Monday, November 24, 2008

Monday Morning Confessional: Shopping for teacher presents—eek!


It hit me this weekend: I have to get gifts for Max's teachers, therapists and babysitters soon. And suddenly, I was dreading December. There are 463 people I need to do something for. OK, it just feels that way. I get a little overwhelmed because I am so deeply grateful to all of them. They do so, so much for Max, they're very much largely responsible for his progress, they're basically saints and Max and I couldn't get by without them.

Last year, plenty of people got the same thing, I'll admit. I cashed in American Express points for Barnes & Noble gift gards. I gave some people Am Ex Gift Cheques, essentially a form of money that come printed on gold paper and, note, are spelled "cheques." I also did the holiday candle thing. I know, I know, people just don't get much more creative than me. On that note, what do you guys do?

12 comments:

  1. We take the cheap way out...the kids make presents. We have done this for a few years now, and although their works of art generally don't make it on display, a few have. But only because I framed them myself!

    We also do cookies and fudge. YUMMY! Who could resist some incredibly homemade goodies? And I am a fantastic cook and baker (really, I am) so it is a lot of fun for me. I get cute little bags or tins, wrap it all up, and presto, instant gift.

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  2. I can totally relate. We have 4 therapists this year, daycare, babysitter and everyone else too

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  3. Travel coffee mugs and bags of coffee. Gift certificates to starbucks. I figure almost everyone likes that stuff. Actually, I don't drink coffee, but pretty much everyone else does.

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  4. Last year I made craft aprons for D's teachers and did Starbuck's cards for her therapists.

    This year I'm going to do rice pillows and totes, I think....

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  5. i didn't know you were supposed to get gifts for therapists....i'm glad you posted this, lol...

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  6. I struggle with this every year. We have 3 therapists, a teacher, 3 aides, a bus driver and aide, and that is just for one of my 3 children. When you add in all my children's teachers I have 12 teacher gifts... even if I only do something for about $10 each that is a whopping $120... not that they don't deserve it, they do, but it is not really in the budget especially this year. I like the cookies and baking ideas, throw in some packets of hot chocolate and you have a mini pampering session. I was a teacher, so I try to do things they can use, enjoy and be done with. I still haven't figured out what to do with the three dozen coffee mugs I received over the years.

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  7. We've never really done the presents thing for therapists.

    I know it might sound mean, but as wonderful as they are, they are after all, just doing their jobs.

    I am a teacher and never expected gifts from students either.

    What I ALWAYS do, is write personalised Christmas cards in which I express our utmost thanks and appreciation and always mention a few particular things that they have done that have touched us and helped us in some way.

    This year, we're doing personalised Christmas cards with a picture of the boys.

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  8. Sephora gift cards are a girl's best friend!

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  9. Thanks for the thoughts/ideas, all. I think I have it in me to make fudge. And get Starbucks gift cards! It wouldn't be the holidays at our house if our presents didn't involve gift cards. :)

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  10. We go the baked goods route, and it's never complete until Josh(the little bro) draws something cute in their card! Voila!

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  11. This year I plan to also go the biscuit and chocolate route, easy and always welcome.

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  12. I understand the delema. Well last year I gave the teacher and aides a joint gift. I called it "The till June survival kit". I got a basket and filled it with hot cocoa, tea, instant coffee, chocolate, kotex pads, hand sanitizer, tylenol, cough drops, instant oatmeal, gum etc. They loved it! It was practical and I could pick up a few items a week.

    The drivers I do candy or baked goods. Sometimes a 5 dollar coffee card.

    The therapist although wonderful, I usually don't do. I did wait until the end of the year last year and gave them a little something(bear soap on a rope). This way I didn't feel the money crunch.

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Thanks for sharing!