This was my gift, not the PTOs (meaning I paid for the key chains) so I had some latitude as to whom I presented them too. But I did say up front it was from me to the committee chairs and those I consider significant supporters....
For retiring teachers in our school the PTO uses a place that makes customized baskets. We find out what that teachers's interests are and have a large basket done in reference to that.
Examples are, one woman had to leave because they were moving out of state to VA. We got her some memorabilia from our town and also got her some maps, a mug, an events listing, for the new town she was going to. Another example is we had an administrator leaving who was a HUGE outdoor buff. We got him hiking maps, trail mixes to eat, energy bars, a bike tire pump, etc.
For some people that we weren't able to find out their interests in time we put together "spa" baskets. Moisturizers, loofahs, coupon for a massage, manicure, tea and a mug, etc.
Good Luck!!!
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it" - Ferris Bueller
I like that paw print keychain idea. Where did you find the keychain? Also a great idea for teacher gift is an emboidered tote bag. Lots of design ideas. One was done for the kindergarten teacher at our school for T.A.W. One side had a school house, stick kids,slide,swings,etc. The other side had each students name embroidered in their own handwritting. Then we filled it with books, markers, crayons,chalk, scissors, etc. It was loved by all. The other teachers are looking forward to getting one of these when the student reaches their class.
super easy - I purchased a large stuffed apple from Oriental Trading (key word "autograph apple" from their website) and had the kids sign it for my son's kinder teacher who was retiring.
easy - for the same teacher, I had the kids draw their self portrait with fabric crayons. We ironed the pics on an apron (purchased at Michaels) and gave to her...she loved it! This could be done on anything - t-shirt, sweatshirt, pillowcase, etc.
super difficult - My son's 1st grade teacher retired after 32 years of teaching at the same school. We got every class picture and printed them on iron on transfer paper (32 classes). These were turned into quilt blocks and a giant quilt was handmade for her. It was really nice.
my favorite gift card - A Starbucks card with a note enclosed that says "Thanks a Latte!" I use this one a lot.
I'm a big key chain person...expecially if you find the right one and engrave it. I just gave my board and key people one with a large pawprint on it and a smaller pawprint attached. I told them the large one was to remind them they are leaving there prints on our school, and the smaller print was to remind them why.
Everyone loved it. You could go for a classier keychain and engrave it with the information of their time with the school or time as a public educator....
Maybe have a special treat(ice cream sundaes or cake) on that last day so the teacher can enjoy some special time with the students.
As for gifts, I like the watch idea, something they can use and keep as a memento. If you had more time, you could put together a scrapbook with photos or even take a picture of each child and have them write their favorite thing they did in class this year or some special memory. You could probably still throw that together if you made some phone calls to parents to get them to have their child write the note and then take photos with a Polaroid or do 1 hour processing. Otherwise, a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant or maybe even for a spa treatment would be nice.
