muggins
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,861
Jul 30, 2017 3:38:57 GMT
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Post by muggins on Jan 26, 2019 21:19:27 GMT
Since no one else in our school of thousands volunteered to organise the teacher appreciation lunch, I stepped up. Now, after seeing the giant folder of things to do, I’m very much regretting it.
One of the surprise jobs is ordering gifts for the staff - all 325 of them. Last year was a picnic blanket embroidered with the school logo and maybe a canvas tote bag the year before that.
So, any ideas of a gift that will be suitable for men and women of all ages? The only thing I’ve come up with so far is an umbrella (we’re in London, so it’ll be useful year round;))
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 30, 2024 11:32:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2019 21:25:18 GMT
Go with the umbrella, tee shirts or some sort of coat/rain jacket.
Although some people are now dead set against anything that school/work logos.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
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Post by trollie on Jan 26, 2019 21:25:49 GMT
An insulated lunch box would be nice
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
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Post by trollie on Jan 26, 2019 21:27:20 GMT
Or a customized hydroflask style beverage container
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Jan 26, 2019 21:34:30 GMT
A nice scarf. Lunch tote/cooler. Insulated water bottle, a good quality one like Hydroflask.
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Post by teach4u on Jan 26, 2019 21:36:14 GMT
yeti coffee /tea tumbler gc to teachers pay teacher or the like sharpies/highlighters/pens
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
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Post by trollie on Jan 26, 2019 21:46:59 GMT
Not sure what your budget is, but maybe you could give each teacher a dollar amount, have them buy something for their classroom and then submit their receipt for reimbursement. Most teachers spend their personal $$$ on classroom items, so this would be a nice gift if they are wanting/needing something for their classroom.
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Post by wandawoman on Jan 26, 2019 22:03:00 GMT
We were given umbrellas many years ago. I have been retired for sixteen years and still use mine. With the school name on it, no one ever gets confused and thinks it's theirs.
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Post by mustlovecats on Jan 26, 2019 22:14:37 GMT
I did stainless tumblers and had a logo put on them.
I would enjoy a good quality canvas tote bag like the LL Bean ones although you did say you had already done that... an insulated lunch box isn’t a bad idea...
You can NEVER have too many umbrellas in my world!
Warm gloves were a nice one a few years ago.
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Post by mrssmith on Jan 26, 2019 22:31:01 GMT
I like the umbrella idea. Or the idea of giving a small budget to each teacher for his/her class for books or whatever. A lot of people don't want more stuff.
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TheOtherMeg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,541
Jun 25, 2014 20:58:14 GMT
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Post by TheOtherMeg on Jan 26, 2019 22:32:27 GMT
We have teachers in my family and they love gift cards. They spend so much of their own money on classroom supplies, and receive so many trinkets/gifts, that, frankly, gift cards are very much appreciated.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,997
Location: Northern Virginia
Aug 7, 2014 22:09:44 GMT
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Jan 26, 2019 22:35:09 GMT
As a former teacher, some of the staff appreciation gifts I've been given in the past include: - lunch tote personalized with initial - clipboard with school logo - tote bag with school logo - crystal wine/bottle stopper (personalized with etched initial) - personalized stationary (note cards)
Some of my teacher friends have also received: - water bottles and/or travel coffee mug with logo or initial - small wooden cutting board (like the type for cheese) with laser cut initial
Of all of those, my favorite was the lunch tote and the clipboard.
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Post by anniefb on Jan 26, 2019 22:46:59 GMT
What sort of budget do you have?
Examples of gifts I've received from my employer (I work in a law firm) include small hampers, a Blunt umbrella, waterproof picnic blanket, wine selection box, a mohair throw, set of BBQ tools, and a gift card to a local supermarket.
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sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,652
Jun 27, 2014 14:04:01 GMT
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Post by sweetpeasmom on Jan 26, 2019 23:22:17 GMT
What about a portable charger for their phones/tablets? Maybe branded w/the school logo.
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,502
Aug 28, 2015 22:31:17 GMT
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Post by AmandaA on Jan 26, 2019 23:51:33 GMT
I think there are lots of good ideas here, but giving them something for their classroom or a gift card to buy things for the classroom for teacher appreciation!? I am well aware that teachers do a lot for their rooms and their students with their own money (and I don’t think they should have to be in the position to do so... but another discussion entirely), but to substitute that for a gift showing your appreciation for them feels very tacky IMO. FWIW I like the umbrella and the portable battery/charger for a device ideas the best.
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 27, 2019 0:12:47 GMT
I volunteer and get all kinds of stuff. My favorite thing I got was a set of sticky notes in a hard cover spiral (think tiny notebook). There are strips of stickies as well as a little larger set of stickies in five different colors. I keep mine either in my car or purse. I use them a lot. They came from China.
