I know teachers hate getting coffee mugs.

[SusanBAnthony]

And I have heard they hate baked goods (too many plus questionable home cleanliness). But I need something cheap.  

I have:
DS main teacher
DS 4 therapists
DS 4 specials teachers

DD main teacher
DD aide
DD 3 bus drivers (preschool bus so they do a lot for the kids- buckling, singing songs, emergency potty runs, etc).

I could obviously skip all the specials teachers.  I think I will bake for all the therapists and specials teachers, because I just can't afford to buy something for everyone.  But I am open to suggestions.  What would you do?

[imojoebunny]

How about some hot coco mix, coffee flavoring (simple syrup infused with flavoring, lots of online recipes), a box of stationary (blank cards they can use for thank you notes. I know my daughters teachers have written lots of them to me), something small and useful from the dollar store, like a cup of pens or box of post it's notes,

[ssmjlm]

What about a $5 gc stuck to something they could use like classroom supplies?

[IIOY]

Yes, they hate baked goods.

Gift cards are always a safe bet.

[gibbinator]

Dh loves baked goods :-P
but other favs are gift cards for Tims (essentially starbucks) or hot chocolate /coffee mixes.

[SusanBAnthony]

Dec 3, 2013 8:10:08 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

What about a $5 gc stuck to something they could use like classroom supplies?

I did 5$ target GC's last year, but with 14 people that is 70$.  So either I cut my list or I find something cheaper.  

[ssmjlm]

I know there were some BF deals on gc's, but maybe split things up where not all teachers get the same thing.

[redheadk]

One of my students gave me a ton of savory snacks one year. That was a great food gift! It's been 7 years and I still remember it, lol. It had cheese straws (yum!), chez mix, and a small cheese ball and crackers. Honestly, the cheese straws alone would be a great gift, especially packaged prettily (you could put them in cellophane bags tied with ribbon and a little sprig of fake holly).

Homemade caramel corn would be good, too.

Avoid cookies, fudge, etc.

[mbcdefg]

My mom is a grammar school teacher, and she really likes getting scratch-off lottery tickets. Plus small gift cards, even $5, to places like Dunkin Donuts and McDonald's. And now she has an iPad so she might like an iTunes gift card.

She passes a lot of stuff on to me and my siblings, like coffee mugs and Christmas tree ornaments. If she gets candy or baked goods, sometimes she saves it so that she can put it out when company comes over for the holidays.

For $1, I'd go with a scratch-off over a coffee mug. Or, like @simpledog said, maybe a handwritten note from you and/or your kids thanking them for their hard work. MH is a high school teacher and so he really doesn't get any gifts, but one year a kid gave him a nice snowglobe. He appreciated the gesture more than the gift itself, just because he often feels like he does thankless work. He's always really touched when a kid or a colleague makes it a point to tell him that they enjoy his class and appreciate his work.

[formerlyak]

Are there room moms at your school? Maybe talk with then about organizing a class gift for the main teachers? Our classes have done that a few years - everyone pitches in what they can and we get a large gift card or special gift from the class. This year we actually collected enough to get the teacher a new iPad for her classroom. In kinder we got her a small digital camera for the classroom so she didn't have to keep bringing hers from home. I think that year we each did $5-10.

[luvmagoldn]

I have gotten teachers note cards and pens from the sale bins at Michael's. I figure they can always use them to send notes home with students and such.

End of year last year I put them in paper lunch bags, used a hole punch to put two holes in the folded down top then threaded pretty checkered ribbon through the holes. It was a simple gift with a cute presentation.

[BeagleMama]

If you're really tight on money, I'd skip the cheap gift. I worked at a summer camp for years and there was a mom whose two kids were there on scholarship. At the end of each summer she personally hand wrote the kindest, most thoughtful notes to all the kids counselors and managing staff. They weren't overly gushy, just included an anecdote about the staff member interacting with her child and how she appreciated our hard work. It meant so much more to me than another random item.

If I were a teacher, I'd appreciate that gesture around Christmas.

[matildasun]

Dec 3, 2013 9:08:14 GMT -5 luvmagoldn said:

I have gotten teachers note cards and pens from the sale bins at Michael's. I figure they can always use them to send notes home with students and such.

End of year last year I put them in paper lunch bags, used a hole punch to put two holes in the folded down top then threaded pretty checkered ribbon through the holes. It was a simple gift with a cute presentation.

Teachers never have enough pens. They grow legs and walk away. I would be thrilled with a couple of pens tied in ribbon. You could buy them in a big package and split them up. 

[lasagnasshole]

Dec 3, 2013 9:16:46 GMT -5 BeagleMama said:

If you're really tight on money, I'd skip the cheap gift.

I agree.  I'm the child of a teacher, and honestly, I don't think we ever gave gifts until we were in HS and my mom insisted we send flowers to the teachers who wrote our college recommendations.  I'm sure the teachers will get plenty of gifts.  There's nothing wrong with not giving a gift to a teacher.

[jennistarr1]

So what are you trying to spend per person? What about those little pocket packs sanitizer from bath and both works?

[julygal]

As a former teacher, I pick up the small bag of Lindt truffles that has about 3 truffles in it and are about $1 each then have DD write a card. It works great for the specials teachers, as I find they often don't get thought of and enjoy a little something. Then I get the main teacher a gift card to go with the truffles. For my child in preschool, the room parent organizes a gift, so each family gives $10-20. They pool the money to get the teacher and assistant something from the class.

