Every year my friends ask me the same question. What do I get my kid's teachers for the holidays?

Holiday themed gifts
It's important to remember that not all teachers celebrate the same holidays that your family might celebrate. I have teacher friends who don't celebrate Christmas, but they might put snowmen in their class for the children. They will often get candy, or decorations that they simply put in the trash later. Gifts that are holiday themed are generally not a good idea unless you know the teacher celebrates.

Baked Goods

This seems like such a thoughtful gift. Sending your child's teacher a gift from your kitchen just makes parents feel all warm inside. To be totally honest with you, I don't think I've ever eaten anything a child has brought me. The holidays are filled with cookies, sweets, and pies. Parents should always remember that the teacher can't leave these things in a classroom and well, there is only so much room in your thighs for more cookies.

Candles/Perfume/Ties/Pins
I lump these together because so many kids want to buy their teacher something special. I admit that I have gotten a couple of candles over the years that I've used and enjoyed. If you know your teacher loves candles, and you know the scent they prefer, then by all means go for it! This is the same for the other gifts.

What is tough as a teacher is when the child asks why you don't wear the perfume or pin. It's hard to know a teacher's personal taste.

Items for the classroom
Most parents don't realize that the teacher purchases the personal items in the class. Those adorable stickers, the great stamps, the reward bookmarks, all of those are normally purchased from the teachers pocket. One of the best gifts a teacher can receive is a gift certificate to the local teacher supply warehouse. New teachers need ooks, so donations to a class library, posters or colored pencils make very thoughtful gifts.

A teacher will be thankful for any gift they are given. The item is not as important as the hug that normally comes with it!