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
Jun 26, 2014 23:17:22 GMT
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Post by LeaP on Jan 27, 2019 0:22:03 GMT
My daughters' school gave out folding chairs with the school logo. They went over well.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,789
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jan 27, 2019 0:37:59 GMT
I wanna work at the schools that get cool stuff! My district is pretty low income and we usually get a scratcher. LOL
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
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Post by trollie on Jan 27, 2019 1:35:04 GMT
I think there are lots of good ideas here, but giving them something for their classroom or a gift card to buy things for the classroom for teacher appreciation!? I am well aware that teachers do a lot for their rooms and their students with their own money (and I don’t think they should have to be in the position to do so... but another discussion entirely), but to substitute that for a gift showing your appreciation for them feels very tacky IMO. FWIW I like the umbrella and the portable battery/charger for a device ideas the best. It is appreciation, because they are getting something for their classroom, of their choosing, without having to spend their own money. Less one size fits all and more you get to pick what you want. ::::shrug:::::
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,502
Aug 28, 2015 22:31:17 GMT
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Post by AmandaA on Jan 27, 2019 2:05:49 GMT
I think there are lots of good ideas here, but giving them something for their classroom or a gift card to buy things for the classroom for teacher appreciation!? I am well aware that teachers do a lot for their rooms and their students with their own money (and I don’t think they should have to be in the position to do so... but another discussion entirely), but to substitute that for a gift showing your appreciation for them feels very tacky IMO. FWIW I like the umbrella and the portable battery/charger for a device ideas the best. It is appreciation, because they are getting something for their classroom, of their choosing, without having to spend their own money. Less one size fits all and more you get to pick what you want. :: ::: We will have to agree to disagree on this one... in my book providing a teacher with the supplies they need and want isn’t how you show them appreciation for their hard work. It is how they should be treated everyday. Sometimes it is the thought that counts, even if it is a one size fits all gift. Did I get some pretty useless stuff that wasn’t what I would have picked out during Nurses Week? Sure, but I knew it was a thoughtful gesture. If they would have used that money to buy more gloves and masks and put a bow on it for me, I would have been pretty offended.
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dantemia
Full Member
Posts: 315
Jun 27, 2014 19:28:17 GMT
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Post by dantemia on Jan 27, 2019 2:13:09 GMT
A phone battery/car charger
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Post by Tamhugh on Jan 27, 2019 2:13:56 GMT
Last year at my school, we were given a small fleece blanket that rolled up tight with straps. It has the school logo on it, is very soft, and is the perfect size for taking to sporting events, etc.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
Jul 2, 2014 22:14:02 GMT
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Post by trollie on Jan 27, 2019 2:14:08 GMT
It is appreciation, because they are getting something for their classroom, of their choosing, without having to spend their own money. Less one size fits all and more you get to pick what you want. :: ::: We will have to agree to disagree on this one... in my book providing a teacher with the supplies they need and want isn’t how you show them appreciation for their hard work. It is how they should be treated everyday. Sometimes it is the thought that counts, even if it is a one size fits all gift. Did I get some pretty useless stuff that wasn’t what I would have picked out during Nurses Week? Sure, but I knew it was a thoughtful gesture. If they would have used that money to buy more gloves and masks and put a bow on it for me, I would have been pretty offended. Doesn't have to be basic supplies, could be classroom decor, something useful for their desk or something fun that they want for the classroom. IMO, knowing that teachers spend their own cash and letting them pick something and not have to spend their own cash, shows that you appreciate that fact. Of course, still spend some money on a luncheon or thoughtful card.
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luckyjune
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,687
Location: In the rainy, rainy WA
Jul 22, 2017 4:59:41 GMT
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Post by luckyjune on Jan 27, 2019 3:08:45 GMT
I must say, I'm pretty impressed with these teacher appreciation gifts! Ours are usually food related: a candy bar in our box, "meet us in the staff room for root beer floats" or taco bar for lunch.
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Post by Really Red on Jan 27, 2019 3:21:57 GMT
It would help to know your budget, but I like the portable charger idea. I also like the idea of a tote bag. How about a gift card to a local grocery store? Maybe a pub I am also impressed with the size of your school - 325 people!! Wow! Good luck!
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,709
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jan 27, 2019 3:24:10 GMT
We will have to agree to disagree on this one... in my book providing a teacher with the supplies they need and want isn’t how you show them appreciation for their hard work. It is how they should be treated everyday. Sometimes it is the thought that counts, even if it is a one size fits all gift. Did I get some pretty useless stuff that wasn’t what I would have picked out during Nurses Week? Sure, but I knew it was a thoughtful gesture. If they would have used that money to buy more gloves and masks and put a bow on it for me, I would have been pretty offended. Doesn't have to be basic supplies, could be classroom decor, something useful for their desk or something fun that they want for the classroom. IMO, knowing that teachers spend their own cash and letting them pick something and not have to spend their own cash, shows that you appreciate that fact. Of course, still spend some money on a luncheon or thoughtful card. I agree with the other poster. Nobody gives their office work related items during Boss appreciation day, and I’ve never seen a secretary gifted staples and paper clips during their appreciation week either. To the OP; if you get umbrellas, please get a sturdy golf, oversized umbrella. Every teacher who has ever stood outside during a rainy day dismissal will thank you. I take my school umbrella everywhere. Favorite gift ever. Even have rain boots and a rain coat that matches 😂
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 30, 2024 11:32:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2019 3:29:20 GMT
What about a portable battery bank for their phones?
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,691
Location: Ohio
Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on Jan 27, 2019 4:56:31 GMT
I love a good power bank.
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Post by Legacy Girl on Jan 27, 2019 5:44:28 GMT
We did large golf umbrellas in the school colors with the school logo a couple of years ago, and we're still hearing rave reviews from the teachers. They loved them! And the PTO has started selling them to students and families as part of our fundraising efforts ever since. I say go with the umbrellas -- I don't think you'll regret it.
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Post by katlaw on Jan 27, 2019 6:07:43 GMT
My two favourite items I have gotten are a good quality duffle bag with the work logo but small and classy. And a backpack.
I like the idea of an umbrella.
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