Show Us Your Life - Best Teacher Gifts

Over the last several years having Davey in preschool I have learned a little about what teachers want and don't want for gifts during those special occasions such as Halloween, Christmas, Valentines, Easter, Teacher appreciation Day, OR End of Year.  At first I started out giving a small plant in a very nice planter, then I started giving a little goody bag of assorted things like lotions, candies, small trinket of the holiday.  However, when Davey was in his second year of preschool (3 yrs old) the director put out a wish list for each teacher and it finally dawned on me that just like myself they have NEEDS and don't need to come home with a bunch of stuff they may never use or like.  So HERE is my list of gift suggestions for teachers:

•  Gift Certificate to a MAJOR store in your area, such as Walmart, Target, Staples or other office supply store, Grocery store, OR even a bookstore.  This way the teacher can use the gift certificate for what they really want.
• Along with a gift certificate for the teacher I also either give a great children's book or provide a Scholastic GC for the classroom, this way she can add to the classroom library.
• Finally, at Christmas time ONLY, I give these gift certificates in a goody tin filled with cookies and treats that Davey (and some day Jonathan) have helped to make.  Part of the decoration of the tin includes a Christmas ornament that Davey has either picked out of his teacher or one he has made.

What do you like to give to your kids teachers?