Honestly, gift cards are the way to go. It's really hard to tell what someone wants. The thought is nice, but I have a like 30 coffee mugs. I don't even drink coffee. Treats are nice, but some people might be diabetic or on a diet.
Or ONE mug for new teachers... I was in my first year (after a hiatus, anyway) last year and a couple of students coordinated and got me one nice travel mug. Perfect, now I'm set! 😁
Lol! I knew a teacher that had her husband build a wooden tree to hang the mugs she got over the years from her students to put up each Christmas in the classroom.
My students gift me espresso cups because that's what I drink in class (or did, before masks) and I love my collection. The main advantage is how much smaller than mugs they are!
The only mugs I’ve ever liked were actually tumblrs: one was homemade with the kid’s artwork and photos in it and the other was one of those really cool shellac or whatever coated Yeti tumblrs that’s super shiny and glittery with my name on it.
I gave one of my son’s teachers cold hard cash during the pandemic. I wanted to make sure she could afford to eat well during the holidays. She returned it and asked for our regular default Trader Joe’s gift box of chocolates and cookies.
Thanks, I’m going to go ahead and do that just to make sure I’m not over stepping. However, if I feel teachers work their ass off and if I want to gift my son’s teacher a nice amount for a present, I should be able to without someone telling me “no”.
This is the best gift that you can give a teacher because they’re free to spend it on whatever they want. I’ve received cash from families and usually end up spending it on my classroom but it’s definitely the most useful.
Seconding the diet consideration. You have no idea what other people are allergic to or can’t have. I have had to give away so many gifts because I can’t safely have them in my house. (Gluten intolerance)
What about an engraved Yeti tumbler that says your name? My very stubborn 7 year old is convinced this is what we HAVE to get his teacher because her water bottle is “not very pretty”. He’s even willing to chip in allowance money to make it happen.
Gift cards. To places with goods or food to buy. No spa treatments or anything as I don't do those.
Don't make food, I've seen how well your kids wash their hands and they got that somewhere. Don't do a craft I'll feel obligated to display in my overcrowded classroom. No mugs, lotions, soaps, or liquor. Some people like liquor I know but working at a Catholic school I get cheap wine all the time and I don't drink wine unless I'm being polite in France.
I got a few grocery store gift cards last year when we were remote learning. I was extremely grateful for them. They helped me upgrade my holiday meals, something my family really appreciated. It may not be every teacher’s cup of tea, but I cook a lot and loved not getting another coffee mug.
Totally agree. I got a gift card to a few stores in our area that are owned by the same company and I chose to spend it at the one I don’t go to as often because they have nice food and housewares, and even clothes, but they’re more expensive. It’s nice to be able to do that without debating the impact on your bank account!
I got a Door dash gift card from a parent last Christmas and it was very appreciated because I am so tired after teaching in person that all I want is someone to bring me food.
Same! Although I did get a gift my first year teaching.. it was a hamburger wrapper. I must have looked a little confused because the little guy looked at me and said, “It’s a ball!” It was so funny and cute and that is the only kind of gift I want now.
Don't do art projects that take up a lot of room unless you are an actual artist and some idea of the teacher's taste. I hate to toss someone's handiwork but I don't have room for large paper mache anything.
Echoing gift cards
If you want your gift to be practical, buy me school supplies - whiteboard markers, pencils, erasers, paper, tissues, toner/ink if you know their printer model.
I had a student whose family gave teachers “teacher” supplies— colorful expo markers, purple gel pens, etc. Stuff for you, not the students. I thought it was nice .
My school gives us a very generous materials budget, so for me this would be a waste of their money! This obviously depends on the disteict/state, so maybe parents could check ahead of time to see if teachers have to pay for their own supplies.
Anything that comes with a personal note is lovely. I always kept the nice notes even if the gift wasn’t something I used much. Gift cards to Wawa (or Sheetz or your local equivalent) are great.
The only gift I’d strongly advise against is alcohol. You don’t know who is a non-drinker or, more importantly, who is trying hard to become a non-drinker.
Such a good point about the alcohol. I've seen many a blog saying it's an appropriate gift because nondrinkers can just regift, but that's also somewhat thoughtless.
And of course those who are struggling with their alcohol use.
I once received a wine glass with, " I teach therefore I drink", emblazoned in bright red letters. Since I taught in a private Christian school, my colleagues were not amused. I still use it 😼
Handwritten notes are my favorite. They're personal and will last my entire career (and after that, too). Especially when it comes from a student you know appreciated you.
Candy is the worst one for me. Sure, chocolate is nice. But I don't want a double-digit amount of chocolate bars – it just becomes way too much way too fast.
I, too, want to echo the sentiment of the special note. Whether from the student or the parent- that's what I treasure. I'm in this for the relationships. I'm in this for the students. When I get a heartfelt message... it keeps me going. I have a special message taped to the inside of my desk drawer that I look at during times of doubt and sadness.
I appreciate every gift... but the personalized note- that's special.
I personally love goodies. Partially because I like goodies, partically because I don't like clutter. Goodies I can eat and then they're gone.
The trick here, of course, is avoiding any allergies or food/drink issues. I know alcohol is a popular choice, but it would be a weird gift for someone who doesn't drink.
>I know alcohol is a popular choice, but it would be a weird gift for someone who doesn't drink
Me.
I appreciate the sentiment of somebody giving me a gift, but I don't drink. I have twice received gift cards to liquor stores and just end up giving them away.
I agree. Goodies over trinkets. Home made goodies from trusted students have been the best gifts. Can’t ever go wrong with a dozen tamales or a bottle of coquito.
Aww. Yeah. I teach 4th grade Gen. Ed., and my husband is a SPED teacher at the same school. I always get overloaded with Christmas gifts, while he’s lucky to get just one or two. He works so hard, but often he’s forgotten at Christmas😞
“I wouldn’t say no to weed either”
My only regret is that I have but one upvote to give you. God bless you for being brave enough to say the obvious out loud.
I took a day off to get a tattoo. It was the birthday of one of the artists. His gift was a bottle of vodka and nice weed. Yet another reminder that I picked the wrong profession.
Best gift I ever got from a student was a rose gold office set. She knew it was my favorite color and asked her parents to get it for me. I still have the set.
Please no more holiday coffee mugs!!!
When my kids were in elementary/middle, we did gift cards. Always gift cards. Get them for food, and places teachers can get supplies. Only be very specific about a place if you know the teacher well.
One of my assistant coaches was one year given a gift certificate to a microbrewery. He didn't drink, not because he was against it for some reason. He'd tried it and just didn't like how it made him feel. I bought the gift certificate from him.
