Gifts for Preschool Teachers

L.,
I have many friends who are teachers, and this very subject came up not that long ago. The consensus was that though they truly appreciate the thought behind gift giving, they get just swamped with stuff at the end of the year (or for birthdays or Christmas or teacher appreciation) and they reluctantly have to get rid of most of it- they just simply don't have the need or space for everything. All of the goodie baskets, perfumes, candles, figurines, scarves and home decor are just too much of a good thing.
What they all said they really like is a gift card to Barnes and Noble or a favorite department store or restaurant. Then they can shop for exactly what they want or need, the gift cards take up virtually no space in their wallets and they don't have to off-load "treasures" that others bestowed on them. What the teacher will treasure much more than any gift you can give them is a tenderly-written thank you note from you, relating to the teacher what they have meant to you and your child and where you could specifically state the things you appreciate the most about them. They will love it!!

I am a preschool teacher and can tell you what not to get her. I have recieved countless candles, lotions, and stuffed animals. If they drink coffee a $5 card would be good. You will not be the only parent doing this so do not feel cheap by only giving a $5 one. They may have many $5 one and they can go and get a full weeks worth of coffee on the numerous cards they recieve. Or a $1 photo ablum filled with pictures of the children or just your child would be good. Even a simple pair of $3 earrings or bracelet for Icing. i hope this helps.

I did something out of the ordinary this Christmas for all of the teachers of my kids (except the one male teacher's aide - he got something else). I checked and saw that all the women teachers had pierced ears and bought them all a pair of earrings with a card handmade by my son. It's small, but it's something they can use over and over and it shows you thought about what might look best with their clothes or personality. Plus, when some stores have sales, you can get really good prices. Some of the pairs I bought were normally $15 dollars and they were 50% off, so it worked out great.

Otherwise, I'd ask around and see if a bunch of families can all put in $5 per teacher and buy a gift card each teacher might like. You'd be surprised how quickly the money adds up.

Hi L.,

Little things mean alot. I gave baskets of gourmet food type goodies (some you can find at a $1 store), or scented candles and some lotion and a few chocolates. Just decorate the basket with a nice linen napkin and some ribbon or rafia - a nice gift comes from the heart as well as a nice card thanking your teachers.
Hope this helps,
Patti b.

Wow - wish I had read the other replies - No More Goody Baskets From ME! LOL!!

Hi L.!

From a mother who give each and every Teacher something for EVERYTHING, I suggest that you always "keep it simple". The Teachers truly appreciate the thoughts :o)

A small plant, a frame, a notebook/message tablet, there are so many cute things out there :o)

N.

That's a lot of teachers. We only had 2 teachers to buy for, but we gave them starbucks giftcards. $5 is enough if you are buying for all the teachers, and they can get a cup of coffee or whatever they prefer.

As a preschool teacher myself, gift cards are always appreciated (although, personally, I would prefer Starbuck's, movie tix, or pedicures over bookstores).
As an alternative, we always love it when a family offers to bring in a nice lunch for us as a thank you.
I don't know if it's logistically feasible in your teachers' situation, but it is great to wake up and not have to plan what to take for lunch!

Hi, L....I'm a preschool teacher. I've gotten gift cards to Starbucks, but since there are so many (unless you do one for all in a lump sum or $5 each) you might want something less expensive. Parents have given flowers, candy (I don't prefer), or snacks. I think the thing I mostly appreciate is a card that has the parents appreciation (a little note to each teacher saying something that particualar teacher did for your child or communicated with you) & the child writes their name with just something tiny on the side (it doesn't matter what it is). I guess tiny could be a candy bar, flower, pen, or even a picture of your child. I'm sure anything you give or write for the teachers will be appreciated.

Starbucks gift cards are always popular.

Starbucks!! Who hoo. But it can be expensive for 7 teachers. How about a coffe cup from the dollar store and fill it with some nice chocolate. You might spend $12 dollars. Blessings.

