Inexpensive Christmas Gifts for Your Child's Teachers

Whether your child goes go pre-school or grade school they generally have more than one teacher. It can get pretty expensive to get gifts for two, three and sometimes four teachers. If you have more than one child you may have to double the gifts which could mean as many as eight Christmas gifts. Here are some inexpensive ideas that I've used for my own children's teachers that will cost anywhere from ten to twenty dollars per teacher. Inexpensive gifts don't have to be cheap looking.

Pasta Bowls or Baskets-

Purchase a large Pasta Bowl, you know the ones with the word "pasta" written in the center and fill it with all the items to make a nice Italian dinner; i.e., fancy Novelty Pasta shaped like trees or angels, a nice jar of sauce, some bread sticks, pepperoni or some fancy looking Olive Oil and a small box of chocolate or other nice candy, use tinsel for filler in the bowl. Wrap bowl in clear Cellophane wrap, tie with bow. If you want to do this for all the teachers, get baskets at your dollar store they are less expensive then pasta bowls, fill and wrap with cellophane.

Variations:

Manicure Basket-

Purchase items for a manicure: nail clipper, emery boards, nail polish remover, hand cream a neutral colored face cloth, and a few bottles of nail polish; keep the colors warm unless you know that the teacher likes louder colors. Arrange all items in a basket and wrap.

Cookie or Muffin Mixes-

Again, get a nice basket or a nicely decorated holidaybox and place two packages of cookie or muffin mix inside using tinsel for filler. Add a Whisk, a set of holiday pot holders and a package of cocoa mix or small box of flavored tea. Tie box with pretty ribbon and bow, wrap basket in cellophane.

Ornaments-

A holiday ornament is always a nice idea for teachers' just don't get "World's Greatest Teacher" its overplayed. Instead purchase a beautiful ornament that can be hung on the teacher's tree year after year that she or he and his family will enjoy for years to come.

Gift Certificates -

Classroom supplies -since teachers' often spend their own money on classroom supplies, think about a gift certificate to a craft store or Teacher Supplies Store; even just a twenty dollar certificate is helpful to a teacher who is paying for supplies from their own pockets. This could be an idea that other class mom's might like to join in on.

A gift certificate to a Restaurant or Spa is another idea but because this can be a little pricey it is best used as a group gift.

Books-

Books are another great gift for teachers; give a gift certificate to a book store. Reading preference is a personal choice. If the classroom has its own library you could purchase books to help fill the teacher's class library.

A nice Calendar or Date Books for the coming year is another good idea that is relatively inexpensive.

Whatever choice you make as a gift for the teacher should be a thoughtful one. Chances are if you wouldn't want the gift neither will they.