Teacher/Staff Appreciation Gift - need your opinion

[ikebana]

Hi all! I need to ask your opinion on what to give my 1st grade son's Teacher and Aides for staff appreciation week. My son is 7 and is attending a special ed school. They really do a lot and next week is staff appreciation week. I am thinking of making either the hershey nuggets on the hinged tin OR a set of five all occasion notecards with envies. Please help me decide which of the two would be much more "appreciated".

Thanks in advance!

[cbet]

I'm not a teacher or an aide, but I'll give my opinion for what it's worth . . .

Myself, I'd love the nugget tins, but I'm a total chocolate fiend. I also think that teachers, etc. get lots of food/treat type gifts and would probably really appreciate the cards. And who doesn't use cards!

[not2shabbydesigns]

Both sound like GREAT gifts and I know both will be greatly appreciated. And eventhough the cards will be unique and special and one of a kind, cards are still available to buy for everyone. So my vote is for the nuggets tin. Where will they find something so unique? Unless they have another crafting mother (but the chances are probably slim don't you think)? The nuggets tin will probably really wow them because it is not easily found and they may have never seen one.

But whatever you decide, they will love it.

[smhtwin]

Hi Tina!

Good for you to do something nice for your son's teacher and aides :p

They are such special people that help our kiddos so much!

I say go with the nugget tins.

Like what has been posted before, they can get cards just about anywhere but the tins would be a fun handmade thing I bet they will love.

[craftymomto2]

I would go with note cards, I think that is something they could use for sending notes, thanks you, etc.

[CardLadyToo]

I'll jump in here - I would go with a set of cards and instead of the tin - just make a 2 or 4 piece nugget box! By the time I got into stamping my girls were already past giving teacher gifts........

[geogymnast82]

I've talked to friends who teach high school and they're thrilled to get anything since by that time, most kids don't give their teachers anything. They have a ton of teachers and many families get overwhelmed by that point and don't do anthing. All the ones I've talked to are just happy to be recongized in any way. I've done the candy, personalized notebooks, cards, etc. and those I've heard back from said they loved them. Now, if they actually ever used them (except for a few I know of), I have no idea. I think you making and giving them anything is a sign of thanks they don't get often. Every teacher my kids have had love chocolate, so you can't really go "wrong" with that one unless of course they're allergic!

[pjw2855]

I would go for a nice set of cards and coordinating envelopes. Chocolate is not such a big thing. People may be dieting, alergic or just not like candy. I personally would prefer the cards/envelopes set (if I were not able to make them myself). These things last much longer and have more meaning. Candy is gone in a flash or not eaten at all.

Just my opinion.

Patti

[bound4london]

I vote the cards--homemade cards just make me smile! But what ever you do I know that they will appreciate it because it comes from you with love.

[kilroy]

It seems like, at least where I live, teacher morale is at an all time low, and any thank you is appreciated. As a retired high school teacher, I agree that most of the time we don't get any extras from the students. It was always such a nice surprise to get something, even just a card from a parent or student. As far as your idea, if I were sending a gift, it would be the cards. Thank you for thanking a teacher.

[ikebana]

A BIG thank you to all who shared their opinions. I'd love to hear more.

I know that these two ideas I have will never be enough to compensate for what the Teachers do day in day out to our kids, especially for mine who has special needs.

[sillyfilly]

I am not a teacher. I think its wonderful you are taking time out to recognize your child's teacher. These men and women have your children in their care to teach them and mold their lives. They are such an important role model in our children's lives. They are not paid well, they are so over worked, understaffed and then in our economy they are constantly worring if their job will be there next year. So I think whatever you chose to make for them will probably make their day!

[Stamper for fun]

What I would do is give male teachers/aids the tin and female ones the cards.

[scrappy knitter]

As a teacher, what I have always appreciated most are cards that the child (or parent) has written a personal message in to me. These I have kept, and I've been teaching for about 12 years. I also have really appreciated things made by the child him/herself. I have all of these too.

[Bunnychickadee]

My vote is for the cards but I'm sure they will appreciate either.

[cojo]

I am a Special Ed. aide and I often make cute baskets/boxes with candy inside for my co-workers - they love them. When we are having a tough day chocolate really helps!

[mopsandt]

I give my child's Special Ed teachers and aide's gifts a few times a year. Last year for year end I made 2 teachers and 2 special ed teachers all occasion cards. They LOVED them, when I see them this year they still tell me how much they like and use them.

I agree that candy is great but taste varies and diets etc. I usually give it for Valentine's though and have seen it a month afterward on a teachers desk. Sooo check out this site for these or other great ideas, there are so many good ones o choose from.