General Gift Ideas (An extension)

[MsCoffeeLover]

Not to take away from jsfowler's thread at all, but I could use a few ideas to show appreciation for our cafeteria and custodial staff. The last time the students and I made posters, all the kids signed it and said something really nice to everyone. It was a great thing, but even then, I want to show continued support.

These are the things I noticed about many of the things about the cafeteria and custodial crew:

Cafeteria staff: Not only do they feed me and the entire school, but they have a table just for us with extra goodies and sweetened and unsweetened tea. They just supplied me with a bunch of boxes for the recent move. Everyday when I go to pay, that wonderful lady gives me a napkin, cup, and a fork. She doesn't have to as all of that stuff is right there for the taking, but we just have that moment of conversation right there. I already have that spork/napkin combination in my hand, but she still makes sure I have what I need. They are really good to me and my kids. One of my kids is convinced that he got extra tater tots because he said "please" and "thank you," but he is such a cute kid. The cafeteria staff tells me that I have some pretty polite kids because I don't want any of my kids to "bite the hand that feeds them." However, if any of my kids are ever rude, I will take care of that.

Custodial staff: Oh my! Aside from the fact that they clean up after the entire school and gross kids, they do so much!! Whenever I have detention kids, depending upon the consequence, I give some of them work detail. One of the custodial staff will always take one of my kids when they don't have to at all. They are nicer than I would ever be, but the kids that get work detail are the ones I know who are allergic to it. I haven't had to lift a thing since I came to this school. They have come to move cabinets, pick up science kits, and brought me a few things just because I asked. It is not a priority for any of the things that I have asked for, but if I ask for it, it actually shows up. One of the custodial staff put air in my flat tire yesterday. All of them are just the nicest and most pleasant people.

There is one custodian that does more for me than a few others. He just happens to be assigned to the trailers, but he does so much more. He is an former marine, and is a man of few words. He gives instructions in one sentence, and the kids just follow it it, but is the nicest guy EVER! Occasionally, this man of few words will come up to one of the teachers and say something really nice about a student he observed. This student usually did something way out of the ordinary in terms of awesomeness. Does he have to say anything? No, but when he is impressed, he shares because he doesn't say much, but his version of not saying much in one sentence speaks volumes.

Everyone is just so good to me, but I can't afford individual things. Well, let me think of my baggies and quote thingies again, but I want to do something else.

WHAT CAN BE DONE? HELP!!

[jsfowler]

What about you and your students setting up a special dinner for them at the school. I don't know your school situation but we have a home ec room where we can prepare food and then decorate the eating area. I am sure your school would help with purchasing the food. Maybe even have a little program to go along with it. Students can make name cards that are also thank you notes. This could be a "night on the town" kind of event. They can bring their significant others and have a date. If they have children, maybe you could get some volunteers to watch the kids at the school while they are at their dinner. If you have a projection system, you could even set up a movie for them in the library. I think a relaxing night where they did not have to cook or clean would be a wonderful treat for them.

[Chef Dave]

As a culinary arts teacher, I often given any plated leftovers to the cafeteria workers. Both cafeteria workers and custodians also have free access to our beverage machines.

Last Christmas, I gave $20 Wal-Mart gift cards to each of our five night custodians along with a thank you card from our class. I gave a basket of cheese, smoked sausage, fresh fruit, and freshly baked cookies to our day custodian. I gave a $40 Wal-Mart gift card to my assistant manager.

Most recently, when our day custodian did some extra work in the culinary arts lab and kitchen, I baked him a fresh apple pie. I even decorated the crust, glazing it with egg whites and sugar and covering the top with pastry grape vines and leaves.

Of course ... I realize that I have always been a tad eccentric.

I like jsfowler's suggestion about a dinner.

Cards are nice but a pleasant meal would be a more substantial way of saying thank you.

Of course, a dinner could be difficult to organize given hot holding or reheating requirements. Participation could also be difficult as some cafeteria workers may have young children and/or part time jobs that could preclude them from their ability to attend this event.

A compromise solution would be to organize gift baskets for these employees. Get some decorative baskets at a dollar store and fill them with items that can be easily stored ... cookies, fruit, cheese, crackers, candy, and perhaps some really nice sandwiches or wraps.

Each gift basket could be accompanied by a separate thank you card.

[busbus]

One year when our staff did "Nutty Buddy" - a secret pal activity, one of my colleagues gave her pal a beautiful small basket of scented soaps. I said to her, "That gift cost more than the $2.00 maximum that we were to spend on these small gifts." She told me that it cost about $1.50. Later she told me how she did it. She had purchased some small baskets and some scented soaps at the dollar store. I think that the small basket came in a set of three, and the soaps were already wrapped. So she took leftover tissue paper and lined the basket, attractively arranged the soaps, wrapped it in colored plastic wrap and tied a pretty bow on it. As a final touch, she added a silk flower bud. Some of the things she used she had in her house, so she was able to keep her cost down.

Another "token" gift that I think is great is the mug. You could put almost anything in a mug. Plain white ones, you could put decals on them. I was given a mug filled with candy kisses. It was also wrapped in colored plastic. A little more than a third of the mug was filled with tissue paper then the candy was filled to just above the brim of the mug.

These are some ideas for cost-saving but attractive "token" gifts when there are many people to whom you want to give.

[MsCoffeeLover]

Thank y'all for ideas.

There are so many people to think about which is why I liked the poster and have the children sign and say something nice.

However, I am overly fond of the gift baggies loaded with candy and attaching quotes. The idea of bringing in a basket loaded with little gift bags for everyone on the custodial and cafeteria staff keeps popping up.

Of course, I also like the idea of individual cards from the kids too.

Oh well!! Something is going to happen soon!!

[eaglesaint02]

I think it would be great for the kids to make cards and posters for them, candy would be acceptable as well, but those handmade cards really show appreciation.

[hot_teacher]

I like the idea of the homemade cards. Explain to the students all the wonderful things the staff does for them and how terrible the school would be without them.