I like the idea of the homemade gifts! That is a good idea.

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Mommy to Ariana 8/11/01 & Davis 4/11/05
I love my kiddos!

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I personally would rather have something handmade. One year I cross-stitched all of my sons preschool teachers and aides a bookmark with their name on it, they loved it! Each one cost about $3.00/ I have taken bread baskets from Big Lots and add a dishtowel, tied it with a big bow for an inexpensive gift. I have already started my shopping as well and I 'm trying to see how cheap I can do Christmas this year without feeling like I'm giving a cheap present.

Take care
Michelle

I think it sounds like a really nice gift!

That said, I do agree w/ the poster that said that even homemade gifts add up! I have decided that the best I can do is to send cards to all the extra teachers with nice notes in them. I do send gifts to my boys regular teacher and the bus driver.

I think homemade gifts are the best bet as well. You could even have your children make the gifts themselves for their teachers. It could be a craft project or something creative like that. Maybe a Christmas ornament or something. Just a thought.

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Jennifer

IMO the gift sounds super nice and thoughtful! I decided last year that we will only be giving cards to teachers adn the like. they are sent with the treat we always send for the holiday party. We are simplifying and don't want to add to anyone elses clutter.

I think your gift sounds thoughtful and useful. They could use your jelly and crackers at an open house or with company. I think they would appreciate your gift!

Marlene

I have been a teacher for four years now. I don't get a lot of gifts, but some of the best ones I have gotten include: homemade felt-backed coasters and /or a small gift bag filled with markers, colored pencils, or stickers to use in the classroom. Some of the most appreciated gifts I have given to my son's teachers are inexpensive board games for indoor recess. Teachers really get tired of all the "apple themed" gifts. Follow your heart and don't stress too much about this. Hope I helped.

Thank you so much for your responses. My son was a preemie and has some issues, so he's been in this preschool class since May 2006. The teachers, aides and therapists are wonderful. Next year (2008) he'll be in Kindergarten so I'm thinking of stopping the Christmas machine at that point. Throughout the year I give Clorox wipes, paper towels, paper plates and utensils to the classroom so I guess I shouldn't feel guilty about cutting out the gift cards. I'm sticking with the jellies and crackers this year. My mom makes the jellies every year so her and I are going to split the cost of supplies. I'm going to have my son decorate brown paper lunch bags and that's what they will go into. Next year he'll be old enough to make something special or make his own cards.

I was a teacher and always ate the homemade stuff! I loved getting homemade cookies, jams, etc. I never even thought about "germs." My assumption is if its cooked, its probably OK. The teachers I worked with liked the homemade food. Go for it.

I am a teacher and I would have to say that homemade gifts are great. I teach high school, so I don't get many gifts, but one of my favorites was a card with an instant lottery ticket in it. I thought that was great! I would have your son create the cards out of the materials you have around the house because it will show that you were truely thinking about them! I say go with your jams and jellies! Good Luck

Erin