Those awkward Christmas gifts???

[mercygate]

What do you do with all the Christmas gifts your kids give you -- the scented candles in snowman pots, the hand lotion, the mugs and soaps (in battered boxes that betray the re-gift)?

Am I the only one who gets these things? Do the rest of you get stuff you can use, like a Starbucks gift card (I get those at the end of the year), or do you get this stuff that has to be somehow re-deployed? :idontknow:

WHAT do you do with the stuff you cannot use?

HELP!

[wig]

I give them to our local food bank or women's shelters.

[mercygate]

I give them to our local food bank or women's shelters.

Sounds like a plan!

[Karenrbw]

I have vowed never to get my kids' teacher that kind of useless junk. We go for things that they can use. One year we bought glass jars with snowmen on them and filled them with mints for all those scratchy winter throats. Last year it was a gross of pencils and a package of teacher stickers. We are in a rural area so gift certificates to Starbucks or something like that just isn't practical. They each have several teachers (band, regular classroom, art, librarian, music, counselor) so even a $10 gift certificate to the local grocery store would be expensive. At least these things they can use in the classroom and not have to spend their own money.

[Boxcar]

I also donate to the local charity-type places. A picture of the gift is taken, and I write a thank-you. I appreciate being thought of, and I want to remember who gave me what.

[Brit]

I like the idea of giving to a women's shelter. I can't think of anyplace that could use that stuff and appreciate it more. I may just load up my car after the last day and take everyone's unwanted things in!

honestly, I have re-regifted a nice box of candles and things like that. our staff has talked about doing a "tacky gift exchange" at the staff party where we'd use what we got -- one person's junk is another's treasure!

really, it's the sentiment that counts, right? not the gawd-aful ash-tray given to the non-smoker.

[Boxcar]

In some ways, preschool teachers are lucky. You can always put some non-glass items in Dramatic Play for the next year's class. (Just be careful not to let the child know! You may have to wait a bit or donate to another teacher you know.) Lotion can be used in Sensory activities. (Just be careful of children with sensitivities to scents.)

It is the thought that counts. You know, I wonder what the exchange cycle of a re-gift is? Have you ever done the thing with the dollar? You get about a hunderd singles, make a signicant but small mark on each, and spend them. Then, you wait to see if any ever come back to you.

[BuBerry3]

Ha! That is funny and probably so true. I know that I used to always get upset with my husband for wanting to regift but really, I think the joy should be had in giving to others, no matter what it is :)

[mercygate]

In some ways, preschool teachers are lucky. You can always put some non-glass items in Dramatic Play for the next year's class. (Just be careful not to let the child know! You may have to wait a bit or donate to another teacher you know.) Lotion can be used in Sensory activities. (Just be careful of children with sensitivities to scents.)

It is the thought that counts. You know, I wonder what the exchange cycle of a re-gift is? Have you ever done the thing with the dollar? You get about a hunderd singles, make a signicant but small mark on each, and spend them. Then, you wait to see if any ever come back to you.

Well, considering the condition of the tissue in the bag with the icky stinky snowman candle, I would say Frosty has been making the rounds for three or four years!

And it IS the thought that counts. One of my kids "thought" so much that he or she forgot to put his name on the card! Hey! I know who that is! The same kid who never puts his name on his papers!

[JennA]

My grade-level drafted a letter to parents saying that in lieu of personal gifts, they could by something for the classroom for everyone to use or a book to build up our classroom libraries. However, there were times that the darned sugar-cookie scented Frosty candle ended up on my desk! But I must agree, it is the thought that counts. Some kids really do take pride in selecting their presents.

I must admit that I have put some of the gifts I've received in the garage sale, since I didn't live in the town where I taught. Nobody ever knew, yet I still have some feelings of guilt.

I think I will donate my current stash of candles and mugs to Salvation Army!!

Merry Christmas!!

[dsmms]

At an elementary school that I worked at a few years ago, the teachers donated those unwanted gifts to the "santa shop" which is was a fundraiser where the kids could buy inexpensive gifts for friends and family. The glory of it was, it made money for the school and the parents got the cheesy gifts back! Ha! I always held onto mine for awhile so the gifts wouldn't be recognized. :)

[Boxcar]

I honestly think the sweetest gifts are the ones the children make themselves. At the end of the day, you are wearing about four paper hats, fifteen beaded necklaces, and a few pictures taped to you. It is hilarious!

[TeacherRW]

It all depends on the gift. I have used some of the coffee mugs for pen/pencil holders for the overhead markers, lost items, pens or pencils in our writing area, and/or holders for rubber bands, paperclips, or scissors. I have rarely gotten lotions that I don't like.. if so, I can usually unload it on one of my sisters. :) They don't mind. Other items "stay" for the year and then may be donated to charity at the end of the school year.

[dsmms]

Someone suggested that all the candy (that my hiney really doesn't need) can be donated to a food closet for the needy. I thought this was a great idea! Many churches around here take food donations - I am sure sweets would be welcome.

[Boxcar]

Or, you could save the candy to use as bribes for your students...

Er... Did I say "bribes"? I meant "motivational tools". ;)

[dsmms]

Or, you could save the candy to use as bribes for your students...

Er... Did I say "bribes"? I meant "motivational tools". ;)

I wish! We can't even give the students a mint durinig TCAPS!

[Boxcar]

I'm lucky. Preschool teachers can use food/cooking as a science activity. Children behave so well when they know that if they are good they can make the snack! They know if they don't show me they know how to handle the activity, they will have logical consequences.

Of course, the number of food allergies and restricitons can make cooking activities discourageing. There are so many little ones who don't eat certain dyes, grains, and sugar levels that your head whirls at it all. Most often, it is better to find another task that teaches the same things.

[David]

This year among the gifts I received were ten coffee mugs. These gifts are given by the children with all of their heart so I make a big fuss of each and every gift. I try to use the gifts as much as possible just to show the chidren that I do appreciate the thought behind the gift.

[Karenrbw]

My useless Christmas gifts seem to come from my family. Two identical gifts from my brother and mom, shirt way too big for hubby from brother, etc. Good thing we have a holiday party in a couple of weeks with a white elephant exchange.

[SiobhanMarie]

This year among the gifts I received were ten coffee mugs. These gifts are given by the children with all of their heart so I make a big fuss of each and every gift. I try to use the gifts as much as possible just to show the chidren that I do appreciate the thought behind the gift.

So you enjoy a minimum of ten cups of coffee/tea per day, each in a different mug? (: Lovely thought!

[David]

I have become ADHD Siobhan after drinking ten cups of coffee a day. I'll have to go back to the red cordial.

[MsCoffeeLover]

I am the queen of the regifts. However, I am also the queen of reduce, reuse, recycle, remake, and pay it forward. Everything can be used for something else or given to someone else. Some of the gifts were kept (coffee and Mint Milanos). Some were regifted. Some were given to a needy family. Some are quietly given to another student while no one is watching. Some are kept in the closet to be used for some craft project. Some are given to the MSD kids who now have their own school store in which to buy things.

And these are 7th graders.

[MissTeach]

I love the idea of buying something for the classroom instead of the teacher! That way the student has the pleasure of picking the present and the parent knows the present will be used! GREAT IDEA!!!