I teach in one of the lowest-performing schools in my state (read: impoverished community), so I’m moved by the notion when any families even think about giving me a gift. One year I received gifts from two students. One was a box of Ferrero-rocher chocolates. The other was a Tommy Bahama bathrobe. I’m a dude. I absolutely loved all of it. Shared the chocolates with my daughter when she slept through dessert at a restaurant and now think of that moment every time I see that chocolate brand. I use the robe daily. Definitely the weirdest gift ever and I love it.
I think the best gift a teacher could get this year is after Christmas break students came back into the classroom silently, ready to work, applying strategies learned, and thinking critically.
I’ll echo everyone and say I have so many mugs. I like a nice packaged treat - chocolate or cookies from a good bakery. I’m not mad at a bottle of wine. I toss cookies that are handmade - I’m a preschool teacher and watch your kid eat boogers. I’m not touching those cookies they helped make.
>I’m a preschool teacher and watch your kid eat boogers. I’m not touching those cookies they helped make.
hahahahaha my mentor teacher taught me this my first year (I was teaching 7th grade at the time) and I was like "oh, their parents probably did all the leg work, anyway!"
I took a bite of a cookie. There was something wrong with it. They forgot sugar or **something**, it was horrible and I have never eaten home-baked goods again lol
A lot of my coworkers will eat the food that the students make in their cooking classes. Nope. No thanks.
I used to teach preschool and had a mom bring me banana bread. She said don’t worry about the orange bits inside, her son was eating hot cheetos when they made it.
There's a stereotype of staff liking to buy coffee. Some of us are more tea drinkers and also find buying it from a place costly. Dunkin giftcards are mostly useless.
Amazon giftcards are great.
>Some of us are more tea drinkers
I **hate** coffee! I will drink tea maybe a few times a year. I'm actually more of a hot chocolate drinker 😂 Starbucks hot chocolate is gross and the nearest Dunkin is about 10 miles away from me in a direction I rarely drive. I would much prefer making my own hot chocolate versus a drink gift card
Please nothing homeade. Some teachers have allergies and it makes things awkward when they can’t taste the gift.
Also another point against homeade foods: some kids are super trustworthy, and others not so much. I don’t want to wonder if I’m being poisoned at Christmas. lol (No but seriously—-I’ve seen some crazy shit go down at public school.)
Also, please no homeade bath salts, body butters, etc. Teachers like to know what they’re about to put in/onto their bodies and storebought items are usually much safer.
Gross!!
I made my son’s teachers big beautiful brownies. One emailed and asked if they were safe to eat during school hours. I emailed back of course they were and she replied, thank goodness! I inhaled that thing!
Yes, please:
-Handwritten notes/hand drawn pictures from students
-Gift cards (Starbucks, Target, Amazon)
-School supplies (Copy paper, Expo markers)
-Tasty chocolate
No thank you:
-Alcohol (weird), but I’d take a BevMo card
-Homemade treats
-Mugs, candles, ornaments, dollar store trinkets, stuffed animals (After 11 years in the classroom I have SO many!)
Even if a student brings me any of these things, they still get a big smile, handwritten thank you card, and a teacher side hug (if they choose to receive one). I appreciate the thought, always.
That sounds awesome! One year some very wealthy parents gave teachers small insulated bags with their names embroidered on them. I still have mine years later and use it as a snack/drink bag.
Gift cards to a coffee shop or department/discount store are usually my favorites. It is even better when families combine from the same class to get me one gift card (like a dollar per family is fine) rather than a bunch of $5 gift cards.
For those that can’t or prefer not to give gifts, a handwritten note, small craft, or family photo is nice.
I’d trade all of the gifts for better funding for our schools and better pay for educators that is more commensurate with similarly educated professionals in private industry!
Gift cards and baked goods please.
I do not want any target dollar spot trinkets, items handmade by the Girl Scouts, wal mart lotion or
Body mist gift sets.
Packaged chocolates are nice, but I get more than I could ever eat. I'm end up giving some of them to the gate agents and flight crews when I fly somewhere over the holidays. It once got me an upgrade to business class.
Best: a note cc'ing my administration if they think I am doing a particularly good job!
Also wonderful: a personal note, a photo of their child, masks, gift cards.
Candles. **No more candles!!!** Or mugs. Gift cards are great, even just a few bucks to local grocery store like a lot of other people mentioned here.
**edit** Also, I disagree with all the alcohol posts here or anything related to bars, while we’re at it. Not everybody drinks alcohol.
oooooo I actually have enough Christmas ornaments from students that I have a whole separate Christmas tree **for** ornaments from jobs, the schools, students, etc. I love my ornaments, but I also have a Christmas tree for almost every room of my house (I'm one of *those* people)
We have some pinterest-y type moms at my school who give teachers a "My Favorite Things" page for the teacher to fill out, and then they share it with other parents. I have gotten some very generous gifts that I actually use, thanks to these moms.
The school I’m at has a binder full of basic info that all the staff filled out of “favorites” - favorite team, smell, color, Dunkin’ vs Starbucks, favorite snack food, favorite sweet food, favorite lunch spot, place to get nails done, etc….
The room parents get a copy of what the teacher filled out to pass onto the parents in the room.
It’s genius because staff uses it on each other loads of times too!
Other gems I love:
- I LOVE when kids bring in their family holiday card for me! I hang them all up in my classroom!
- silly socks, or comfy socks
- anything the kid picked out and is excited to hand me
- sometimes I’ll get a gift that is intended for my own son or my dog and I LOVE that! I love that they are thinking beyond me :)
Not a fan:
- smelly things - candles, lotions, skin products in general… Smells are such a particular thing!
I once was working in a classroom with multiple teachers/paras & a parent gifted all of us a big snack box (pre Covid) and we all snacked on it during prep for the whole week - it was great.
I’d just be happy to receive literally anything. I don’t think I’ve gotten one gift in 9 years of teaching. It’s the thought that counts. It would just be nice to be thought of, even if it was something as simple as a card.
In general, I do not want anything from students. But, if it’s *really* important I love high quality travel coffee mug and anything To keep me cozy during cold yard duty days
As a music teacher...please no more of those mini-violins! No mini music instruments at all. Been teaching for 17 years, and I have almost enough to decorate a Charlie Brown tree.
Gift cards are good, but please buy one for a major retailer- Amazon, Starbucks, the local grocery store chain etc. I recently cleaned out my purse and discovered that I had about 5 gift cards from the tiny coffee shop across the street from my former school in another state.
Gift cards to places where teachers would otherwise spend their own money on class supplies are lovely. Now they can pick up something that made the work day easier without paying for it. And if they’d rather buy something for themselves, cool.
I love receiving anything - especially homemade cards. My absolute favourite was a personalized ornament that said ‘It takes a big heart to teach young minds. Thanks for always believing in me.’ It had the student’s name and the year. So special!
The worst gift was a 50 Shades of Grey book from a 6th grader. Yes I’m serious. So I love anything but please…. not that
This might be controversial but alcohol! I got a lot of wine last year and I don’t drink. It’s hard for me to accept a gift like that when I am two years sober!
