Teacher Gifts......

This is a tough one for family's ever holiday season. I am not a fan of cute little teacher gifts. I think teachers get so many things they can not use and parents give those things out of feeling they need to give something. It is a waste of money for the family. My favorite thing to give is gift cards. They come in every dollar amount so you can always find one you can afford. Who couldn't use a gas card these days but who need one more ornament or some home made cookies that will most likely get throw away. If you want to let your kids make something for the teacher here are a few sites with ideas.
Easy Christmas Gifts for Teachers: Choosing Creative, Inexpensive Holiday Gifts Teachers Will Cherish
http://ar.voicefive.com/p19034702/invite/invite.htm?PRAd=1&AR_C=2&site=502&location=http%3A%2F%2Ffamilyfun.go.com%2Farts-and-crafts%2Fseason%2Fspecialfeature%2Fdoca0503_teachergifts%2F&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fhl%3Den%26ie%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DX%26oi%3Dspell%26resnum%3D0%26ct%3Dresult%26cd%3D1%26q%3Dhomemade%2Bteacher%2Bchristmas%2Bgifts%26spell%3D1&1197313768625&frequency=1
Looking for Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas
101 Great Gifts to Make - Christmas Gift Ideas and Projects
I also give to my kids bus drivers... last year I gave a gift card for a free sandwich at a local sandwich shop, a can of soda and a bag of chips all neatly wrapped in a holiday bag with a note to enjoy lunch on our family. My DS even has 2 therapists he sees at school. I give them gift cards to Dunkin Donuts. What do you give your children's teachers??

Monday......

Perfect Litter - free sample
Swingline Day-Timer and Wilson Jones Gift Pack - free sample
TeenFreeway - Life's a Beach Sweeps! - nice give-a-way but your birthdate has to make you a teen!
Pure Essentials - free sample
Seen at Target: Bottles of Resolve Dual Power Spot Carpet Cleaner with TMF hangtag up to $6.19. No form needed! Send original dated receipt 8/1/07 - 12/31/07 with price circled and name, address and email on a 3x5 card to:Resolve Dual Power Refund; Box 1199Grand Rapids, MN 55745-1199
The Weather Channel WS-7390TWC Wall Hanging Wireless Weather Station - good gift for those who have everything!
Hasbro Playskool Kid Motion Bounce 'N Go Inch-Along - excellent price on a classic toy!!
Hasbro Dream Town Rose Petal Cottage: Makin' Muffins Baking Set - great price
Hasbro Playskool Dream Town Rose Petal Cottage - a WOW gift and ever so cute!!
FitzMagic FREE MAGIC TRICK at FitzMagic Magic Juggling & Balloons Childrens Entertainment in Arizona - free magic trick

Weekend Update......

GoldBond - free sample
http://www.actii.com/offer.pdf - free after rebate form for popcorn

Reindeer Food.....

We have a Christmas party every year for friends and family. I like to have something little to hand out to all the kids. I have decided on making a tradition out of handing out Reindeer food each year. The kids can help make it and I think all the kids enjoy leaving it out in their front yard for the reindeer on Christmas eve. The recipe includes...... oatmeal, sugar and colored sugar crystals. We mix it in a big bowl and scoop it into snack size baggies and attatch cute little sayings to it. We leave them in a basket by the front door for everyone to grab on their way out. Frugal and fun! What a combo!!
Here are some more frugal ideas..... Christmas Holiday Printables & Crafts.

Friday...............

Sam's Club - Kashi GOLEAN Bars - free sample
Walmart.com - Dove Hair Care - free sample
Invicta Men's Pro Diver Collection Automatic Watch #8926 - a great sale on a nice watch for a man in your life.
Red Moon Women's Long Sleeve Cotton Cashmere Blend Cable Front Turtleneck Sweater - who doesn't like the feel of cashmere. This is a great gift for any woman!!
CVS Online Pharmacy Store - free tissues at CVS

Thursday.....

no-form-needed offer: Free Book Offer! Send in 1 valid Quaker Instant Oatmeal UPC and receive a free copy of The Chimpanzees of Happytown (or another Scholastic book of Scholastic's choice, est retail value $3.99) While supplies last. Mail the UPC with your name, address, and phone number to:Quaker Book Offer557 BroadwayPO Box 711New York, NY 10012Offer expires April 1, 2008 or while the supply of 5,000 books lasts. No copies of UPCs will be accepted. Limit one free book per person or household. Duplicate requests will constitute fraud. Offer good only in the US. Please allow 4-6 weeks for shipment. For questions regarding this offer please contact P&Cconnets@scholastic.com
http://content.kmart.com/ue/home/bagstuffer_120207.pdf - printable Kmart coupons
Walmart.com - Naturals Cat Chow - free sample
LIPTON To Go - free sample
Slim•Fast(R) Style Your Slim(SM) Challenge & Red Carpet Fashion Getaway Sweepstakes - free kit with pedometer - great for your New Years Resolutions!
SSSHHHHH!!!!! Don't tell. I just ordered these things for my family......
VTech Kidizoom Digital Camera - life will never be the same after DS gets this!!
Star Lites Single Dance Mat - someone has to teach the kids to dance since DH and I do not dance very well!!
Littlest Pet Shop Digital Pets - Puppy - this is the only way I will add another pet to this house!!
Samsung DVD-C631P 5-Disc Progressive-Scan DVD Player - DH has been wanting one of these so I thought I would suprise him!! SSHHH!!!!

Wednesday......

The following are my gift ideas on a budget. Very nice items that will not break the bank!!
Opus Avant Garden Looking Glass Hummingbird Feeder

Wrought Iron Swirl-design Wine Rack - WITH OR WITHOUT A BOTTLE OF WINE

Zig Zag Fragrance Oil Warmer - Aromatherapy Diffuser - Scented Tart Burner

OR Pinecone Lodge Tart Burner AND THEN GET A FEW OF THESE..... Yankee Christmas Cookie Tart Candle

Pfaltzgraff Winterberry Hand-Painted Water Goblets, Set of 4

Pfaltzgraff Winterberry Etched Glass Goblets, Set of 4 -I HAVE THESE AND LOVE THEM!!!
Free Spa Kit includes hand mirror, hairbrush, loofah, nail brush and a toe brush CALL 1-800-745-9955 (automated)
Paul Mitchell - Head for Change - free sample
Walmart.com - Friskies Dry Cat Food - free sample
Kerflop » Blog Archive » Counting down the days - I usually just but Advent calendar's at the local craft show every year. The local high school German club sells them so we support their effort. This link however shows someone with way more time on their hands than me. I applaud her effort!! What a neat idea!!