Christmas gifts

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Home : 2002 : December : 7

Christmas gifts
By Kathy

The tote bags you made last year sound great. I would think any teacher would be delighted with that and it doesn't seem too "personal" to me.

In my current school I generally just get a few inexpensive gifts because
the parents really can't afford it here--and that's fine with me since I'm trying to "declutter" my life. I got a huge "haul" every Christmas in my previous school.
Some of my favorites:
Christmas things--unique balls, napkin holders, placemats, decorations, wreaths
Consummable items--such as homemade bread, goodies, bath bubbles, etc
Gift certificates to a favorite children's

bookstore or unique gift shop

Homemade gifts--My favorite gift last year was a little handcrafted nativity set one of my third graders made. It was a definite "keepsake."

Flower arrangements, candles

Least favorites: Boxes of candy and "school knicknacks"--over the year you begin to run out of room on your desk to display these!!!

I have some really lovely things around my house given to me by students. (The most exquisite being a gorgeous quilt a mother made with handwritten notes from all the students on the back.)

I will have to say that household items like that are a "risk" since about 1/2 of the knicknacks I've received I really have not been able to use and while the thought is lovely it always makes me feel guilty to get expensive items that I don't know what to do with. That's why I like Christmas things that you can put out once a year or things you will use up!

The ironic thing is what I treasure most from parents is a little personal note thanking me for all I've done for their child. I've had parents make a scrapbook of notes from the class and pictures of activities and present it to me and that means everything to me.

Hopefully, that helps! Gift giving is personal so my "favorites" may not work for your children's teachers. You might ask another teacher at the school for ideas.

Another suggestion I would have is (when appropriate)to place your child's name someplace on the gift. It's always fun to remember a certain child when you're using the gift and after a few years those details begin to blur!!!