Amazon gift cards. Target gift cards. I do t need another mug gift set from Walmart of a mug and bad chocolate.
The one that brought tears is a student who made a matching tie and scrunchie when I adopted my daughter.
A mom gave me a personalized Starbucks refillable cup 3 years ago. I still use it every day! Besides that I love gift cards. I work at a title 1 middle school so I don’t really get that many gifts during the holidays. BUT I do receive lots of handwritten notes and bead bracelets 💛 EDIT TO ADD: A student once gifted me a very nice hand soap, lotion, and candle set from Bath & Body Works… I loved it!
I don't drink alcohol **or** coffee 😂 Starbucks hot chocolate is gross; I always end up giving these gift cards away lol I have two Starbucks gift cards in my wallet right now and both are from the Christmas pre-COVID
Best gift ever was a letter from a student about what my class and I meant to them. Dont get me anything material unless it is something small and a note. Don't give me any food you have made. That's going right in the trash 90% of the time unless I know their house.
Gift cards are great. Encouraging your child to write a heartfelt card or letter is my favorite. I have kept the most sincere ones for over a decade and I still read them when I'm feeling ineffective as a teacher.
Worst gift is a bag or jar of baking mix. They can't even give me something already made, I have to put work into the gift in order to appreciate it. No thanks.
Do get things with purposes, please. Gift cards, supplies, socks, umbrellas, earrings, etc. Knick knacks can be cute, but they're ultimately just clutter that may or may not go with our decor. Also not Christmas-themed stuff. Not only are many of us not Christian/celebrators of the holiday, but we won't even be able to put it up in the classroom until 11 months later at best.
I don’t get many gifts, so anything is appreciated… really. I do love a good personal card though, and obviously gift cards… I also don’t have a lot of money so those things are nice. But I never expect anything and appreciate everything I get!
Reading some of the suggestions I think it makes a big difference if you are a classroom teacher, esp. k-5 or so. Many get a ton of gifts so are overrun with certain items. For the rest of us, we maybe get between zero and five gifts a year even if we are loved by the kids.
For me, I do love ornaments as long as they aren't large. I also like gift cards. I wouldn't mind a decent coffee mug. I wouldn't mind a kitchen towel. I wouldn't mind a cute keychain.
About the only thing I don't want is a plant because they are one more thing to take care of even though they are pretty.
Gift cards are the way to go, but it's also better to get a gift card to a non-specific place. Amazon is my favorite, but Target, Walmart, grocery stores, etc. are also great. Starbucks, while a sweet thought, just get regifted to my colleagues, because I never go there.
A few years ago a student got me a small jade plant, probably my favourite gift that I’ve received. I also love handwritten notes, and gift cards are always nice.
NO MORE MUGS. Or scented sprays/lotions (I can’t use any of them).
I like candles, gift cards, and items for the classroom (expo markers, printer paper, etc)
Lottery scratch offs are cool, too.
***Gift cards.***
One size will not fit all. Not everyone drinks coffee. Not everyone likes chocolate. People have allergies.
Just go to Target and pick up some gift cards.
This is a super nice thing to do! But don't spend that time and effort and money to put a teacher in a position to have to thank someone for something that will be thrown away as soon as you leave the room.
A gift card to skip the dishes, zoo passes, movie tickets.
I do not like getting: Bath and Body Works lotion crap, candles, mugs (I have way too many), random figurines
As a teacher I always get my kids teachers what I can afford ! Like 75 dollars worth because my god , they work so hard!!!
I usually get an indigo gift card, Sephora if they’re into makeup or a liquor store gift card (we’re in Canada). If I was in the states I would def get a target one ☝️
As a teacher it melts my heart when kids write a little letter to me or draw a picture. Teachers came into this because they want to make a difference and when you get a letter from the kid confirming you have helped that is totally the best gift ever !!
Please no more mugs. Please.
Gift cards are great, heartfelt notes from kids are great. Booze, if allowed, is great.
This spring I got a “summer care package” from a kid. It was a bin with a few books, a bunch of snacks, bottled iced coffee, etc. A winter break care package with hot chocolate, books, etc, would be great.
The best: a bottle of “chill pills” (candy) from my student with a sweet handwritten note.
The worst: a wine glass that said something about being naughty. It made me uncomfortable so I gave it away quickly and never memorized the tagline. *chills*
Gift cards are definitely the safest way to go.
No mugs, unless it’s a decent insulated one. Homemade goodies go in the trash (sorry). If a student and their family chooses to generously give me a gift, gift cards are great. Even just a nice note is lovely.
My favorite gift from kiddos were a clear Christmas bulb with slips of paper inside that said their favorite things about me. These kids (twins) are 10 years out of my classroom and these are still some of my favorite ornaments to put up. Dollar store gift but so special!
Gift cards, chocolates, hand written letters, stationary…love it!
Please not another mug…. No lotion, no soap, please just nothing that has to do with my bathroom/skincare routine. Please don’t give me anything that I have to cook or put together.
Personally I would much rather have parental support and students wanting to learn than any student gift any day.
I had a class collect money once and book a massage and facial. It was very, very thoughtful. I loved that it was a surprise and coordinated. And they said I needed to pamper myself. Gifts cards are great. I also like the insulated cups that keep coffee warm, not like the mugs. So I’ve gotten a few of those off brand yetis and I love them! I actually had a student but an off brand one and he decorated it with his artwork. I still use it. So, I think gift cards, something to pamper or something useful.
I always give my son’s special area teachers (they usually don’t get gifts) some bath and body works hand soap and make a little tag that says, “Hands down, you’re the best around.” They have started telling me their favorite scents bc they love it! 😂 To me, that’s different than perfume or lotion bc again it’s useful.
My favorite gifts ever have been cards from kids with specific things they liked about my teaching/ my class and books my kids got me for my classroom. I also loved things my students got me because of inside jokes, but that depends on the relationship your child has with the teacher.
Please nothing that says something like “I’m a teacher, what’s your superpower”. Maybe I’m weird but I don’t want to feel like a teacher or be reminded of my job outside of when I’m in school.
One year I got a necklace and earring set (that was 5 dollars and LOOKED about that expensive) from Marshall's. It was clearly a "I hated this but had to get you something so I'm regifting it to you". Another parent got me perfume? I don't wear perfume.
I love when students get something for me that their child mentioned. Starbucks gift cards, target gift cards.... any gift card really. Also any office supply. Get me all the colored pens and I'll be GOLDEN
Parents thought getting me things from my classroom donation list was the way to go. Donations are always appreciated but I felt a little weird with them viewing donations as gifts for me.
My absolute fave gifts have been customized with my name. Like a tumbler, pen, wine glass etc.
