Need ideas for gifts for teachers etc......

[Margaritaville]

Ok, everyone out there...my daughter is disabled and is in a class were there are always the teacher a 2-3 aids. I have always managed for christmas ideas, but running short this year. Maybe just tired from our move. So I would like to enlist the help of all those talented deal seekers for some fresh ideas, crafty or not. Nothing to expensive...maybe we could all benefit from this? Thanks...you can email me direct if you wish. [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

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[sunshine93]

My mother always gets tons of teacher items at yard sales. All of the items are new and are items that teachers get that are doubles, not wanted, etc.

Craft ideas: 1. Clothespin with an flat, wooden apple glued to it. Paint the apple red and on it write graded or not graded, etc. These can be used to hold papers.
2. A small wooden chalkboard- Paint the teachers name on the chalkboard and decorate the border.
3. A wooden canister with a lid-Paint it, decorate it and put a label. Could be Teachers Treats or something.
4. Have your daughter make something--Could be an ornament, a pencil holder,etc. There are some pretty basic crafts.
5. Also consider talking to the room mother. Maybe the class can do a joint gift. Could be a craft that incorporates pictures of the class, etc. I am not very crafty but maybe one of the parents or you are. A quilt or fabric bag with childrens handprints and names.

Just a few ideas. I am tired and don't know if they make sense or not. Some of the best gifts that I have cherished as a teacher have come from the heart (a picture drawn by a student, a pot holder a child made, etc.).

[weepy]

I just cashed in at Firstlook.com (points program) for 4 of the $5 Hollywood video GC to give to my son's 2 preschool teachers for Christmas. They also have $15 Best Buy GC, not to mention all of the ones you can get doing Freeride. I figure that these teachers probably get so many mugs, Christmas ornaments, and "crafty" things that they would probably like the gift certificates. It's so hard to buy things for people that you don't know that well, that I figure even if they wouldn't use the GC, someone in their family would. I would be interested to hear what everyone else does too though!

[kells3]

Weepy you are so right. I always get the teachers some sort of gift cert. My friend has been teaching kindergarten for 15 years and just can not keep all the teacher things she has received over the years. Last easter she gave my kids 4 or 5 new stuffed animals that she and another teacher had just received. I have a couple of $5. gift cert. for Blockbuster from Greenpoints, and I think I will have to spend some real money and buy some more for teachers, and soccer coaches.

Kelly

[4erika]

I always find a ton of nice things at the dollar store. You can put them together in a little gift basket. They have office/ school supplies, and nice little bath type things. I found a mug that says something like World's greatest teacher. Not bad for a buck. I thought I'd put a little bag of santa chocolates inside and tie it with a ribbon. Total cost $2. Top it off with a handmade card.

[bradedit]

This year is a little different for me, my daughter has 3 teachers, I realize that this is not for everyone but I bought a book called "God is in the Small Stuff"I bought them the edition for women, I have another one, that I just love.

I usually bet one of those "chip" baskets and fill it with small stickers, notepads, pencils that I get throughout the year (It usually ends up with at least 50 items in it that I pay about $10 for.

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Tami [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[Margaritaville]

Cool...thanks for the ideas. I agree, I know the teachers get tired of "teacher" related gifts. I know last year a gave out those little extra freebies from Drugstore.com, etc. They were great. But you don't know if they would like that particular scent or not. Anyway...keep the ideas coming. I like the idea of video gift certificates..I might pool togeather and make little baskets. I always include homemade christmas candy..thats always a winner.

[MSVL]

-A gift certificate for a video and a package of microwave popcorn in a dollar store bowl or a GC for a bookstore with some coffee samples in a mug.

My friend made me a nice centerpiece with different types of dried bread- bagels, muffins, melba toast, bread sticks-she let them dry for a few days , then shellaced or polyurethaned them and put them in a $1 store basket that she had tied a fabric ribbon on.

[stking]

Two years ago I bought a pack of individually boxed ornaments from Sam's Club. I think it was 15 ornaments for $25 or something like that. Anyway, they were really cute, like the Hallmark ones. I have been using those for teacher, coach and principal gifts and just keep the extras each year. This is only good if you know the person celebrates Christmas not some other religious holiday.

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