lots2do

Some of my favorites have been a handpainted ceramic apple I keep matches in it, it has a lid and is so obviously painted by a child), a handpainted flowerpot that the child included my favorite bird on it (blue heron) came with a little plant that didn't make it but I still have the flowerpot on my kitchen windowsill holding odds and ends,a Staples gift card (not for too much but I could get a few things I needed for the classroom), a little jar (Mason jar type) with sewing things in it with a padded lid with sewing themed fabric - like a mini sewing kit that I could keep at school..
One thing I really don't need is another teacher mug although I've had a few that I've loved. And the person that posted about a note of appreciation - that would mean the world to me (have gotten a few over the years and if a copy went to my administrator, I wouldn't mind that at all.
A totebag would be appreciated, I think, if the person doesn't sew him or herself...
Hope this helps!

trueimage

I love that! The contrast with colors is crazy cool!

QuiltMania

The best "made" gift I ever got was when I was student teaching. They had taken a plain white throw pillow, divided it up into squares and had each kid decorate a part of the pillow with fabric markers. I would advise to stay away from tote bags (I have about a million of the things and, while any gift is appreciated, I really won't use all of them), mugs or things with apples. If I had my choice, I would best appreciate a gift certificate to a book store to improve my classroom library or a gift certificate to a teacher supply store or somewhere like Staples, Target, etc.

jetnica

i love gift certificates!!! my students got me a gift certificate to staples, and some of the parents went together and made a "spa basket" for me after hosting a tournament.

=) I agree -- a heartfelt note and a certificate to spend how I choose! =)

Joanie2

When my boys were young I gave them homemade book bags. They weren't fancy--made from home dec fabrics and looked like paper shopping bags but with long handles to hand on shoulders. It's been 12 years since I gave my older son's teacher a bag and I ran into her just recently. She says she took it to school with her every day for 7 years until she retired. She said it was the best gift she ever got as a teacher. The fancy bags are beautiful but sturdy bags are important to teachers.I still make those simple bags today for gifts to be used as grocery shopping bags. My friends love them. No pattern needed. Use your brown paper grocery sack as a sample and add straps.

Teacup

If you put "tote bag" in Search at the top of the page, you'll get lots of hits from things board members have posted. There are a LOT of free patterns available online.

Joan

When I was a teacher, I can't tell you how many mugs and boxes of chocolate (and me with a weight issue!) and other cutsie things that had no purpose at all. Having said that, I did appreciate the thought that went behind each and every gift and the fact that they recognized all the hard work teaching can be even so.

Consider a gift certificate or a holiday themed runner. I also loved the idea of pillow cases.

roseOfsharon

Smiling, I too think a small gift and a gift certificate would be great. Sometimes teacher's are overwhelmed with the same types of gifts year after year. I do think we all have good intentions, but times that by 20 to 30 kids and woot! that is a lot of stuff to keep over the years!

craftybear

cute wall hanging

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/sc...ng-pattern.htm

craftybear

cute table runner

http://sweetmummy.lifewithchrist.org...ink/31299.html