Teachers and Christmas

[Frostyfoxy]

I know this has probably been done before but does anyone have any inspiration for Christmas presents for teachers?

Last year my ds decorated a mug for his 2 teachers but as he has ASD it was really hard to get him to decorate it in anyway that looked like anything nice! I just hoped that his teachers would appreciate something that was homemade (very homemade looking!) and not chocolate!

I have no inspiration this year though.....

[olivo]

I love getting mugs of any sort! I appreciate anything that is given as a gift, but equally I love it when the children have taken the time to make or choose a card and have written it themselves.

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

last year, me and several mums and dads pooled funds together, and got the teacher a gift certificate where she could use at the local mall, and then made her a big card.

[Nicknamegrief]

I get my children to write a thank you letter and tell the teacher the best thing they have done in the term. If Mums aren't clubbing together I sometimes do the uninspired gift voucher or a cookie mix jar, depending on budget and age of teacher. M

[Frostyfoxy]

Good idea ilove but my ds goes to school by special needs taxi so I don't know many of the other mums as we don't meet at the school gate!

I'm wondering about a picture drawn by DS and put in a nice frame - they can always just use the frame for something else if they want to!!

[ninah]

I'd love a picture! sounds a great idea

[Funnylittleturkishdelight]

Bookmarks!

I would love bookmarks (need so many!) and these can be homemade quite easily and you can use magazines etc to make them- taking out the tricky arty creative part!

[OddBoots]

The frame is nice, or a smaller picture in a keyring or coaster?

[[http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Make-your-own-Keyrings-Fridge-Magnets-Coasters-Blank-for-your-photos-/230754020973?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Celebrations_Occasions_ET&var=530045934789&hash=item35ba02ee6d ebay link] to first seller that came up, others may be better/cheaper.

[stargirl1701]

Teachers are not in teaching for presents. A lovely hand made card is perfect. I keep those

[OddBoots]

try again...

link

[Frostyfoxy]

Love the bookmarks idea!!

Now I have to choose!!

[Frostyfoxy]

Oddboots we made keyrings and coasters for the taxi people last year. The pictures were a bit small for my DS to deal with though.

Stargirl - I understand that teachers aren't teaching for presents but my DS's teachers are really fabulous with him and his special needs. He loves school and I think that has a lot to do with them being as they are. I want to send something to show my appreciation hence not really wanting to go down the bought route and would rather show some thought. Trouble is my thoughts had got up and gone!!

[LizzieVereker]

I'm a teacher, and the nicest things I've ever had are things that the children have made, but I appreciate not everyone has time to organise this. Also, things that the children have obviously chosen by themselves from a little bit of pocket money. I have a much loved display of plastic roses from Poundland and the like. My house looks "dreamy" around Christmas, but their excited faces when they hand their goodies over are grill.

[EcoLady]

Cotton carrier bags from Clever Baggers thecleverbaggers.co.uk/bags/reusable-cotton-shopping-bags decorated with fabric pens/paints. Unique, personalised and very handy for carting books, marking and resources :-)

[missmapp]

Just ordered from the bag site- fab idea- as a teacher I know how many of those bags I use and getting the dc's to decorate them for their teachers is a fab idea- thank you Ecolady

[Bonbonchance]

I've had all sorts of things, wine always goes down well! I agree, the thought behind it is the best thing, a card a child has made and wrote a nice message/told parent what to write is lovely. I've got a big box of cards & pictures done by my classes over the years, it's lovely to look back on.

I really honestly appreciated everything, even the bizarre jewellry set one 11 year old gave me because it was clear she'd chosen it herself! Lovely things I still use include a gorgeous compact mirror, a little clock (that was an end of year gift but useful for the classroom), Christmas tree decorations, make up bag, silver keyring. I loved it when one mum got me a card as a thank you because it had a picture of something she knew I was into, I was touched she'd thought of me. But yeah, gift cards, mugs, flowers, wine, anything at all would go down well I'm sure.

[Bonbonchance]

Love the bag site also! Great idea, I'm going to get some things to dd orate for presents!

[Nicknamegrief]

Thanks for the bag idea, have pinned it lest I forget :)

[loubielou31]

EcoLady I think I might love you, that is a brilliant gift idea. Decorated with handprints done in fabric paint, even I my DDs could make that look nice.

[Arithmeticulous]

The Literary Gift Company have some fab mugs: Scrabble (teacher's initial), Ladybird Read and Write, or Go Away I'm Marking. Also The Paperie do some lovely notebooks (or Paperchase) which would always be useful.

[chimchar]

I saw a nice thing in Pinterest...it was a pot plant with a card saying 'thank you for helping me to grow'. You could get a nice poinsettia or something.

I think it's the thought that counts tbh....as a TA in a special school, I would love to receive ANY present that acknowledges my effort with pupils.

[chimchar]

Or what about a lovely book that the teacher could read with the class....and put a label in the front from your ds.

My favourite is a pop up book about Alice in wonderland....

here

[amck5700]

.......so what do you do for male teachers? We have always gone down the beer route (a few fancy beers, not a 4 pack of Tenents :o) This will be my youngest's last year at primary and his teacher is really great - eldest had him for 2 years as well. Although he is a young trendy wee guy, he is a very committed teacher and puts loads of extra hours in to do nice things for and with the kids.

[ProPerformer]

Ecolady the bags are such a great idea!! I've been fretting over what to get the girls at DS's nursery as we have hardly any money for presents, but these are PERFECT!! Our local pound shop has some fabric pens for decoration - Can now get things for all the girls for under £10 and I was thinking we'd have to either spend a fortune or just get them chocs to share. I know they don't need anything but they're so fab and DS loves them to bits.

[ProPerformer]

amck We got DS's male Nursary assistant a funky notebook and pencils last year.

[amck5700]

thanks ProP - that's not a bad idea - maybe a Beano one or something would be good.

Son has just said that his teacher needs new Hair straighteners as his are broken and he is having to share with his wife!!