I work for a non-profit preschool, so it's not unusual for parents to make cash donations to the school.

We've done the Christmas tree idea before. Teachers chose items they wanted for their classrooms and we put them on ornaments to display on our "wishing tree" at our Christmas Preschool Musical. Parents chose an ornament to grant a wish for their teacher.

The next year we didn't wait until Christmas, we did it right at the beginning of the school year. This time we took an old branch that had fallen off a tree and placed it in a pot in Plaster of Paris. We die-cut apples from construction paper and used these to write teacher wishes for their classrooms and hung them from the branches of our tree with ribbon.

It has now become a tradition to have a Wish Tree at the parent meetings we have near the start of our school year. Parents who grant the wishes are simply making a cash donation in the amount of the item. The school makes the purchase and ensures it gets into the classroom quickly. We also put a note at the classroom saying "Thank you, Joe's family, for giving our classroom a new Egg Shaker Set" or whatever the item may be.

We did this as well in the past for our teachers as well. We create a Christmas tree and put on the tree what the teacher needs so others can help out the classroom. A very good idea and teachers love it. Also, when the bookfair comes out the teachers make out a small ist for everyone to see of books they wish to have in thier classroom if anyone woulf want to buy them. Our PTO buys books to help our classrooms as well as the library

In our school, we have the teachers post a sign outside their classroom door with the year's theme and post items around it that they need in the classroom.

This year the theme is Lend a Hand, the poster has a group holding hands and the items are printed on hand shaped post it notes
Last year was Welcome To Our "School" and the items were listed on fish shaped papers
You get the idea....

The lists are in place for the big open house and during parent teacher conferences so that families can pick an item or items to supply for the classrooms. Each teacher is in charge of writing their own requests. Most teachers keep them posted all year because needs change and often families that visit the classroom for whatever reason will grab an item and have the student bring it in.

Hope this helps :o)

I Love these ideas!! We do a wish list every year and I am going to try these suggestions.

Thanks for sharing your ideas. We are looking for creative ideas for Teacher Wish lists and I think i will borrow the tree idea and customize to meet the needs.