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If you're looking for creative Christmas gift ideas for your childcare teachers and staff, I’m here to help!

Before we get started on Christmas gift ideas, If you're new here, My name is Dena, and I have been a center director for 21 years and love what I do, but it is WORK! My goal is to help other providers with their child care programs and help relieve the stress that the daycare world brings.

Don't forget to snag my FREE Interview Guide to hire the right staff for your daycare or child care center! Reduce turnover with my 12-page Interview Guide with Questions and Job Position Descriptions designed for child care hiring!

Now for the fun! 'Tis the season to appreciate the wonderful teachers who make a difference every day! If you're on the lookout for budget-friendly Christmas ideas, I've got you covered. Here are nine thoughtful yet affordable suggestions:

Here are 9 Budget Friendly Christmas Gifts For Your Teachers & Staff this year!

1. Bonuses

   So this can get expensive, but if you can give bonuses, you can’t go wrong with cash. I try to give $50 to every person who has been employed with us for less than a year and $100 for those with us for more than 1 year. You can add $25 for every year employed. you can raise or lower the amounts to suit your budget. The options are endless.

2. Gift Cards

   If you have a small budget and $20 cash seems too small of a bonus, try giving a $20 gift card instead. A gift card to their favorite store or coffee shop is a nice surprise and will definitely brighten their holidays.

3. Personalized Gifts

   Everyone loves getting a bag or cup with their name or initials on it. Etsy is a great way to custom order personalized gifts.

4. Breakfast

   Treat everyone to donuts and coffee one morning. Post a sign that says “donut what we’d do without you” or have McDonald’s or Chick-Fil-A’s hot chicken biscuits ready when they arrive to work. Yum!

5. Cookies & Cocoa

Offer everyone a surprise mid-day pick me up! Treat everyone to yummy cookies and hot chocolate or coffee. Offer it during the children’s nap time when everyone has a minute to enjoy!

Post a sign that says “thank you for making our kids such smart cookies”.

6. Handwritten Card & Lottery Ticket

I love this one! Take time to write everyone a personalized hand-written card and express what you love about each person. Really take your time to make it heart-felt and individualized for each staff member or teacher. It may take a couple of hours, but it will be worth it!

Include a P.S. at the bottom of the card and write “I really hit the JACKPOT working with you and I hope you hit it too.“ or “Wishing you a LOTTO Christmas Cheer and a Happy New Year.” Include a lottery ticket or scratch off. It can be $1, $2, $5, or whatever you can afford to spend.

7. PTO (Paid Time Off)

Everyone loves paid time off. Give each teacher a paid personal day to be used when they choose. Be sure and specify that a 2-week notice or 30-day notice is required. You can make up a cute voucher to give out or simply write it on a Christmas card.

8. Goodie Bags

Make each teacher a goodie bag. Here are a few inexpensive things you could include: candy, chocolates, hand-made cookies, scratch-offs, mini hand sanitizers, travel size hand lotions, chapsticks, “lunch on me” vouchers, nail polish, etc.

The dollar store has amazing goodies you can include. Attach a gift tag to each bag that reads “A special treat for a teacher so sweet!” You can download free gift tags here!

9. Gift Baskets

Fill a basket with spa items or a large candle and bath bombs. Every woman loves a good gift basket full of goodies! If you don’t have the time to make your own baskets, Amazon has some beautifully “done-for-you” gift baskets that are inexpensive and can be shipped to your door or your staff’s house within 2 days.

Conclusion:
I hope you found these ideas helpful and I hope you find some way to celebrate your teachers this Christmas!
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