[nancybotwin]

There is one family at my school who make chocolate covered pretzels every year to give to staff. I love those pretzels and look forward to them every year.

[Deleted]

Dec 3, 2013 10:02:09 GMT -5 julygal said:

As a former teacher, I pick up the small bag of Lindt truffles that has about 3 truffles in it and are about $1 each then have DD write a card. It works great for the specials teachers, as I find they often don't get thought of and enjoy a little something. Then I get the main teacher a gift card to go with the truffles. For my child in preschool, the room parent organizes a gift, so each family gives $10-20. They pool the money to get the teacher and assistant something from the class.

Adding to this - if you have a Lindt store nearby, you can get a big bag of 75 truffle balls for like $20- you could split them up into small organza bags or wrap in tissue inexpensively.

[stealthmom]

Honestly? A really nice ty card from you and/or your LO would thrill most of those people on your list. I dob't think most teachers care about gifts. I do think they would like appreciation of their hard work.

[mbcdefg]

Dec 3, 2013 10:02:09 GMT -5 julygal said:

As a former teacher, I pick up the small bag of Lindt truffles that has about 3 truffles in it and are about $1 each then have DD write a card. It works great for the specials teachers, as I find they often don't get thought of and enjoy a little something. Then I get the main teacher a gift card to go with the truffles. For my child in preschool, the room parent organizes a gift, so each family gives $10-20. They pool the money to get the teacher and assistant something from the class.

I just saw these in Target this afternoon. They're with all the Christmas candy, in that back section with the bin of $1-3ish stocking stuffer gifts.

[dragonfly08]

I bake, because I like to, but just in case the teacher can't/doesn't want to eat it, the baked good isn't the whole gift. I pick up cute cereamic loaf pans to make stuff in, so they can keep that, and I usually wrap it with cellophane, a nice wooden spoon, and a copy of the recipe.

[hulley]

I am a teacher, and have newly-discovered food allergies so if I receive baked goods, unfortunately they will go to waste. I just won't take the risk. With cheap gifts, I have the worst guilt about tossing them, so I have a bin of stuff in the garage (I'm only in my 2nd year and am told it gets easier to toss).

I love the idea of the Lindt truffles. Or some peppermints. I always have a jar of peppermints on my desk because my throat gets dry during the day and/or I may have coffee breath and don't have a chance to brush at work most days. Peppermints in bulk cost about $3/bag at my grocery store, and you could easily fill a dollar store candy jar. I bet that would cost less than $2/gift. If the teachers don't like peppermints, it's still a nice thing to have on a desk for others (bonus - the kids won't hound you for them like they do with chocolates!)

Really, the thought is what counts. I don't know any teacher who would want a parent to go over budget just to receive another token gift.

[livinitup]

I think $5 for those you can afford and a sincere thank you note for all.

[Deleted]

Thank you card + lotto ticket.

[SusanBAnthony]

Thanks for all the ideas, guys. I don't have a specific firm budget, just something less than 50$. I make really yummy chocolate sea salt caramels, so I will probably give them 4 of those in a fancy box, and then a few pens tied in a bow, or something like that. I bought a bunch of little treat boxes and cellophane bags on clearance last year, so the cost would be pretty minimal. Then I can give each of their main teachers a 10 or 15$ target GC.

You are making me feel better about not spending more. My closest mom friend was telling me about the scentsy warmers she is getting as her "small" gifts for the aides and specials teachers. I need poorer friends.

[Doggy Mommy]

I'm a teacher. I would never want someone to buy me a present if they can't afford it. I would feel terrible about someone doing that. Just give a nice card.

[llamamama]

I teach middle school and am an elective teacher so I don't usually get a lot of gifts. The gift I love the most is a hand-written card from a student. I think teaching can be difficult and sometimes you feel like you aren't making a difference. Those cards are so meaningful. I keep them in my desk to read on days when I'm feeling down. Occasionally, I will get a $5 Starbucks gift card and even though it's not a huge amount, I love it. My students see me with my coffee cup every morning so maybe that's what gives them the idea:) Also, small bags of yummy chocolates are good. Cards and gifts are not necessary but definitely appreciated.

[Deleted]

This post is making me feel better at being shocked that the suggested gift amt per child was $140 at DD's school. (It's in lieu of individual gifts, but I was still sort of amazed.)

[sarahsas]

Dec 3, 2013 10:02:09 GMT -5 julygal said:

As a former teacher, I pick up the small bag of Lindt truffles that has about 3 truffles in it and are about $1 each then have DD write a card. It works great for the specials teachers, as I find they often don't get thought of and enjoy a little something. Then I get the main teacher a gift card to go with the truffles. For my child in preschool, the room parent organizes a gift, so each family gives $10-20. They pool the money to get the teacher and assistant something from the class.

Like this idea - honestly a card that tells me I'm appreciated and a tiny gift like that means more than something cheap. I also would appreciate some office supplies like cute post its or pens.

[macmars45]

I work with SpEd preschoolers. My favorite gift last year was a homemade ornament with a kids' picture on it. Just a circle with her picture on it with a whole punch and a ribbon through it.

No mugs
No gc for classroom supplies (not a present for me; you're gifting me a present for your kid)
No gross hard candy
No coffee