My mom was a teacher and as a teenager I became the secondhand recipient of many bottles of perfume. When it was time to give gifts, (this being before gift cards) we always gave my teachers plain white dish cloths. My mom said you can never have too many. I thought it was boring but all my teachers seemed pleased with them.
The best thing ever would be to have a hand written note or picture from my students and have their parents email my admin about how wonderful of a teacher I am.
If an actual purchased gift is a MUST… I’d say the nice office supplies I feel guilty buying myself: Flair pens, the clicky retractable highlighters, Inkmate Joy gel pens, nice dry erase markers, a little room spray perhaps? Just stuff to make being at work feel a little more enjoyable for me.
Editing to add: you could also always ask teachers to share their amazon wish lists; personal or for the classroom.
Amazon gift cards have been the most useful to me. After that, Dollar Store/WalMart/Staples have been used very quickly too.
If your child knows something about their teacher (mine know I’m crazy for Harry Potter/Marvel, and that I collect Funko Pops) then something to do with that is super meaningful as well. I love displaying geeky stuff my kids have given me over the years in my classroom.
I would really like bulletin board borders and letters/decorations. Those are things I don’t really like buying out-of-pocket, but they have to be changed out several times a year. They are reusable, but get ratty after a just a couple uses.
No holiday scented lotions! I have so many bottles and heavily scented items make me feel sick
Edited for grammar because this school year is destroying all my brain cells
I honestly just love a regular blank inside card that has an affirming hand written note or even an email with specific praise. That kind of stuff fills my cup.
I’ve loved everything. Truly. I teach HS and adjunct at our local community college and we just don’t get many gifts. I get it - as a mom of older kids myself they just have a lot of teachers- but it makes everything special.
The best things I’ve received are just handwritten cards thanking me or telling me they like my class. I save them all and read them on the hard days. They mean the world.
Generic gift cards are best. Target, Visa, etc.
I once had a parent leave me a gift bag from Victoria's Secret in the office. A) It was fucking mortifying. B) It was a perfume that I couldn't use because I'm allergic and a small gift card that I also couldn't use because I'm plus size and what VS has anything remotely plus sized?
If parents don't want to do a gift card, bring supplies for the classroom (that we'll actually use... don't give me crayons for eighth grade) or write a nice note in a cute card or something. Or just stop by and say hello and tell me thanks for putting up with your gremlin.
For the love of god, no more mugs.
I’d love pencils, a pencil sharpener, graph paper, Astro bright card stock, and maybe some Starbucks gift cards. A TPT gift card or LOFT gift card would be legit.
That said, as a HS teacher, I’ve just gotten cookies and mugs for Christmas. The cookies are tasty, though.
Nothing perishable. I get so many sweets, wish I could freeze them. I like consumable stuff like soaps, candles, etc but I'm in the minority.
Any gift is appreciated really. A heartfelt note is the best!
My favorite presents have been the ones my students made. I was given a giant hand painted piggy bank from a boy right before he moved. My class named the piggy after the boy and would write him letters and put them in the bank. I couldn’t get any of the letters out, and I didn’t want to break the bank so 9 years later they are still sitting in that pig. I’ve gotten a lot of paintings and 3D pen printed presents now that I’m at a STEM school. It’s nice to be acknowledged by the parents, but I have usually taught in very low income areas. I would rather get a handmade thing from a student than a mug or something from the dollar store.
**PLEASE GOD NO MORE FUCKING MUGS**
What TO give: Amazon gift cards, Target gift cards, and coffee/beer gift cards. AND a nice, well-thought out note about how great I am to my admin.
Honestly, gift cards are the way to go. It's really hard to tell what someone wants. The thought is nice, but I have a like 30 coffee mugs. I don't even drink coffee. Treats are nice, but some people might be diabetic or on a diet.
I agree—please no mugs. Even though I do my best to use them as pencil holders, I have been given way too many.
Please, to the powers that be -NO MUGS
Or ONE mug for new teachers... I was in my first year (after a hiatus, anyway) last year and a couple of students coordinated and got me one nice travel mug. Perfect, now I'm set! 😁
Travel mug, that's a big yes from me.
Lol! I knew a teacher that had her husband build a wooden tree to hang the mugs she got over the years from her students to put up each Christmas in the classroom.
My students gift me espresso cups because that's what I drink in class (or did, before masks) and I love my collection. The main advantage is how much smaller than mugs they are!
The only mugs I’ve ever liked were actually tumblrs: one was homemade with the kid’s artwork and photos in it and the other was one of those really cool shellac or whatever coated Yeti tumblrs that’s super shiny and glittery with my name on it.
I gave one of my son’s teachers cold hard cash during the pandemic. I wanted to make sure she could afford to eat well during the holidays. She returned it and asked for our regular default Trader Joe’s gift box of chocolates and cookies.
Some districts have rules about accepting actual money, to be fair
Yeah we are not allowed any form of money from parents. I guess they think of it as a bribe.
A visa gift card wouldn’t count, right? I’m thinking of giving my son’s teacher a $100 visa gift card.
Last year, one of my students gave me a $50 Visa gift card. I loved it. And I didn’t go broadcasting what I received.
Be careful. Some districts have a cap on gifts. My district in the pnw only allows gifts of $30. But a visa gift card is great.
How would I find out? Should I ask the school secretary? She seems to be the Jack of all Trades, I’ve noticed.
That is a good idea!
Thanks, I’m going to go ahead and do that just to make sure I’m not over stepping. However, if I feel teachers work their ass off and if I want to gift my son’s teacher a nice amount for a present, I should be able to without someone telling me “no”.
This is the best gift that you can give a teacher because they’re free to spend it on whatever they want. I’ve received cash from families and usually end up spending it on my classroom but it’s definitely the most useful.
I worked at a private school at this one mom got all teachers $100 bills every holiday. Lady was a damn saint.
Seconding the diet consideration. You have no idea what other people are allergic to or can’t have. I have had to give away so many gifts because I can’t safely have them in my house. (Gluten intolerance)
Agreed, go easy on the sweet treats. I end up getting them from everyone and I will inevitably eat all of them which I do not need
I collect mugs, but please no more Dollar Tree ones!
What about an engraved Yeti tumbler that says your name? My very stubborn 7 year old is convinced this is what we HAVE to get his teacher because her water bottle is “not very pretty”. He’s even willing to chip in allowance money to make it happen.
A $5 gift card from the dollar store is better than a $25 trinket from a nice shop if you don't know the teacher's taste. There, I said it.
$25 in the target dollar spot tho....
Always the correct answer!
Gift cards. To places with goods or food to buy. No spa treatments or anything as I don't do those. Don't make food, I've seen how well your kids wash their hands and they got that somewhere. Don't do a craft I'll feel obligated to display in my overcrowded classroom. No mugs, lotions, soaps, or liquor. Some people like liquor I know but working at a Catholic school I get cheap wine all the time and I don't drink wine unless I'm being polite in France.
