<p>As a teacher, I love gift cards. Please don’t assume everyone loves Starbucks. I get so many of them every year and end up giving them to friends or neighbors…don’t like coffee or anything else that Starbucks sells. I’m sure I’m not the only one on the planet who feels this way.</p>
<p>I love movie gift cards. They are my most favorite. Amazon.com gift cards are great too since they have everything you can think of. Restaurant cards are good but you always run the risk of giving someone one that they don’t like (see Starbucks comment above).</p>
<p>I just ordered an ebay gift certificate for nephew in TX. I hope they work well. It seemed like a good way to get flexibility.</p>
<p>For niece I got Kohl’s gift card. For other nephew (and wife) I sent Target gift card - that way they can use for “stuff” or food they might not normally splurge for. Either could work for a teacher.</p>
<p>My son very carefully selected books for 3 favorite hs teachers at graduation. One of the teachers opened hers and mentioned that she already had it - he then had to track down the receipt and exchange it. It would have seemed kinder for her to just say it was a good choice … and then give it away to a friend or use as a class prize.</p>
<p>wow, the teacher told your S she already had it? That was just rude and unkind to your S.<br>
Should have taken it back and not given her anything! Believe me when I say I have hugged every kid whose Mom brought me a Starbucks card and thanked them profusely because it is after all the thought behind the gift that really counts.</p>
<p>When DS was in elementary school, we used to give “salad baskets” - included items like olive oil, specialty vinegar, fresh herbs, lemon, etc. It could be packed in a large salad bowl.</p>
<p>I got a ‘Massage Envy’ gift card for a teacher who wrote a lot of recommendations. My D said that the teacher was very happy. (She is in her 60’s and thought it would be perfect for her).
Still debating what to give to the GC. Thinking of a gift card that could be used at one of 2 local restuarants (one a sea food place and another a steak place), hope that works.
Also thinking of an Apple store gift card for another teacher who seems to be in love with Apple stuff.</p>
<p>How about cash folded artfully into some origami form along with a personally written, heartfelt thank you note & photo of kid? I hate all the gift certificates & gift cards with varying expiration days. Have to keep track of all of their different dates and terms, as well as the fees. Can be hard to use some of them as well.</p>