Gift Idea for Both Teacher and Bus Driver

buy a gift car for the teacher to a spa. For the driver of the bus being a man buy him a gift card from home depot or make him a bird house or something manly. Like a wood car or something maybe by him a model of something he likes like cars, birds, plans, trains etc.

As the wife of a teacher, I would second the posts that said "gift card"! Anywhere is really fine, even if a small amount. My hubbie particularly loves Barnes and Noble ones. He practically lives there in the summer!!
-J.

Hello C.,

Actually my son told me he wanted to give his teacher a Starbucks gift card and the teacher loved it.

I watched an interesting program about gift-giving once where they got two classes to do gifts for their teachers, one 'however they felt like' and the other according to a list of gift-giving guidelines. The teacher was much happier with the gift from the guidelines, because it was so much more personal and more meaningful.

I don't remember all of the guidelines, but I do know it started with a list of what you know about the person: what colours she tends to wear, what kind of car she drives, what books she is drawn to, what is important to her, what she's particularly good at, food preferences... etc.

The list is really important, and the more you can add to it the better, even weird quirky things are important.

The next part was about what you particularly appreciate or like about the person, because what they like is only half of a gift -- to be meaningful, really, it needs to obviously and visibly be 'from you.' Not, 'anyone who knew me could have given me this.' For that reason, it also needs to be a gift that you can uniquely add to: some personal talent or skill or knowledge that others wouldn't bring to this gift for this person.

Here's one I did for my sister, who lives a long way from our hometown: a set of three images of our old house, from a photo of what it looked like when we lived there -- a line drawing, an acrylic abstract painting and a watercolour painting. I know she was attached to that house (unlike me and my brother, we lived there when she was born and it's the house she moved out on her own from)... and she knows I'm an artist. My mom made her a scrapbook of photos of her from her childhood, including stories and songs and memorabilia from our lives -- so she could have a part of her past with her in her new home. My mom knew photos and memories are important to my sister, and my mom is a big paper crafter -- I couldn't have done it, I don't have the stuff or the techniques to do it.

So... someone who knows a teacher is into international cuisine could give a gift certificate to a funky, new ethnic restaurant that they know about because they know some of the staff, or live close to it, or did an article about the owner. Or, same teacher, same interest: an avid cook could give a 'meal kit' of all the exotic spices and unusual (unperishable) ingredients needed for a personal favourite recipe. A cookbook author could name a recipe after the teacher, include a dedication in the notes about the recipe, and give the teacher a framed copy of the page proof.

It really is about getting as personal as possible -- from both sides.

Not sure how much you want to spend but how about a gift card to Border's or Barnes and Noble so she can pick out some summer reading for pleasure instead of work. Or maybe a certicate for a free pedicure to pamper herself. For the bus driver - maybe a nice portable stainless steel coffee cup or thermos? Good luck.

Find the poem about the man who found a bunch of starfish on the beach (made a difference to that one!) and print it onto a bookmark, have your daughter write, "thank you for making a difference in me" or something like that on the back of it and sign it, and have it laminated with a pretty ribbon through a hole at the top.

You can find necklaces or bracelets or earrings w/ starfish charms dangling from them, too. Check Kohl's or JC Penney.

Hi C.,
I would suggest something from Tastefully Simple or Two Sisters Gourmet. Check out the really great food products on line. You can get a couple items and put in a nice basket with note paper or stationary.
Good luck
Cindy
P>S> check out restaurant.com you can get $25 gift certificates from local restaurants for $2. type in the zip code where the teacher and bus driver live and check them out.

Gift certificates to a teacher's store or book store are appreciated. For the bus driver, perhaps a gif certificate to a common restaurant, ie. Red Robin, Applebees, Chilli, etc.

being a teacher my self liked it when moms made something personal exspecially if the child help (photo frame with a class picture or your chids picture) however i think the best gifts are something for her class room(books games educational supplies stickers etc ) or a gift certificate to a local teachers store(lakeshore learing is on hall road near van dyke or gizmos on van dyke near 10or nine mile)
for the bus driver a insulated cup, local resturant certificate homemade cookies or brownies

Our teachers have always asked for books for their classrooms. Something dedicated to her by your daughter would be awesome. Bus drivers enjoy baked goodies.

Have fun!

S.

You could always do a cute sign, like Mrs. ____ Room. There are alot of places that sell the personalized wood signs.

A gift card is great. Teacher get a ton of sweets and coffee cups this time of year. Starbucks to go in one of the cups, or a bookstore gift card.

Or even a freezer meal or 2 really helps out. Have your child make a card of thanks, and maybe a "dinner is on me' card to go on the meal, with the instructions.

I would go with a gift card for the bus driver too.

Maybe flowers or a nice planter delivered to the school???

C.,

I have to say a heartfelt note expressing your feelings about the teacher or the bus driver, what they did that was so meaningful to you and how it affected you.

It's something that they can save and maybe re-read when they are feeling discouraged, perhaps include a photograph of your child and then I would include cash and specify that it would please you very much if they would spend it on themselves, and for something that they normally would not do or buy for themselves. That way they get the fun of thinking about what they should do and the enjoyment of actually doing or buying it.

I had a teacher do that for me this year for helping and then I had to go tell her what I did with it and I had a ball. Then I got to relive the experience when I told her about it and she was very tickled to hear what I did.