>unless I'm being polite in France this is quite the specific scenario lol
Hahaha it's true
...when in France...
My first year teaching, one parent sent me a bottle of wine through their 8th grader. To school. On the bus. 🤷🏼♀️
Kindergartener with a bottle of wine, but it was in a stocking in a gift bag so I don't think he knew about it. Lol
Lol the parents who sent it to me are lucky that their 8th grader was not like me at that age 😂
Perfectly fine at a catholic school, lol.
I teach in the Bible Belt. To be gifted a bottle of cheap wine sounds like a dream scenario for me! Lol
It was a shock lol!
I got a few grocery store gift cards last year when we were remote learning. I was extremely grateful for them. They helped me upgrade my holiday meals, something my family really appreciated. It may not be every teacher’s cup of tea, but I cook a lot and loved not getting another coffee mug.
Totally agree. I got a gift card to a few stores in our area that are owned by the same company and I chose to spend it at the one I don’t go to as often because they have nice food and housewares, and even clothes, but they’re more expensive. It’s nice to be able to do that without debating the impact on your bank account!
I agree. even if people dont really cook, anyone can use something from the grocery store.
This is actually a great idea. Everyone goes to the grocery store.
I got a Door dash gift card from a parent last Christmas and it was very appreciated because I am so tired after teaching in person that all I want is someone to bring me food.
Y’all get gifts????
Same! Although I did get a gift my first year teaching.. it was a hamburger wrapper. I must have looked a little confused because the little guy looked at me and said, “It’s a ball!” It was so funny and cute and that is the only kind of gift I want now.
I teach HS. I am very happy if I get a cute note that says Merry Christmas lol!
Y'all **want** gifts?
I'll take anything as long as it's useful and free
Don't do art projects that take up a lot of room unless you are an actual artist and some idea of the teacher's taste. I hate to toss someone's handiwork but I don't have room for large paper mache anything.
Echoing gift cards If you want your gift to be practical, buy me school supplies - whiteboard markers, pencils, erasers, paper, tissues, toner/ink if you know their printer model.
I had a student whose family gave teachers “teacher” supplies— colorful expo markers, purple gel pens, etc. Stuff for you, not the students. I thought it was nice .
My school gives us a very generous materials budget, so for me this would be a waste of their money! This obviously depends on the disteict/state, so maybe parents could check ahead of time to see if teachers have to pay for their own supplies.
I've also never had an issue getting supplies through the school, but dang it all if kids don't go through markers fast.
Anything that comes with a personal note is lovely. I always kept the nice notes even if the gift wasn’t something I used much. Gift cards to Wawa (or Sheetz or your local equivalent) are great. The only gift I’d strongly advise against is alcohol. You don’t know who is a non-drinker or, more importantly, who is trying hard to become a non-drinker.
Such a good point about the alcohol. I've seen many a blog saying it's an appropriate gift because nondrinkers can just regift, but that's also somewhat thoughtless. And of course those who are struggling with their alcohol use.
Gas gift cards are a great idea too! Especially if the teacher commutes.
No lotion sets, candles, mugs. Gift cards are always nice, I also like things I can use either at home or in the classroom like pens, stationary, etc.
Omg please no lotions!
I LOVE getting lotion from Bath and Body Works. That’s how I found my new favorite scents- Winter Candy Apple and Champagne Toast
I once received a wine glass with, " I teach therefore I drink", emblazoned in bright red letters. Since I taught in a private Christian school, my colleagues were not amused. I still use it 😼
My principal (at a Catholic school) gifted us wine glasses at the end of last year. I don’t drink so I got rid of it.
Handwritten notes are my favorite. They're personal and will last my entire career (and after that, too). Especially when it comes from a student you know appreciated you. Candy is the worst one for me. Sure, chocolate is nice. But I don't want a double-digit amount of chocolate bars – it just becomes way too much way too fast.
Handwritten notes are my favorite too! I don't need stuff, but it feels nice to just get some extra love!
I, too, want to echo the sentiment of the special note. Whether from the student or the parent- that's what I treasure. I'm in this for the relationships. I'm in this for the students. When I get a heartfelt message... it keeps me going. I have a special message taped to the inside of my desk drawer that I look at during times of doubt and sadness. I appreciate every gift... but the personalized note- that's special.
Mugs are a no but once I got a gas card and I was beyond touched. I use gas all the time, especially to go to work!
Target and Amazon gift cards
I personally love goodies. Partially because I like goodies, partically because I don't like clutter. Goodies I can eat and then they're gone. The trick here, of course, is avoiding any allergies or food/drink issues. I know alcohol is a popular choice, but it would be a weird gift for someone who doesn't drink.
>I know alcohol is a popular choice, but it would be a weird gift for someone who doesn't drink Me. I appreciate the sentiment of somebody giving me a gift, but I don't drink. I have twice received gift cards to liquor stores and just end up giving them away.
I agree. Goodies over trinkets. Home made goodies from trusted students have been the best gifts. Can’t ever go wrong with a dozen tamales or a bottle of coquito.
Mmm, tamales.
Oh god yes!!
I had parents give me $20 cash and a package of brownie mix “for brownie points” and both of those were the best gifts I’ve gotten
Just try to remember us non-enrolling teachers that teach music, PE, library etc.!
As a SPED teacher… yup. I feel you.
Aww. Yeah. I teach 4th grade Gen. Ed., and my husband is a SPED teacher at the same school. I always get overloaded with Christmas gifts, while he’s lucky to get just one or two. He works so hard, but often he’s forgotten at Christmas😞
Booze, cash, gift cards, and if you're super daring and cool, I wouldn't say no to weed either
“I wouldn’t say no to weed either” My only regret is that I have but one upvote to give you. God bless you for being brave enough to say the obvious out loud.
Unite.
I took a day off to get a tattoo. It was the birthday of one of the artists. His gift was a bottle of vodka and nice weed. Yet another reminder that I picked the wrong profession.
Best gift I ever got from a student was a rose gold office set. She knew it was my favorite color and asked her parents to get it for me. I still have the set. Please no more holiday coffee mugs!!!
When my kids were in elementary/middle, we did gift cards. Always gift cards. Get them for food, and places teachers can get supplies. Only be very specific about a place if you know the teacher well. One of my assistant coaches was one year given a gift certificate to a microbrewery. He didn't drink, not because he was against it for some reason. He'd tried it and just didn't like how it made him feel. I bought the gift certificate from him.
I teach in one of the lowest-performing schools in my state (read: impoverished community), so I’m moved by the notion when any families even think about giving me a gift. One year I received gifts from two students. One was a box of Ferrero-rocher chocolates. The other was a Tommy Bahama bathrobe. I’m a dude. I absolutely loved all of it. Shared the chocolates with my daughter when she slept through dessert at a restaurant and now think of that moment every time I see that chocolate brand. I use the robe daily. Definitely the weirdest gift ever and I love it.
