What are some holiday gift suggestions for my daughter's pre-school teachers?

For all my kids’ teachers I go with a gift card, usually to a coffee place or Target. I always figure that it doesn’t have to be too much money – especially a coffee place, five bucks will let them get themselves a nice treat. I usually put it with a card that expresses my appreciation. My finances at the time always influences the amount I spend more than the number of days my child is in school.

Both of my sisters are/were teachers, and they dreaded the holiday because they were given gifts that were, um, not anything that they would ever display or use for he most part. One sister communicated with all of the parents that there was no need to go through the gesture, but it didn’t stop them.

Finally, one parent contacted all of the other parents and they chipped in for a gift certificate for a spa treatment. They probably put in whatever amount they wanted and went with that. She loved it. It was something she had never done before and enjoyed the experience.

I encourage you to organize a similar type of gift certificate for both the teacher and their aide. It could be a gift card to a preferred restaurant or store. Trust me…it’s much easier for the teachers to write thank-you notes to students for something that is valued than for a trinket the child picked out at a discount store.

I think that @SuperMouse is on the right track with the gift card suggestion. Getting one to a coffee shop is a great idea. The amount is totally up to you, but in my opinion, yes, it does matter that she only goes part-time. As for the assistant, I believe you’re right. The assistant gets the same amount.

Gift cards are great for teachers, either food, the book store, or amazon.com. If you know the other parents or have a phone list, see about getting other parents to go in on a single gift.

I can tell you what not to give… any sort of ornament or trinket. My wife has worked in elementary schools for almost 20 years and she’s been given have enough junk labeled “Apple for the Teacher” or “World’s Best Teacher” to decorate 2 homes. She feels weird throwing it out, so it’s sitting in boxes in our basement.

She loves to get certificates to book stores, restaurants, or spas. Note: be sure that the teacher is a coffee drinker before giving a GC to a coffee shop.

Gift certificates are great. Most people would like a certificate to their local movie house (make sure it’s enough for her and a guest to see at least one movie). Starbucks is always good, even if they don’t like coffee there are always fancy fru fru drinks, iced tea and cocoa, sandwiches and sweets. Trader Joe’s certificates are always welcome. Bookstore certificates are also great. If you give a certificate, wrap it up with a little candy cane or some other type of edible attached to it. Just to make it more pretty and festive, plus then there’s something to enjoy right away.

I like to bake, so making a good quick bread and wrapping it up in some pretty colored cellophane with a bow is nice. Pumpkin bread and Banana bread are good choices. Fudge, brownies and decorated holiday cookies are always good too.

People are real particular about the scents they like so don’t give candles, bath salts or lotions, unless you know for an absolute fact which scents or brands they would like.

Here’s something that might be good too (which could be used for school or home use) a nice collapsible cooler with a cold thermos and a hot thermos included.

And yes, I would give the same thing, or similarly valued, item to the assistant as well.

As a teacher I am very grateful for whatever gift I recieve, whether it’s a small box of chocs, a bottle of wine, a your my favouritte teacher notepad/nickknack and my fav.. a mug (I have about 4 or 5 now!) I love them all as the children that have given them to me have thought about me and want to thank me!!! TA’s are a VERY valuable source of help for the teacher so just as important in my eyes!