From a teacher to couponers regarding "teacher gifts"...

[DebK1013]

For the past two years I have sent my kids' teachers each a gift bag with a new set of Christmas/winter themed potholders and dish towels that my children pick out (this year they had cute snowmen on them).

I figure that I know they have kitchens and since Christmas is baking season, it is something most people can use. I also put in a few bags of assorted Betty Crocker cookie mix and a box of Ghirardelli brownie mix, as well as a card and a short letter about how much my child and I appreciate them.

Even if they don't like the cookies or brownies in the bag, chances are someone in their family will. Or they can make them and bring them to a holiday party.

I got the idea last year when I was in the store looking for teacher gifts and I just happened to notice a dish towel that had a cute little log cabin with snow on the roof and Christmas decorations. It remided me a lot of my youngest daughter's teacher's log home.

Last year I added a tupperware container with homemade apple crisp topping (a family favorite) and a hand written recipe card because I was sure she would use it and not worry about where it came from. This year I wasn't sure, so I left that out.

I think thats a very nice gift. Sometimes people feel weird about eating something that didn't come from their own kitchen. This way they can bake and keep it or give it as a gift. Nice!

[aurorahorse]

When in the world would you suggest the parents try to get to know their teacher better? Call her at home to talk with her? Take off work to go to the school and interrupt her time with the students? Schedule a conference? Teacher gifts are a happy, ya'll. Unless you happen to know the teacher, nine times out of ten you'll find something you think the majority of people might like that will fit into your budget. Kudos to you if you're trying to give to your teacher on a severely limited budget.

I agree! Honestly, after this thread, I'm kind of afraid to give any future teachers ANYTHING for Christmas, because I don't want to be the talk of the school. I will have my daughter do a letter in a card, though. Sounds like that's wanted more anyway.

[enginerd]

One year I gave my DS teacher an apple pie for Christmas. Later, she went on and on about how good it was - I didn't have the heart to tell her that it was a frozen pie that I just baked. I don't remember the brand but those were really good pies.

[mmb1996]

One year I gave my DS teacher an apple pie for Christmas. Later, she went on and on about how good it was - I didn't have the heart to tell her that it was a frozen pie that I just baked. I don't remember the brand but those were really good pies.

That is so funny, love it. She would of probably got a kick out of knowing it was a frozen pie.

[everprincess]

I gave ds's teachers gifts from the stockpile this year and they loved it. One glade candle, one pack of gum, one bottle of lotion (various brands) and some kind of candy. The one teacher told me she had already used everything once. I like giving simple gifts that everyone can use that I can get for cheap. I wish everyone would do this so I could have more to use. I always keep a section for my stockpile for candy and other things I can use for gifts you never know who you may forgot. Besides I don't need 20 boxes of candy or 20 candles. I say spread the love.