- Coffee mugs--I don't drink coffee but these mugs have served a decorations and pencil cups throughout the years. I always write the child's name and date on the bottom of the mug. One time a coworker of mine enjoyed mugs of hot cocoa with her entire class using real mugs that were gifts from families--the kids thought they were so cool with their heavy breakable fancy mugs.
- Soaps & Lotions--After a day of smelling playground dust and dirty pants a hint of citrus, plumeria, and freesia never hurts. Better yet...a gift card to Bath and Body Works!
- Candles--I received many candles that I took home because we couldn't use them at school...after a while one runs out of room to store candles and the competing scents can be overwhelming.
- Ornaments--This insures that a former teacher thinks of you each year while decorating her tree...again...mark with name and year.
- Framed photos of child or group of children!
- Restaurant Gift Cards--Always a nice choice for a teacher who is exhausted at the end of the day...preferably to a restaurant where one orders from a table and the bonus would be real table cloths.
- Photo albums or scrapbooks to document the events and activities of the coming year. To this day, I keep albums accessible in my office and flip through them on occasion when thinking of particular activities or children. One time I had a former student visiting our college and she stopped by my office to say "hello". I pulled an album off the shelf and we reminisced while flipping through the pages.
- Personalized tote bags, pencils, note pads and classroom door decorations.
- Classroom items--children's books, bean bag chair, puzzle, or a new nap-time CD.
- Live scorpion. Yes, this is a real item brought to me by a child...I bet you can guess which category it belongs in.
- Many items that represented the school I worked for...paperweights, pens, mouse pads, sweatshirts, more mugs...
- Thematic wooden/plastic jewelry--While I do not dress much like Ms. Frizzle anymore, I used to totally rock the theme look from socks to earrings...every holiday and thematic unit had its own look. I have a cool Santa necklace made from Legos!
- Movie Night Gift Basket--I have received this item twice! Both times consisted of large bowls for popcorn, microwave popcorn, movie candy, pop, and gift certificates for movie rentals.
- Candy--This may seem like an easy fix for any teacher...and I do like candy...but I am kind of a candy snob...meaning not just any candy will do. I prefer Candy House English Toffee to a Snickers...I prefer Brach's Candy Corn to Mallowcreme pumpkins...I prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate...and I typically choose not to each off brand Dollar Store candy (ever hear of cocoa moths?) or anything homemade.
Things I never received as gifts...but would be awesome:
- Tervis Cups with Lids--This is my go-to item for my kid's teachers because you can use with hot or cold drinks and there are many designs to fit the style of the teacher.
- iTunes Cards--Today, if I were in a preschool classroom, I would love to be able to add some new apps to my iPad to use with the kids...or to be able to expand our music repertoire.
- Subscription to an appropriate magazine to use either for the classroom--Ranger Rick, Highlights, or for the teacher like Mailbox.
- Drink Gift Cards--Again, not a coffee drinker but if I were...I would love Starbucks. But, gift cards to Sonic or other places where a teacher can grab an icy beverage before or after work is much appreciated.
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