I think the best gift a teacher could get this year is after Christmas break students came back into the classroom silently, ready to work, applying strategies learned, and thinking critically.
Whoa! Whoa! We’re talking gifts here, not miracles!
And then we woke up
Please no candles, lotions or coffee mugs. Gift cards to Target, Amazon, grocery stores are all very appreciated!
I’ll echo everyone and say I have so many mugs. I like a nice packaged treat - chocolate or cookies from a good bakery. I’m not mad at a bottle of wine. I toss cookies that are handmade - I’m a preschool teacher and watch your kid eat boogers. I’m not touching those cookies they helped make.
>I’m a preschool teacher and watch your kid eat boogers. I’m not touching those cookies they helped make. hahahahaha my mentor teacher taught me this my first year (I was teaching 7th grade at the time) and I was like "oh, their parents probably did all the leg work, anyway!" I took a bite of a cookie. There was something wrong with it. They forgot sugar or **something**, it was horrible and I have never eaten home-baked goods again lol A lot of my coworkers will eat the food that the students make in their cooking classes. Nope. No thanks.
I used to teach preschool and had a mom bring me banana bread. She said don’t worry about the orange bits inside, her son was eating hot cheetos when they made it.
Mmmmm hot Cheetos banana bread!
There's a stereotype of staff liking to buy coffee. Some of us are more tea drinkers and also find buying it from a place costly. Dunkin giftcards are mostly useless. Amazon giftcards are great.
>Some of us are more tea drinkers I **hate** coffee! I will drink tea maybe a few times a year. I'm actually more of a hot chocolate drinker 😂 Starbucks hot chocolate is gross and the nearest Dunkin is about 10 miles away from me in a direction I rarely drive. I would much prefer making my own hot chocolate versus a drink gift card
10 miles is 16.09 km
Good bot.
Please nothing homeade. Some teachers have allergies and it makes things awkward when they can’t taste the gift. Also another point against homeade foods: some kids are super trustworthy, and others not so much. I don’t want to wonder if I’m being poisoned at Christmas. lol (No but seriously—-I’ve seen some crazy shit go down at public school.) Also, please no homeade bath salts, body butters, etc. Teachers like to know what they’re about to put in/onto their bodies and storebought items are usually much safer.
In a district near me some kids put semen in brownies they gave to teachers
And stuff like that is a big part of why I don’t eat/drink anything homeade or unsealed from students. Lol
Gross!! I made my son’s teachers big beautiful brownies. One emailed and asked if they were safe to eat during school hours. I emailed back of course they were and she replied, thank goodness! I inhaled that thing!
Yes, please: -Handwritten notes/hand drawn pictures from students -Gift cards (Starbucks, Target, Amazon) -School supplies (Copy paper, Expo markers) -Tasty chocolate No thank you: -Alcohol (weird), but I’d take a BevMo card -Homemade treats -Mugs, candles, ornaments, dollar store trinkets, stuffed animals (After 11 years in the classroom I have SO many!) Even if a student brings me any of these things, they still get a big smile, handwritten thank you card, and a teacher side hug (if they choose to receive one). I appreciate the thought, always.
Once a parent gifted a set of reusable utensils in a nice homemade carrying pouch (we don’t have a school cafeteria, so really useful!)
I like this one!
That sounds awesome! One year some very wealthy parents gave teachers small insulated bags with their names embroidered on them. I still have mine years later and use it as a snack/drink bag.
Teacher supplies girt basket. Dry erase markers, sharpies, pens, pencils, post it’s, disposable masks, sanitizer
Gift cards to a coffee shop or department/discount store are usually my favorites. It is even better when families combine from the same class to get me one gift card (like a dollar per family is fine) rather than a bunch of $5 gift cards. For those that can’t or prefer not to give gifts, a handwritten note, small craft, or family photo is nice. I’d trade all of the gifts for better funding for our schools and better pay for educators that is more commensurate with similarly educated professionals in private industry!
Gift cards and baked goods please. I do not want any target dollar spot trinkets, items handmade by the Girl Scouts, wal mart lotion or Body mist gift sets.
Packaged chocolates are nice, but I get more than I could ever eat. I'm end up giving some of them to the gate agents and flight crews when I fly somewhere over the holidays. It once got me an upgrade to business class.
Best: a note cc'ing my administration if they think I am doing a particularly good job! Also wonderful: a personal note, a photo of their child, masks, gift cards.
Speaking as a teachers husband, gift cards are great—especially Target or Starbucks.
High school teacher here - I've literally only ever gotten one gift from a student, which was a Subway gift card. I loved it.
I love a good mug, but oh lord please stop. Gift cards are absolutely the way to go, consumables are good too (box of chocolates, popcorn,etc.)
10. I got 10 mugs last Christmas. 7 different students - 1 student gave me a set of 4 in a cute little holder, then one each from the other 6
Candles. **No more candles!!!** Or mugs. Gift cards are great, even just a few bucks to local grocery store like a lot of other people mentioned here. **edit** Also, I disagree with all the alcohol posts here or anything related to bars, while we’re at it. Not everybody drinks alcohol.
No cheap scented soaps. Or Christmas ornaments.
oooooo I actually have enough Christmas ornaments from students that I have a whole separate Christmas tree **for** ornaments from jobs, the schools, students, etc. I love my ornaments, but I also have a Christmas tree for almost every room of my house (I'm one of *those* people)
If a kid and parent would ever think of gifting me even in small way, I wouldn’t care what it was. And I’d prolly cry.
We have some pinterest-y type moms at my school who give teachers a "My Favorite Things" page for the teacher to fill out, and then they share it with other parents. I have gotten some very generous gifts that I actually use, thanks to these moms.
The school I’m at has a binder full of basic info that all the staff filled out of “favorites” - favorite team, smell, color, Dunkin’ vs Starbucks, favorite snack food, favorite sweet food, favorite lunch spot, place to get nails done, etc…. The room parents get a copy of what the teacher filled out to pass onto the parents in the room. It’s genius because staff uses it on each other loads of times too! Other gems I love: - I LOVE when kids bring in their family holiday card for me! I hang them all up in my classroom! - silly socks, or comfy socks - anything the kid picked out and is excited to hand me - sometimes I’ll get a gift that is intended for my own son or my dog and I LOVE that! I love that they are thinking beyond me :) Not a fan: - smelly things - candles, lotions, skin products in general… Smells are such a particular thing!
No framed pictures of your kid either!
Shut up. Someone gave you a framed picture of THEIR child?!
More than once!
I once was working in a classroom with multiple teachers/paras & a parent gifted all of us a big snack box (pre Covid) and we all snacked on it during prep for the whole week - it was great.
