You know, this probably sounds scroogy, but i just don't give gifts to all those people. I know folks that give to thier mailman, newpaper boy and hair person, neighbors, where does it end?? I do love and respect my kids teachers, but I simply cannot afford to give like that. Even 5.00 gift cards add up- if you are giving to teachers, coaches, band directors, scout leaders.

I do think homeade items can be a good gift, and, if packaged nicely, in a cute basket, with alot of ribbon, can really look nice for homemade. The problem with this, is by the time you buy the ingredients, and then the basket and ribbon ( even if you get it at the dollar store) you probably spend the same as you would if you got gift cards.

Just to also let you know that my sis is a teacher and she NEVER EVER eats anything homeade- into the trash it goes. She has sort of a I dunno.. phobia about homemade things- I guess she's seen the condition of some people's kitchens. People let thier cats walk on counters and are less than hygenic sometimes. Of course I'm not implying you are cruddy- but some folks are, and since she has no idea who is who, she tosses all homeade goods in the trash.

If I were you, I'd probably go in to wal-mart and have a bi ol huge package of pictures taken at thier portrait studio. ( they give you a whole pile for pretty cheap) and give those out with christmas cards to everyone you know. In the card, write a personal message about how influential and special they are to your son. I know I would perfer this sort of govt over homeade jams or trinkets. I'm a very practical person though.

You will find, as your child gets older, he will have loads of teachers in his life, and you simply cannot give to them all. In middle school the kids have EIGHT teachers- and even moreif they do sports, orchestra, ect. I simply cannot give to all those teachers. A card will have to suffice. My sis, who I said was a teacher says that she never ever expects any gifts from parents or students, and is never offended if they don't give her one. She does like pictures and cards though.

Unplug the christmas machine girlfriend.