Making Fudge for My Children's Teachers and Bus Drivers for Christmas Gifts

@schulzie (4061)
United States
December 20, 2012 11:53pm CST
About an hour ago I started making some peanut butter fudge as gifts for my children's teachers and bus drivers. I try to do this every year as a small gift to show my appreciation for them helping my children throughout the year. I was speaking with my cousin tonight about doing this and she said that she used to bake cookies and make fudge for them but has started giving out gift cards instead. It really never occured to me to give gift cards instead but this really sounded like a great idea to me. It would definitely be easier and quicker to do that. She said she gets gift cards to either the movie theaters or Starbucks or Kohls or something similar. What do you think? Do you get gifts for your children's teachers or their bus drivers? I really can't afford alot and am wondering how much the gift cards should be for? I have 3 kids in school so it can add up quite quickly! Do you think the children's teachers or bus drivers actually eat the fudge or cookies I make or do you think they throw them out? I hate to go to all the effort and expense and then have someone throw it out. Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
3 people like this
6 responses
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
23 Dec 12
We don't have a Starbucks close, but I buy a $5 Subway card. If nothing else it will get them one of the Footlong subs that are on special. I have heard them all say that they go there. I do know that some of the teachers are afraid to eat things from some families. If they know you well, they probably keep it.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Dec 12
I think they do eat it and probably enjoy it more then you know! Its homemade and you put your time and part of your heart into making the fudge! My sister gives out chex mix to the people she works with at school and she said they all love it. I gave pumpkin muffins to a single guy at work and he thanked me twice yesterday!
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
21 Dec 12
Wow, this is a situation that needs an well thought out answer to. I used to do the same thing. It seems that alot of people are afraid to eat things that others make because of a possible allergic reaction. I like the fudge and cookie idea because it is something that is personal and caring. But on the upside a gift card won't wreck a diet or if they are diabetic it won't be tempting for them to eat. On the downside it seems impersonal. And really it probably cost more then a candle set to make or buy.. I think finding out something that they collect would be nice to give, or as I said candles.
@AmbiePam (85295)
• United States
21 Dec 12
My mom always got gifts for us to give our teachers and bus drivers.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
21 Dec 12
My knee-jerk reaction was no, don't give gift cards. But in this era of paranoia about everything from poisoned OTC aspirin to flesh-eating germs, I would say that they would appreciate gift cards more. I would give them cards to local theaters or Visa gift cards or cards from your local grocery chain. Not Starbucks, who can afford to go there?! Heck, a $5 gift card probably wouldn't even buy a cup of coffee in that place--and they burn their beans, I can't abide Starbucks coffee. If money is tight you could always write a letter to the driver/teacher telling them how much difference they are making in your child's life and send a copy to the school board so that they know their employees are doing a great job. At the bottom of the letter put "cc: AnyPlace School Board" so that they know you've passed on the compliments. Print it out and sign it, send a copy to the school board. These wonderful people rarely get anything on paper said about them and it could result in a promotion, a merit pay raise, or even just official expression of appreciation which is a really great Christmas gift!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
22 Dec 12
As much as I personally would love to get homemade goodies for Christmas, I've actually heard that a lot of teachers don't eat the goodies that their students bring in to them because they aren't sure about the ingredients and cooking habits of the families. A lot of the teachers that I know say that they would rather receive a gift card than an ornament, coffee mug, homemade goodies, etc. As far as how much a gift card should be, I think that five dollars would be sufficient because your children are not the only students that the teachers and bus drivers have.