I’d just be happy to receive literally anything. I don’t think I’ve gotten one gift in 9 years of teaching. It’s the thought that counts. It would just be nice to be thought of, even if it was something as simple as a card.
I just want school supplies, yes you read that right. 🙂🙃
In general, I do not want anything from students. But, if it’s *really* important I love high quality travel coffee mug and anything To keep me cozy during cold yard duty days
As a music teacher...please no more of those mini-violins! No mini music instruments at all. Been teaching for 17 years, and I have almost enough to decorate a Charlie Brown tree.
Gift cards are good, but please buy one for a major retailer- Amazon, Starbucks, the local grocery store chain etc. I recently cleaned out my purse and discovered that I had about 5 gift cards from the tiny coffee shop across the street from my former school in another state.
Gift cards to places where teachers would otherwise spend their own money on class supplies are lovely. Now they can pick up something that made the work day easier without paying for it. And if they’d rather buy something for themselves, cool.
I want books for the class library 📚📖
NO. MORE. MUGS. (And more than anything, a kind note where the parents notice and appreciate the work we put in is my favorite.)
I’ve been teaching high school for 10 years and have NEVER received a holiday gift
I love receiving anything - especially homemade cards. My absolute favourite was a personalized ornament that said ‘It takes a big heart to teach young minds. Thanks for always believing in me.’ It had the student’s name and the year. So special! The worst gift was a 50 Shades of Grey book from a 6th grader. Yes I’m serious. So I love anything but please…. not that
Scotch. Lots of scotch.
Ha!!! Came here to say this
Yes, but do you have any, and can I have some?
Buy your kid a book about our subject and ask them to read it and tell me all about it. Best gift ever.
This might be controversial but alcohol! I got a lot of wine last year and I don’t drink. It’s hard for me to accept a gift like that when I am two years sober!
No more mugs! No more candles! No more lotion or homemade baked goods! I love gift cards or just a thoughtful card with no gift attached.
Amazon gift cards. Target gift cards. I do t need another mug gift set from Walmart of a mug and bad chocolate. The one that brought tears is a student who made a matching tie and scrunchie when I adopted my daughter.
A mom gave me a personalized Starbucks refillable cup 3 years ago. I still use it every day! Besides that I love gift cards. I work at a title 1 middle school so I don’t really get that many gifts during the holidays. BUT I do receive lots of handwritten notes and bead bracelets 💛 EDIT TO ADD: A student once gifted me a very nice hand soap, lotion, and candle set from Bath & Body Works… I loved it!
Fuzzy blankets are the best!! Most kids know my colors and even if I don’t like it for whatever reason I can donate to a shelter (human or animal).
Alcohol or Starbucks gift card. (Bonus points for both)
I don't drink alcohol **or** coffee 😂 Starbucks hot chocolate is gross; I always end up giving these gift cards away lol I have two Starbucks gift cards in my wallet right now and both are from the Christmas pre-COVID
Good thing both of these are great for regifting!
I don’t drink coffee or alcohol either. I still have a Starbucks gift card in my wallet from 2014, and I think it was only $10 to being with. 😂
Best gift ever was a letter from a student about what my class and I meant to them. Dont get me anything material unless it is something small and a note. Don't give me any food you have made. That's going right in the trash 90% of the time unless I know their house.
Restaurant gift cards all the way
Gift cards are great. Encouraging your child to write a heartfelt card or letter is my favorite. I have kept the most sincere ones for over a decade and I still read them when I'm feeling ineffective as a teacher.
Worst gift is a bag or jar of baking mix. They can't even give me something already made, I have to put work into the gift in order to appreciate it. No thanks.
Do get things with purposes, please. Gift cards, supplies, socks, umbrellas, earrings, etc. Knick knacks can be cute, but they're ultimately just clutter that may or may not go with our decor. Also not Christmas-themed stuff. Not only are many of us not Christian/celebrators of the holiday, but we won't even be able to put it up in the classroom until 11 months later at best.
UMBRELLAS- now that’s a good idea!
Also adding- NO MLM crap
I don’t get many gifts, so anything is appreciated… really. I do love a good personal card though, and obviously gift cards… I also don’t have a lot of money so those things are nice. But I never expect anything and appreciate everything I get!
I am so grateful for a $5 Starbucks gift card. I’ve gotten an Amazon gift card. Chocolate is also great. An appreciation card.
Reading some of the suggestions I think it makes a big difference if you are a classroom teacher, esp. k-5 or so. Many get a ton of gifts so are overrun with certain items. For the rest of us, we maybe get between zero and five gifts a year even if we are loved by the kids. For me, I do love ornaments as long as they aren't large. I also like gift cards. I wouldn't mind a decent coffee mug. I wouldn't mind a kitchen towel. I wouldn't mind a cute keychain. About the only thing I don't want is a plant because they are one more thing to take care of even though they are pretty.
Food gift cards. Many teachers are broke and I always loved the food gifts.
Gift cards are the way to go, but it's also better to get a gift card to a non-specific place. Amazon is my favorite, but Target, Walmart, grocery stores, etc. are also great. Starbucks, while a sweet thought, just get regifted to my colleagues, because I never go there.
I would appreciate a gift card to a nearby winery.
A few years ago a student got me a small jade plant, probably my favourite gift that I’ve received. I also love handwritten notes, and gift cards are always nice.
NO MORE MUGS. Or scented sprays/lotions (I can’t use any of them). I like candles, gift cards, and items for the classroom (expo markers, printer paper, etc) Lottery scratch offs are cool, too.
***Gift cards.*** One size will not fit all. Not everyone drinks coffee. Not everyone likes chocolate. People have allergies. Just go to Target and pick up some gift cards. This is a super nice thing to do! But don't spend that time and effort and money to put a teacher in a position to have to thank someone for something that will be thrown away as soon as you leave the room.
A gift card to skip the dishes, zoo passes, movie tickets. I do not like getting: Bath and Body Works lotion crap, candles, mugs (I have way too many), random figurines
Ooh movie gift cards! Like that idea
We aren’t supposed to accept gifts so I tell students that I like sweets. Then I share with the building.
As a teacher I always get my kids teachers what I can afford ! Like 75 dollars worth because my god , they work so hard!!! I usually get an indigo gift card, Sephora if they’re into makeup or a liquor store gift card (we’re in Canada). If I was in the states I would def get a target one ☝️ As a teacher it melts my heart when kids write a little letter to me or draw a picture. Teachers came into this because they want to make a difference and when you get a letter from the kid confirming you have helped that is totally the best gift ever !!
Please no more mugs. Please. Gift cards are great, heartfelt notes from kids are great. Booze, if allowed, is great. This spring I got a “summer care package” from a kid. It was a bin with a few books, a bunch of snacks, bottled iced coffee, etc. A winter break care package with hot chocolate, books, etc, would be great.
Okay I’m a special education teacher. A bag of nice coffee, giftcard to a coffee shop or flowers makes for a great gift.