If it's a big classroom then buy something the classroom can use with a thank you card made by your child. If you want to do individual gifts, have her make something for them. My daughter made cookies in a jar for her teachers and I let her decorate the jars. Get inexpensive glass jar fromthe craft store or save your jars that you get from food and fill them with your favorite cookie recipe. Your only cost is the ingredients and a jar.

L.,
What about some pretty thank you cards? Teachers appreciate these so much because they always get so many end of the year gifts from students and parents that they have many thankyou's to send out. I have always given these as gifts to my kids teachers and they totally love it. You can find some beautiful yet not too pricey stationary out there.

You've had some great ideas. Here's another one. How about something that the teachers can use for their classroom? A book is always great. Or a gift card to the local teacher's store like Lakeshore. Although I'm not a preschool teacher, I've taught in elementary school and I've always ended up spending my own money for the classroom. Having a gift card for a teaching store could mean less out of your child's preschool teachers' pockets. : )

I know this is a little repetitive, but as a former preschool teacher, Starbucks (or what ever coffee shop is closest) gift cards are the best. Our director would hold onto the cards we'd accumulate and on one of those stressful days on of us would go on a coffee run. Good way to get a lot of birds with one stone. $4-5 a piece on one card should cover it.

It's very nice of you. Always feel good to feel appreciated!

L.,
Since there are so many teachers you are trying to include how about a gift card to local craft/dollar store for school supplies for next year. I know this will be appreciated as I am a teacher myself. Have a good one!

Hi L.,
A candle is always a nice gift. I worked at Pier 1 Imports for 6 yrs, and my favorite gift was to unwrap the candle out of the plastic and tie a pretty fabric ribbon around the candle. Then have your child make a card, you could even print something off the printer with their pic. But the candles are under $10 and everyone loves a candle. Pick simple scent, like vanilla or fruit-something. Cost Plus has inexpensive and nice candles.

Good morning L.,

I agree about the gift cards - I was going to suggest Starbuck's, as well. The other thing I thought of - I have friend who works at St Stephens Child Development Center and I know once in a while the girls will treat themselves and have one person run down to Chilis sometimes to pick up an order for everyone. So maybe you can get an "everyone gift" and get like a $50 gift cert to a restuarant that is near the preschool...I think also that it is the thought that counts so maybe if your little one drew a special picture for each teacher and write what her favorite thing is about each teacher on the picture...Good luck!

Dear L.,

Buy a nice book for the pre-school or something that they could use for everyone. Write a open thank you letter to all the teachers.

Definitely something consumable. Tastefully Simple has some great gourmet food products that are really easy to prepare. Go to tastefullysimple.com then find a consultant of your choice.
M. Leslie

We had five teachers to buy for this year so I understand your predicament. I bought inexpensive, small clay flower pots and some flowers and had each of my children decorate their pots with paint. My son put his handprints on the pot and my daughter made flowers with her fingerprints. They signed their pots with a black Sharpie and we wrote a verse from a favorite preschool song around the rim of the pot. The kids planted the flowers in their pots and gave them to their teachers. The teachers loved receiving them.

I'm the daughter and granddaughter of teachers, and they have always said that gift cards are the best. Teachers are underpaid as a profession, and preschool teachers are the most underpaid of the bunch, so gift cards to somewhere you know they go are always appreciated - even a small amount. Something else you could do is get all the parents together and if each family gives $20 (or $40 or whatever they can), you can give a much larger group gift. We did that for my daughter's kindergarten teacher this year - we were able to give each teacher a $400 gift card. We also had the kids sign a card for each teacher. My mother teaches at my daughter's school, and she told me all the other teachers were jealous of the Kindergarten teachers' gift this year!

Hi L. P. ... Have you heard of Silpada sterling silver jewelry? Certainly much better than the mug (I hear from teachers that they dread the hundreds they get) or the impersonal gift card. Anyway, if you're interested, I sell Silpada ... some if it is pricey but they have at least 50 items in the $20-$25 range. Check out www.mysilpada.com/N..lauren

In the past, we have brought in lunch for the teachers. At Christmas, we did it the day of their Christmas performance (which was at night and a long day for the teachers) or have done the last day of summer. We have brought in pizza, subway, etc. Great way to thank a large group of teachers.