Christmas Gift for Teachers

I agree that teachers receive too many sweets, so I found this website that you can make soup mix in a jar. It is very attractive, especially if you cut a square cloth (about 8X8 inches) cover the lid, and tie it with ribbon. It is a great way to make multiple gifts and is very inexpensive. Usually it ends up costing about 6 dollars a jar. Another bonus is it is fun for the kids to help out with, and it teaches them about measurements. Here is a link to a website that has a variety of recipes.

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgiftsoup/giftsoup.html

Hi,
I was a teacher before having my foirst daughter. I ALWAYS recieved "stuff" with best teacher on it. That got a bit old afrer a while though. Now that I am on the giving end I do not give them anything with "teacher" in it. Last year I made jar cookies ( cookie mix made pretty in a canning jar), this year I am giving them a coffee cup ( not Christmas) filled with MM's and a more expensive Choclate (ghiaradelli) on top. I plan to put a big fancy bow on top and put it in a gift bag. As for who to buy for, I would do the primary care givers. Good luck!

I would only do primary teachers. You will be doing this for every year in school to come! :) Those teachers have their own class and will get things from them I am sure.

Try gift cards, say if you know they like Starbucks, then one from there, or Bath and Body or even one to a restaurant.
I know from experience most teachers get sick of all the little things, like frames, coffee mugs and so forth. Something like a Blockbuster movie card, AMC movie gift certificate or go in with some other moms to a nice place to eat is a lot more appreciated! :)

My mom was in education for 30 years. If you're going to do a food gift, make sure it is something that does not have to be consumed w/in a week or so - teachers are overwhelmed w/goodies - many of which spoil before the teachers and their families can get to them. (can your family eat 10 packagees of brownies and cookies in a week?)
We always try to do something thoughtful that the kids have made. In preschool, that has included "poems" where the kids answered questions like how old is my teacher, how tall, favorite thing, etc - the answers can be pretty funny and then the kids decorated the print out of their poem. We did bookmarks one year that the kids decorated. This year we're doing journals (white canvas covers from Oriental Trading) that the kids painted. I always add something as well - the last couple years it's been homemade jam and a heartfelt thank you note.
I'd also do only the primary caregivers.

I think that it is very thoughtful of you for even thinking about gift giving for the holidays. It is hard enough......then to include the teachers. Here are some ideas i have done for my kids teachers now. Candles,can orginizer(homemade),goodie sack w/hand cream,lip balm, candies. You could even throw a gift card in it.

It sounds like you need a big gift basket and fill it with a variety of cookies and candies,mini hand creams and lip balms.mini candles that they could choose from of what ever you think that they might appreciate . I am an at home day care provider and for the have never recieved a christmas present from the family . Not like i would want anything extravagant but it is the little things that make you feel appreciated. So you have the right idea but there is no need for you to purchase an item for each teacher. I think that a basket of things to share are wonderful and a card that tells them how you feel. Iwould say that the whole basket should only run no more than $20-$25 for the whole thing. Well that is my suggestion and i hope it helps.

Just don't give them ornaments or anything that says 'World's Greatest Teacher'!!! ;^) I used to work at Parent's Day Out, trust me on that one! I would definitely give all five something, although you can get the regular teachers a bit more. I had an aid that worked with me, and most of the parents gave us each something. But one year, a mom left one gift on the counter and did not put a name on it. It was probably for me as the head teacher, but it was awkward and I think my aid felt a little bad not to be shown the same appreciation, as she also worked very hard. It was not something easily shared, or I would have done that. Anyway, I always appreciated gift cards to just about anywhere. Also, because you have to wash your hands so often in that environment, I was really happy when one time a mom gave me some nice, quality hand cream. I kept it in the classromm and made good use of it the rest of the school year.