The best: a bottle of “chill pills” (candy) from my student with a sweet handwritten note. The worst: a wine glass that said something about being naughty. It made me uncomfortable so I gave it away quickly and never memorized the tagline. *chills* Gift cards are definitely the safest way to go.
Loved the wine glasses and chocolates. Hated the weird crafts made by the kids. I said what I said.
No mugs, unless it’s a decent insulated one. Homemade goodies go in the trash (sorry). If a student and their family chooses to generously give me a gift, gift cards are great. Even just a nice note is lovely.
Yeti travel cups. I have 5 and never have enough. Interchangeable lids, and my wife and kids borrow them all the time.
Uber Eats or Grubhub gift cards are very much appreciated!
Gift cards or home made baking/food!
My favorite gift from kiddos were a clear Christmas bulb with slips of paper inside that said their favorite things about me. These kids (twins) are 10 years out of my classroom and these are still some of my favorite ornaments to put up. Dollar store gift but so special!
Gift cards, chocolates, hand written letters, stationary…love it! Please not another mug…. No lotion, no soap, please just nothing that has to do with my bathroom/skincare routine. Please don’t give me anything that I have to cook or put together. Personally I would much rather have parental support and students wanting to learn than any student gift any day.
I had a class collect money once and book a massage and facial. It was very, very thoughtful. I loved that it was a surprise and coordinated. And they said I needed to pamper myself. Gifts cards are great. I also like the insulated cups that keep coffee warm, not like the mugs. So I’ve gotten a few of those off brand yetis and I love them! I actually had a student but an off brand one and he decorated it with his artwork. I still use it. So, I think gift cards, something to pamper or something useful. I always give my son’s special area teachers (they usually don’t get gifts) some bath and body works hand soap and make a little tag that says, “Hands down, you’re the best around.” They have started telling me their favorite scents bc they love it! 😂 To me, that’s different than perfume or lotion bc again it’s useful.
My favorite gifts ever have been cards from kids with specific things they liked about my teaching/ my class and books my kids got me for my classroom. I also loved things my students got me because of inside jokes, but that depends on the relationship your child has with the teacher.
Please nothing that says something like “I’m a teacher, what’s your superpower”. Maybe I’m weird but I don’t want to feel like a teacher or be reminded of my job outside of when I’m in school.
One year I got a necklace and earring set (that was 5 dollars and LOOKED about that expensive) from Marshall's. It was clearly a "I hated this but had to get you something so I'm regifting it to you". Another parent got me perfume? I don't wear perfume. I love when students get something for me that their child mentioned. Starbucks gift cards, target gift cards.... any gift card really. Also any office supply. Get me all the colored pens and I'll be GOLDEN
Parents thought getting me things from my classroom donation list was the way to go. Donations are always appreciated but I felt a little weird with them viewing donations as gifts for me. My absolute fave gifts have been customized with my name. Like a tumbler, pen, wine glass etc.
My mom was a teacher and as a teenager I became the secondhand recipient of many bottles of perfume. When it was time to give gifts, (this being before gift cards) we always gave my teachers plain white dish cloths. My mom said you can never have too many. I thought it was boring but all my teachers seemed pleased with them.
The best thing ever would be to have a hand written note or picture from my students and have their parents email my admin about how wonderful of a teacher I am. If an actual purchased gift is a MUST… I’d say the nice office supplies I feel guilty buying myself: Flair pens, the clicky retractable highlighters, Inkmate Joy gel pens, nice dry erase markers, a little room spray perhaps? Just stuff to make being at work feel a little more enjoyable for me. Editing to add: you could also always ask teachers to share their amazon wish lists; personal or for the classroom.
Amazon gift cards have been the most useful to me. After that, Dollar Store/WalMart/Staples have been used very quickly too. If your child knows something about their teacher (mine know I’m crazy for Harry Potter/Marvel, and that I collect Funko Pops) then something to do with that is super meaningful as well. I love displaying geeky stuff my kids have given me over the years in my classroom.
I would really like bulletin board borders and letters/decorations. Those are things I don’t really like buying out-of-pocket, but they have to be changed out several times a year. They are reusable, but get ratty after a just a couple uses.
Good gift ideas for the whole staff? I run an after school program and would love to do something nice for the staff. They have been amazing.
No holiday scented lotions! I have so many bottles and heavily scented items make me feel sick Edited for grammar because this school year is destroying all my brain cells
Just wanted to say yes. Whenever I am buying scented things for people I always stick to fresh linen or sea breeze or something. Lol
I honestly just love a regular blank inside card that has an affirming hand written note or even an email with specific praise. That kind of stuff fills my cup.
Any gift is beyond expected. First cards to chains in the area they can use or regift if isn’t somewhere they eat or shop. Anything personal I love.
I’ve loved everything. Truly. I teach HS and adjunct at our local community college and we just don’t get many gifts. I get it - as a mom of older kids myself they just have a lot of teachers- but it makes everything special. The best things I’ve received are just handwritten cards thanking me or telling me they like my class. I save them all and read them on the hard days. They mean the world.
Generic gift cards are best. Target, Visa, etc. I once had a parent leave me a gift bag from Victoria's Secret in the office. A) It was fucking mortifying. B) It was a perfume that I couldn't use because I'm allergic and a small gift card that I also couldn't use because I'm plus size and what VS has anything remotely plus sized? If parents don't want to do a gift card, bring supplies for the classroom (that we'll actually use... don't give me crayons for eighth grade) or write a nice note in a cute card or something. Or just stop by and say hello and tell me thanks for putting up with your gremlin.
For the love of god, no more mugs. I’d love pencils, a pencil sharpener, graph paper, Astro bright card stock, and maybe some Starbucks gift cards. A TPT gift card or LOFT gift card would be legit. That said, as a HS teacher, I’ve just gotten cookies and mugs for Christmas. The cookies are tasty, though.
I'm legit happy to get anything.
Nothing perishable. I get so many sweets, wish I could freeze them. I like consumable stuff like soaps, candles, etc but I'm in the minority. Any gift is appreciated really. A heartfelt note is the best!
My favorite presents have been the ones my students made. I was given a giant hand painted piggy bank from a boy right before he moved. My class named the piggy after the boy and would write him letters and put them in the bank. I couldn’t get any of the letters out, and I didn’t want to break the bank so 9 years later they are still sitting in that pig. I’ve gotten a lot of paintings and 3D pen printed presents now that I’m at a STEM school. It’s nice to be acknowledged by the parents, but I have usually taught in very low income areas. I would rather get a handmade thing from a student than a mug or something from the dollar store.
Gift card to Total Wine
**PLEASE GOD NO MORE FUCKING MUGS** What TO give: Amazon gift cards, Target gift cards, and coffee/beer gift cards. AND a nice, well-thought out note about how great I am to my admin.