cupcakes so the whole class can celebrate just like they do for everyone else's birthday...no one else get's presents...don't see why the teacher should either.

If you do feel like you need to...here are things that I have given my kids teachers: Bath & Body (lotion, shower gel, body spray, hand sanitizer), cute teacher stationery (thank you cards, post-it notes), teaching supplies (pencils, awards, name cards, bingo games, stickers, stamps, flash cards, etc. to use with the students), a tote bag with their name embroidered on it (great for field trips), a coffee/tea mug with their favorite stuffed in it (coffee, hot chocolate, tea, etc.), jar of candy for their desk for when they need a pick me up & gift certificates to Scholastic to buy books for their classroom.

I never bought the teachers gifts for that. Sometimes at the end of the year I would get them something if they had made a positive impact on my children.

I have never taken it to be expected but I just usually get a little something for them. I sell Pampered Chef and purchase a couple of the great but smaller pieces for about $15 total. If you like the idea here is my website... www.pamperedchef.biz/B.
If you are local- Near Olathe KS call me and I can add the order to a party to save you on shipping.
Here is what I usually get for them- Two $4 rubs, $1 Seasons Best Cookbook, $1 Citrus Peeler (they are so popular!)

Good luck!

I agree that it is unnecessary to buy anything. Have your daughter draw her a picture or make a card. Here's a link for some cute printable cards she can color: http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=30&e=printcard....

I would guess the birthday is probably on there because all birthdays are on the monthly calendar, including the children, but maybe just the staff. It also might serve as a reminder to others (staff) as to days they may want to take off. HTH!

Have your child make a card or draw her a picture

At least a card (maybe made by your child) would be nice, but remember, you may want to get the teachers a present at Christmas and I've also given gifts at the end of the year as a thank you. So, keep in mind that you have two teachers - two Christmas presents, two end of the year presents (if you do that) and two b-day presents. It adds up, but you do appreciate their job!

Hello, I agree with all of the other great advice. I'm a Preschool teacher by profession, now a stay at home mom, and I too put staff birthday's on the event calendar. Mainly because the children alway liked to know. Gifts were never expected but I did always really truly appreciate getting a card. It is a wonderful simple way to let your childs teacher know that they are appreciated very much. Some of my favorite unexpected gifts throughout my career have been cards, flowers, candy (who doesn't like a chocolate break!!?), a gift card to the coffee shop and a small photo frame to display in the classroom. Hope this helps, I'd ask you daughter what she wanted to get for her teacher - you may be surprised by how thoughtful of an idea she has and I'm sure her teacher would love it!

As a teacher, I say no to having to buy a gift. If you wanted to recognize the birthdays, a homemade card would be perfect. It's sweet of you to consider but, in my opinion, not necessary.

Good Morning K., In my humble opinion :)) No gift is really necessary. Have your little Princess make a B day card to give them. Colored paper, crayons, maybe a little glitter and that's it.
Everyone knows it's the parent who buy gifts or picks them out for the child to give. Well this way they have their B days acknowledged and the child is the maker and giver of gift. A Card.
Now for Christmas a nice gift card would work for a dinner out or to a teachers supply store.

God Bless you K.

That's all folks from Her Humbleness :))
K. Nana of 5

You've already been given some great advice. I'm a teacher-in-training myself. I think handmade cards do fine, I save all of mine from students I've worked with, it's so personal and means so much! But giftcards are excellent for teachers, they really appreciate them. I used to give my kids teachers personalized items with their name on them. I order some stickers from the Current catalog for teachers, and they could personalize anything in their classroom "this is the property of Mrs. Smith" or something like that. They looked forward to those each year. But now I find out what the teacher is really into/likes and I get a giftcard of no more than $10 to their favorite restaurant or store.

I work at a preschool and a gift that has been very popular with us on staff was blank note cards. They are fairly inexpensive and they are handy. As for if you should get them gifts, thats up to you I have no helpful insight on that, other than where I work gifts are never expected for anything birthdays or holidays. I do know that staff always loves to hear that you/your child enjoys the program and that they are appreciated (provided you feel that way) that is one thing we love to hear or see over and over.

As a preschool teacher, I add my birthday to the calendar because the kids and I have been talking about birthday's all year (mine's in April) and they get so excited to see my name on the calendar. I do not, in any way, expect anything from this. I've had several things done from the more outlandish to the simple. My first year of teaching all the parents gathered up their spare craft supplies and got me started with my 8 own rubbermaid tubs full of stuff. They also bought me a boquet of flowers. Some years, people go out individually. I have had gift cards as high and $25 and a low as $5 (usually starbucks or mcdonalds on the lower amounts). I've gotten plenty of candles, body lotion/wash, etc. My three favorties are: flowers, homemade cards from the kids, or when the class pools together for one thing.

I think it is fine if you are busy and chose to do nothing but have your child wish their teachers a happy birthday closer to the day.

I never bought birthday gifts for my daughter's daycare teachers, but for Christmas I have always baked cookies and put them in a pretty box or tin to give to them. I usually go to home goods and buy one of the smaller decorative boxes (like hat boxes). I put the cookies in a large ziploc baggie to keep them fresh and then put the bag of cookies in the box.

I am currently an elementary teacher. I would guess that the teacher included her birthdate in the calendar for grins, not for gifts.
If you want to give her a little something a card, balloons, or a small gift card would be greatly appreciated. I would hold off until Christmas, then get her a gift card. Remember that teachers do NOT need candles, or mugs, or Christmas ornaments. Those tend to be in abundance on shelves at teachers' homes.

Hi K.,

I would have your daughter make her a Birthday card, and for Christmas let your daughter make her something like a bead necklace, bracelet or a maccoroni necklace.

All of us grownups love those types of things - my granddaughter is 5 and every time she sees me wearing the little bead bracelet she made me she just glows!

It's great that you are so thoughtfull!

N.

Send her a cookie or cupcake. Or some other type of treat. That is all she needs, probably not asking for anything, just letting you know she is human too. Good luck and God Bless.

I don't think that the teacher is expecting a gift or that one is required, but something small is always nice. I suggest a gift card for $5 or $10 to a book store or Starbucks, or something as simple as her favorite candy bar and/or pop.

I usually give them a token. Teaching my daughter is a hard job, so I want her teacher to know that she's appreciated. I do not go over board. I usually give a QT gift card for $5.00 and a homemade card from my child. QT is always a good one, because they can get gas or get a drink. Sometimes, I throw it in a coffee mug (if they drink coffee or tea).

You dont have to get a gift -just a card would be nice.
If you wanted to get a gift I suggest a candle or body lotions,slippers,maybe 10-15 dollar gift card.....something like that.....Or maybe your child could make something for her.

As a former teacher, now stay at home mom, I can tell you that gifts were never expected, but always truly appreciated. It was so nice to feel appreciated for the work I was doing - just a card was nice. Gift cards are by far the BEST gift for a teacher any time of the year. Teachers spend so much of their own money in the classroom, so it is a perfect gift. Even $5 is helpful it's the gesture and thought that counts. Ideas for giftcards - Borders bookstore, Bradburns teacher store, Starbucks, QT, Subway, Bread Co., Walmart or Target are all great ideas. Good luck.