Teacher Gifts
I have been busy making shortbread today for my children to take to their teachers tomorrow as end of year/Christmas gifts. Each teacher is also getting a gift card which says that a child in poverty will be provided with educational tools on their behalf.
DH and I have been discussing if we *should* do something for the kids bus drivers. I find it hard knowing where to draw the line when it comes to giving gifts to those who provide a service. After all, they are paid to do what they do. On the other hand, I feel it is nice to show a small token of appreciation.
I guess I’m particularly keen to give a gift to teachers as having worked in a school, I’m aware of how much work it is. It can be a very thankless task at times. From there though, where do you draw the line? I wouldn’t give a gift to a commercial bus driver but our children build up quite a relationship with their bus driver as they have the same one all year. But then, what about other service personel? Or the support staff at the school? It’s one of those scenarios where it could go on and on and get out of hand.
Do you buy or make gifts for your child/rens teachers? If so, what kind of things do you do? Are there others in your life that you do the whole “gift” thing with or do you try and keep it simple?
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L, re: ancillary non-family presents:
* I make something for one teacher (as there is only the one) - made a calico bag this year
* I make some biccies/shortbread for two swimming teachers - really lovely, caring ladies who do a tremendous job
* I put together a little something for about 7 children of friends - the same for each child. This year, it’s a little ceramic Christmas mug with some minties and either a matchbox car, or a plastic bead necklace.
* I give my two best local buddies a gift each: last year it was a bottle of homemade pesto, a bottle of my tomato sauce & a bottle of wine. This year so far, it’s a string grocery bag (found them on special at IGA for $1), with a potted plant (a photinia for one, a lomandra for the other), some homemade cherry almond biscotti…and I’m thinking of grinding some coffee beans for each and putting this into a decorative glass jar as I have so many of them that aren’t suitable for preserves.
* I do a kris kringle for the uni Christmas party for $5 which is tomorrow. I think I’ll buy a potted herb of some kind and decorate it with a ribbon.
Anyway - that’s about it.
great minds think alike
I bought the same thing for my girls teachers 
Except no home made shortbread (thugh I probably could?)insrtead I am grabbing a 3 pack of ferrero rochers.
You know how Avon have the spun glass ornaments ($10 for a box of 3)? I use those as teacher presents. Small, non cluttering and different. That or handmade earrings for a personal touch. I really like to give the teachers a little something to express appreciation for all the work they put in through the year with my children.
We will be getting something for the bus driver this year. They’ve had the same bus driver for 3 years now and he takes terrific care of them and I know from experience that he has some ratbags to keep an eye on during the runs. I wouldn’t be a school bus driver for all the tea in china after seeing first hand some of what he has to put up with or deal with!
I’m also stitching something for the RE coordinator at my kids school as she has been a lovely friend to me as we’ve gotten to know eachother while working together on a couple of things this year. I just want to do something to encourage her.
When I was little, my dad used to quite like doing the Christmas day garbage run as he always came home with a few 6 packs and some cake for his efforts lol
I know that it can be hard to draw the line so I kind of figure out who has really been involved or gone above and beyond that I would like to thank, who might I want to encourage and who have I/we developed an affection for? Does that make sense?
Lisa - wow, you sound very organised!!!! Each year I promise myself I’m not going to do things last minute and each year….. well……
Susan - the ferrero rochers sound wonderful!!! I’d be happy to get something like that. I know you’re VERY busy so sounds like a sensible decision to me.
Bettina - some great ideas there!
I always WANT to be more giving but run myself out of time to get organised. Plus I’m hesitant to start something that ends up being a chore. I could have at least written a nice thank you note in a Christmas card. (slaps wrist) I’ve written a grand total of 1 Christmas Card so far this year!!!!! Oh dear……
Lightening,
I really like your new web page… I can tell it took lots of work to get it up and going…I usually make a cake or cookies for my gifts to people that provide a service for us… its fun and easy to do… and it doesn’t cost much…
I know what you mean about where to draw the line.
This year I stitched little handmade cards for my oldest daughters Kinder teacher and her aide and for my younger daughters Childcare teacher and her two aides.
http://leechbabe.blogspot.com/2007/12/ouch.html
I couldn’t decide if I should give the teachers a gift or donate books for the classroom. In the end I just tucked a $20 book voucher in with each card. I like the idea of a donation on their behalf. Will file that away for future reference.
Now to decide if I should just make cards or also give gifts to my youngests Autism outreach worker and speech therapist. What about Sunday School teachers? Pastor? Auuuurgh.
At least I got in early and my girls have already made the gifts for their uncles and aunts.
Thank you Mimi - it did take a lot of work. Most of it wasn’t me though.
Mind you, it’s taking quite a bit of work for me to learn how to use it!!!! I’m getting there though and having fun in the process.
Marita, I saw your cross-stitched cards. They looked wonderful!
I’ve always been a giver of gifts to the school teacher and the violin teacher. This year, my daughter and her teacher do NOT get along. When I asked her if she wanted to buy a gift for her teacher she became most upset. Even if I do get the teacher a gift, there’s no way known kiddo will pass it on! As I am a Sunday School teacher, I think it would be silly to go down that path, lol. I certainly see your point though….where does it end?
I bought some little Xmas noodle boxes and filled with M&Ms for B’s preschool teachers, and he made a little Xmas ornament for them.