As a child I always gave a gift to my Sunday School teacher on Christmas and Easter. I don't know why, but my mom just always had something bought or helped us make a small gift. (We also took Christmas gifts to our bus driver and mailman!)
I am continuing this tradition with my own children, but I'm not very creative, and am running out of ideas. Some examples of what we've done are:
-Plate, dishtowel, and placemat all in a matching snowman print from Kohl's
-Pretty basket from Michael's with silk Gerbera daisies and decorative eggs on sticks stuck into florist's foam with "grass" over top
-Homebaked goodies in a printed Christmas tin from the dollar store
-Painted a clay pot with "You make my faith grow" and flowers, put in a mini rosebush
I have already picked up a snowman basket from Michael's for this year's Christmas gift, but am not sure what to put in it. I'd love to hear some of your stories/ideas.
Baked goods or other consumables are best, in my opinion. You can do a mix where eveything but the liquid is added and it comes with a recipe:
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/foodgift/foodgift.html
A tea cup with a bag of tea, a pretty teaspoon (try Goodwill for some old pretty ones), maybe a biscotti added.
Supplies for the class are a good idea also.
Mini spa set: loofa, soap, lotion, that type of thing
That's all I can think of
You know, as a preschool teacher, one of the sweetest things a child ever gave me was a homemade ornament. It was a little letter block with a jingle bell, a miniature tree and a bow hot-glued together with a loop of ribbon to hang it. I received this nearly 18 years ago, so yes, it's memorable.
You could also have your children make cookies to put in the basket, with some good tea or hot cocoa packets. Warm drinks are a treat, esp. if it's a Ghiradelli chocolate type 'fancy' treat. Holiday craft markets often offer beeswax candles, which look and smell delicious. Or make a little kit with a forcing bulb, glass container and pretty pebbles-- your local nursery likely may have some forcing paperwhites still for sale. I'm sure that whatever your family does, the teacher will appreciate just being remembered. I don't expect gifts from my families, but when one comes along, it's very special and I do feel appreciated myself!
A little candle. Or something baked. Or a little drawing from your child!
I make chocolate boxes and put M&M inside. They are molds and melt down the cocolate check hobby lobby for the supplies. then wrap in nice celophane bags. People rave over them.
Here are a few gift ideas for teachers that might help you out:
http://www.theskinnyscoop.com/question/q/1251?utm_campaig...
Buy her a gift card to Michaels, Joanns, or Target so she can get supplies.
I like to do live plants and or flowers.. at times, when making a basket, I've added the plant/potted flower to the center of the basket and then surrounded it with goodies such as a box of chocolate, nice cookies.. or even a theme basket.. e.g. if they drank coffee, i'd buy good coffee beans, add a nice mug, maybe some tasty cookies to eat with the coffee... perhaps tea if you knew they drank that... for those I know that like to bake, I bought different cookie cutters/mixes and whatever else represented baking and was cute..
lastly, I have a friend who likes black and white movies. for him, I bought one of those cardboard red/white popcorn holders and in it, bought a gift certificate to the theatre where they played such films and then filled up the holder with the ctf and "large movie" candy . In addition, I included the schedule of that month's movies... (this is if you have a small local theatre)
I try to make the gifts personal to some degree..
best of luck
I agree with baked goods, or consumables, a nice bar of soap - something that can be used - is always appreciated. Last year I gave the Sunday school teachers all a gift card for 5 dollars to our local food co-op. Inside the card I wrote, "for a treat, a coffee or something just for you" - I've also done gift cards to our local bakery or coffee shop...this is what I do for school teachers too (though I do give a bit more money on the card).
So nice of you to do this for the Sunday school teachers - I just love all teachers and think they always deserve a little something extra and a huge thank you!!
