Teacher Christmas gifts

[k23m]

I'm at a loss what to do for my daughter's grade 1 teacher - He...yes HE...is awesome, but I'm finding it hard to think of a good idea for a male teacher.

I don't want to spend a fortune, and I would rather not just do a gift card, but he's just getting a coffee card if I don't think of a better idea!

[Darcy Baldwin]

psst... a custom font makes an AWESOME & unique gift for a teacher

[luckyme]

My husband is a teacher. He'd be grateful for a kind note. But if you really want to give a gift, how about a bottle of wine, some homemade baked goods, chocolate, classroom supplies (hand sanitizer, kleenex, markers, stickers, etc.), books for the classroom, a Christmas ornament, nice coffee and a mug...

[luckyme]

Originally Posted by Darcy Baldwin

psst... a custom font makes an AWESOME & unique gift for a teacher

YES! I got one for my teacher hubby years ago and he uses it all the time!

[SmallMoments]

Definitely the custom font! Or.... hmmm... does he do Scholastic orders? I know you can buy a gift card for the classroom if you order online. (If he has an online account, that is) Homemade goodies are always welcome for our guy teachers!

[SmallMoments]

Oh! The other post reminded me... a magazine subscription for the classroom! Zoobooks, National Geographic Kids... those are both great ones for that age!

[jacinda]

A book of movie tickets?

[julifish]

In Elementary school we always bought a few books for the class library (we have an awesome used book store at our Flea Market and the owner is awesome at helping to pick out grade appropriate books. I usually paired that with a GC for the teacher to Target or Barnes and Nobel (I figured they had to get supplies for the class or something for themselves).

I also agree on the Hand Sanitizer for his desk. Who doesn't need that with a class full of germy hands? Class supplies are always a good gift! Especially paired with a note from your child or you talking about what your student is enjoying this year or something the teacher has done that has benefited your child.

[lovely1m]

I always give a Starbucks card. I don't know, I think it's pretty appreciated. lol

[rach3975]

I know you said you'd rather not do a gift card, but in my experience teachers like getting them. When you're getting 20+ gifts twice a year every year from people who don't know your taste or interests, it's a lot of "stuff" to make room for in your life. When we don't do gift cards we do something consumable like chocolate. Something for the classroom is also a nice idea.

[pewtertm]

(speaking as a former teacher) Gift certificates to a local teacher supply store or a bookstore are always appreciated. Teachers spend so much of their own money on supplies, and they really don't make much.

This reminds me that I still need to get Rachel's teacher something. Our school has a sheet outside each teacher's door with their favorite things (restaurants, drinks, snacks, etc) and home decorating color schemes. Makes it easy for buying if you don't want to go the gift card route. You might ask one of the other teachers on that grade level, or the school secretary and see if there's anything that the teacher really enjoys.

[nikkiARNGwife]

I'm making homemade caramel sauce and putting it in little mason jars. I need to get on that though lol

I always liked homemade goodies like that when I was teaching..and I really like the books for the classroom idea or supplies gift cards. Teachers spend SO MUCH of their own money.

[Jengerbread88]

The custom font is a really cool idea!

[kim21673]

I will be watching this thread!!!

In the past, we have done a movie themed basket and a coffee themed basket for Christmas.....

[SeattleSheri]

My husband is a HS teacher and loves getting Starbucks cards. I think gift cards are good, since people can choose how to use them. Even though baked goods are well intentioned, we rarely eat them ... even though my husband totally appreciates the sentiment. One year I found them in our garage a month later tucked in the corner, eeks! I'm getting the boys' teachers $25 Amazon GCs and our before/after school care providers are getting $10 each (there are a lot of them). I wish I had more time to make or get them something more thoughtful, but it's better than nothing.

[Nettio]

My mom was a teacher and I always recommend being careful with any kind of food gifts, whether homemade or store bought, unless you're sure there aren't any allergies or food issues in their household. My dad (severe nut allergy) ended up in the hospital one Christmas from a well-meaning student's gift of almond Hershey Kisses. He's always super careful but he ate one thinking my mom had bought them since we never ever had nut candies in our house and well, those kisses all look the same.

I agree on the gift cards or gifts for the classroom. Unless they're a brand new teacher, I'd also stay away from mugs since after awhile you've amassed quite a lot of those.

[pewtertm]

Originally Posted by Nettio

I'd also stay away from mugs since after awhile you've amassed quite a lot of those.

Yes! It doesn't take long...a mug with those nasty strawberry candies...seems like every year brought 2 or 3 more. LOL as someone who doesn't drink coffee or hot tea, I had no need for one, let alone the number of apple themed mugs I got. Hello, Goodwill

[dana]

i'm doing gift cards too .. it's not very original, but i feel like it's really useful and appreciated

[k23m]

I like the idea of a Scholastic gift card - I know they do book orders & book fairs so maybe he could use that for the classroom.
I got a pile of kit kat bars for all the teachers (sunday school, etc too) and I'm going to tag them with "You deserve a break" - and some of them will get a little extra card or something attached.
Thanks for all the ideas!
The handwriting idea I love too!

[Tronesia]

We are getting a Starbucks card and my daughter made a card the other day. Gift cards seem easier, especially with allergies and not knowing what someone likes. Thankfully my daughter's teacher sent us a "get to know me" letter at the beginning of the year with a few of her favorite things on there.