What does a preschool teacher want for Christmas? (business, college, class)

[Liza54]

This is a two-morning a week preschool for my 2yr. old. One teacher is in her 60's , the other probably 20 and in college. Do not know them well enuf to know what they really are into. Nothing big, simply a token of our appreciation.
thanks!

[PurpleLove08]

Why not just ask them?

I am not sure what 60 year olds would want but I know the 20 year old would probably like a nice facial or a little massage.

[charz]

I usually give candles to my children's teachers. When I taught preschool, my two most cherished gifts were an embroidered pillow and a Precious Moments oven mitt. I was given the oven mitt because I had burned my hand earlier that year while cooking. The four-year old insisted to his mom that I needed an oven mitt to keep me safe. The gift made me laugh and feel cherished at the same time. Last year, I gave my daughter's kindergarten teacher a note to say thank you and a candle. Her thank you note said that she cherished the note more than any gift she had received.

[froggin4colorado]

I am pretty close to my kids' teachers so I go pratical. I usually get them a thank you card with a Walmart gift card. Something I know they can use. I have another teacher who loves this coffee hut so I get her a gift card to there. I know what they like and think pratical. Others, I get them a gift card to Barnes and Noble or Borders. Teachers are addicted to books and we can never have enough!

[Topaz]

Gift cards for sure, but just be sure to pick a store that isn't going out of business. I'd probably pick a book store or Target.

[FarNorthDallas]

I gave cash.

[charolastra00]

My mom is a preschool teacher and has taught in daycares or public school for over 25 years. Never, ever get candles, bath products, or holiday decorations/ ornaments. My mom gets several of each every year and what she can't pass off to me in the bath product department, she has to toss. For awhile she kept a draw full of candles she accumulated over the years "just in case". In the end, she now cuts them up and uses them for various crafts with her kids. You give my mom a candle, you get the recycled product back next Christmas in a candle your kid will bring home! :P

Holiday decorations are especially tough because my family is Jewish (so no Christmas tree) and we don't do the whole decoration thing. What are we supposed to do with the Nativity scene set, snowman cookie jar, or the plethora of ornaments (often religious) for our nonexistent tree? :P The parents mean well, but I know my mom would much rather prefer a card and NO gift than a gift she's going to throw out.

Big hits in my house are gift cards (which my mom in both her day care and public school often turned around to buy supplies for the class), home made cookies/candy/etc, finger painted cards, or a prepaid visit to a local massage place. I don't know about all teachers, but my mom also loves getting pictures of the kids. She teaches 3 year olds though so I can't blame her for wanting an album of their cute little faces! I'm sure they're never quite that cute in class. :P

[lexingtongal]

My son is in elementary school. I usually organize collecting $ from any family that wants to participate and purchase a Visa gift card for the teacher. I just send a note home in each students backpack asking that they send in a small donation, usually $5 or $10, with my son's name on the envelope. I've collected around $125 each year. I know a lot of teachers spend much more than this out of their own pockets and they've each seen very appreciative of the gift.

[tamcim72]

gift certificate for manicure and/or pedicure.

[EEEPNJ]

Good question - my kids are in elementary school, but I'm facing the same issue this year. I usually try to give nice gifts - and usually a gift card - but things are too tight this year.

Teachers add up too - regular teacher, after-care teachers, special teachers...oy.

I know they must be sick to death of hand cream, candles, candy and stuff like that though. I'm kind of at a loss this year.