All You Wonderful Gift Givers Help with Gift Idea.

What about a fun scarf? There are so many of those fashion scarves out there - does she wear those?

$20 is a very generous gift. Maybe a gift card to Barnes & Noble...she can use it for classroom books OR one of her liking. I also agree a starbucks or similar card would be nice. Are there any cafes or anything near the school that maybe she frequents for lunch?

I taught kindergarten for years and got many hot chocolates, mugs, candles, etc. I taught in a low income area so gifts were not as common - one year a little girl (who had previously been homeless, but was not when she was in my class) brought me a little, worn ornament...I think it is a puppy or bear. It is missing one of it's sticker eyes and the fuzz is worn off in places. But I still have it and still hang it on my tree each year because I know that child appreciated me enough to share it with me, though her family barely had things for themselves... It also reminds me of how blessed I am and how to be thankful for all I have.

If she is a teacher with a warm heart, she will appreciate anything.

a gift card in any amount. My budget was always $10 and I put it with a mug with hot chocolate mixes or a plate of hoomemade goodies. I would suggest you don't judge as to her clothing. she may have just lost weight and feel really good about herself. that doesn't mean she wouldn't like a home baked goodie.

From my perspective, all the previous suggestions are great. And if you are worried the teacher won't like it, well, guess what? That's on HER! A gift is a gift, and as a preschool teacher myself, I am so appreciative of any little tokens from families... ((except once, when a parent gave me four cans of tuna fish (and no, they were not 'less fortunate') for Christmas. I'm still scratching my head on that one!:) ))

I don't like to give very personal gifts to teachers...I just think a grocery, gas or coffee gift card with a nice holiday card and a sincere thank you for all they do is the way to go. I have a niece that's a teacher and she doesn't "expect" gifts at all, but words of appreciation for her work go a long way! Teachers work SO hard, SO many hours and make such a difference.

Gift card to the movies.
Gift card to a food place close to the school.

You are so sweet to think of the teacher, and be so observant of her personalityl Yes, maybe a Starbucks card would be nice. They have sandwiches, fruit/cheese selections, scones and coffee/coffee alternatives, I'm sure anyone would appreciate. Please remember, it's the spirit in which the gift was given that matters. Even if you have $5, it's $5 more than they had. You have a good heart, VM!

I would suggest not trying to figure out what to get based on her "personality type" because even with your best intentions you may be way off. I'd suggest getting her a gas card, Visa debit card, or gift card to a mall that she can use at any store. (Most stores participate in this at the very large mall by me.) If you know she likes to go to movies, get her 2 passes and attach it to some candy bars. Everyone needs gas and $ to spend at stores so I think the debit card or gas card is your best bet. I am a former 1st and 2nd grade teacher and I would love these. I got mugs, soaps, lotions, jewelry box, stuffed animals (yes, I did... I guess the kids picked out those) and many more items that were thoughtful BUT the most useful ones were the gift cards. Not everyone likes Starbucks so I wouldn't get her one unless you know for sure that she likes coffee, tea, muffins, etc... I'd personally rather have a gas card and make my own coffee instead. (And... yes, teachers usually have enough travel mugs, too. lol) $20 is generous of you and I think a gift card of this amount will really make her smile. Of.. course for the rest of you reading this and can't afford that much, I know it's the thought that counts and even $5 card would show appreciation too.

I just gave the room mom $10 towards my daughter's teacher's gift. The room mom is pooling the money to buy one or two gift cards. I will also be giving her teacher a separate gift card for $10 that will just be from my daughter.

A gift card should be appreciated. $20 from one student is a lot of money. Multiply that by 25, and what's the answer? That's plenty, or even excessive.

And this is the perspective of a high school teacher. Once the kids have six teachers a day, the gifts stop.

can't go wrong with a gift card - Barnes & Noble, movie theater, panera bread, starbucks. I started giving teachers white chocolate tic tac toe (pretzels, m&ms, crispix cereal, cheerios, pecans or nuts all mixed together with white chocolate - hope I didn't miss an ingredient ) and a movie gift card ($10). They all seemed to love it. I think teachers get alot of stuff - ornaments, etc and I think they need things that can be used up. For the end of the year I either gave B&N or Panera bread if they were old enough to be on a team of teachers and then they could all go out to lunch together. Seemed to go over well. You can eat at Panera for $10 which is why I picked that restaurant. I never give teachers lotions, etc - I personally can't handle most of the scents so I think giving someone something with perfume in it is very risky. I feel the same way about candles. The scents are a very personal preference.

Why not go to Scholastic and get her a bunch of classroom books or see if there is a book she reads to the class each year and get that for her in hardcover?

if she carries herself well then get her a gift certificate to a spa. get her the amount that would at least get her a pedi/mani. nothing wrong with any age woman taking care of herself.

What about a movie gift card?

Starbucks card, or perhaps some cool, "in" coffee place?

You say she's not maternal and nurturing, but is she a good teacher in a different way? If yes, maybe that's the key to figuring out what she might like.

I really think a gift card is best. That's what most teachers seem happiest with. Maybe you can find a store that sells stuff in her style. I'm getting my son's teachers g.c.'s to Barnes & Noble this year. Amazon or iTunes can also be great.

K.
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Are you saying the typical teacher LIKES apple themed stuff? Because all my teacher friends fit the typica' mold of elementary teacher and they really dislike apple/teacher themed gifts, but accept them with a smile anyways.

They tell me they got TONS of starbucks gift cards and lotions/candles.. so I wouldn't give those to other teachers either.

How about for her, a really classy Christmas ornament or something? They sell some really high end looking, classy ones at Hobby Lobby. Maybe one with zebra stripes and white fur trim or something. I only suggest this, b/c an ornament is not a typical knick-knack, it can be put away for the majority of the year. It is really sweet you are thinking of her personal tastes, not many people do that!

So - I LOVE my Disney Family Fun magazine and this idea came from it. I can't wait for my little girl to be in school so I can start using some of their ideas. How about this card, plus $15 to a tea store or cofee shop? http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/a-spot-of-tea-card-1007634/

I agree. with the poster below. Does she get her nails done? Certainly a GC for a manicure or pedi would be great. About $25 for each. Get her one or the other. Does she wear jewelry? A nice bangel from Kohls or TJ Max would be great too :)