Hi C.,

As a former Bus Driver (for 14 yrs) let me fist say Thank You for thinking of your daughter's driver! I know it will be greatly appreciated by him. I appreciated any gift from my kids, whatever it was it meant the world to me - still have them all (of course not the ones that were edible!LOL)and everytime I look at them I think of that child and their family.

I know that the male drivers always seemed to like the gift cards - so that they could get something that they wanted ( I think the males would be harder to buy for!) Unless you know like if he wears baseball hats (maybe a fav sports team?)

Just know that whatever your daughter gives him it will be greatly appreciated and treasured!

Hope this helps

Have a great day!

T.
work from home, daily pay,PT/FT,benefits
http://www.freedomathometeam.com/trossilli

As a teacher (with a father-in-law who is a bus driver), gift cards are always appreciated. It doesn't matter how much because every little bit helps. This year, for my daughter's teachers, we did gift cards to AMC so her teachers could enjoy some time away from school. Restaurants, Blockbuster and Target are always good, too.

I live in Plymouth and the Chamber of Commerce sells gift certificates that are accepted in a number of shops and restaurants in Plymouth. I like to give these because it gives the recipient more options than a gift card to a specific store or restaurant. Maybe one of the communities near you has something similar. Also, a lot of malls have mall gift cards that are usually accepted at most stores in the mall. That also offers more options to the recipient.

For my daughter's teacher last year, we took up a collection from the whole class and got her a Plymouth gift certificate, a movie gift card, and put money in an envelope to pay for her babysitter so she could have an evening out with her husband.

I have a friend who is a teacher and here's what she says...No lotions or candles! Everyone gets them that! No Teacher decorations! Yuck and they've already gotten them all! No coffee cups! They already have 100 that say #1 Teacher! Best gifts are movie passes, gift certificates to places like Target or Kohl's or non-fancy restaurants that are local. We tend to do movie passes. They love that.

Teachers love gift cards!!!

I just got the recent issue of Family FUn magazine and they had a couple of cute ideas for teachers in there. You could probably go on-line and check. Also, my sister and myself were both teachers. My sister loved gift cards to teacher stores so that she didn't have to spend more of her money on classroom supplies. Target is also a safe bet! Good luck!

I think the most important thing is a heartfelt note -- and NOT "Thanks for all you do!" Give specific examples of how their actions have made an impact on you and your child and how they have helped make a great school year. Quote your daughter on some nice or funny things she says about them or what she looks forward to when she sees them. That goes a long way!

As far as a gift, I have two options for the teacher. I gave my daughter's preschool teacher a book for the classroom that she can use next year. I sell Barefoot Books (an independent children's book publisher) and there are fantastic titles with beautiful illustrations -- MANY of which are PERFECT for a 1st grade classroom! I think the teacher appreciated it! You can check out my website: www.mybarefootbooks.com/LoriHachenski I would recommend a book like "The Gigantic Turnip" or "Parrot Tico Tango" but feel free to look through and let me know what you think -- I'd be happy to provide other suggestions.

Another idea is personalized notecards. I love them!! A girlfriend of mine (who is also here on Mamasource) owns www.paperquips.net -- check out her site! She has made some beautiful notecards for me with my initials on them. I think those are always a lovely thoughtful gift for someone.

Good luck!!

L.

I know my daughter's teachers have always really appreciated gift cards. I think it's especially a good idea for the bus driver. Even just a gift card to somewhere like Target. That way, they can get something "fun" or a necessity (if, perhaps, their family is currently struggling for money - which many people are today, sadly). Even if it's just a $5-10 gift card, I'm sure they'd be thankful.

My mother was a teacher for 30 years, and she always said it was the gifts that the children made themselves that were the most meaningful for her. Maybe you could have your daughter make the teacher and bus driver a special card complete with a lovely picture.

I know that my daughter's teacher buys alot for the class room out of her own pocket. A gift certificate to a teacher's store is always helpful. (try LakeshoreLearning.com for locations,etc.)

Another idea I just found is in Family Fun Magazine. They are choclate truffles that kids can help make. I think I'm going to have my daugther make some for her bus drivers and teacher.

Hope this helps!

You could get them both something from Tastefully Simple. I happen to be a consultant who sells those products. We have something for everyone. Check out our catalog: www.tastefullysimple.com. Then, when you decide what you would like, let me know: ____@____.com. Orders get shipped right to you!

Gift cards are always good. I wouldn't go over $10 for the driver or over $15 for the teacher, with a heartfelt note, perhaps written/dictated by your daughter. Those cards where you can record your own message would be perfect!

Bus Driver gift, G.Certificate, local restarant, any amount, sunglasses store, Home Depo, Teacher, local salon, or spa, listed on Mama Sourse, & give discounts to all members, local florist,and or, have your daughter make a gift for her Teacher, you will need jar w/lid, olive oil,granulated sugar, popsicile stick, ribbin, 1/4C sugar to 1/2C oil, pour in jar, place stick on side w/ribbin, this is a one min. mirracle, useing stick to mix place nickle size amount in palm of hand, mock washing hands for one min. rince, this exfoliates hands and just feels good. Try it, good for feet as well, but be careful not to get the tub slippery, anything to these people would be a gift, they do their job, and appreiacate the kids.