One thing that we did recently was to make each of the teachers at my son's school a Kudoboard (www.kudoboard.com), which is basically a more fun version of the office greeting card that gets passed around.
Basically I set up a board for each teacher and added a nice message + photograph and then invited other parents + students to contribute. Everyone else added their own kudos, photos, and videos, and then we delivered the online boards as a surprise to each teacher.
Thank you so much, those are awesome ideas. We did decide on a few: Mad Hatter Tea Party, I am painting a scene from Alice and Wonderland with the table and background. And soda shop 50s style. Found pictures on a decoration website. We usually do things from Shindings, love that site! We also decided on Fiesta and Chili Cook Off/Western Rodeo. I am struggling on the decorations for this though. I do the decorations and another lady is over the hospitality. Since I will be split between the high school and junior high this year, I was trying to get a jump start this summer. Have my fingers crossed on getting everything done in advance. We also have a student rewards day at our school every 6 weeks we decorate for (the walls of the stage). We are going with Family Game Night, LOGO (Like the game), and space. Those three alone are alot of decorations to make (at least 30 pieces each). It will be a busy summer! At least I won't be bored!
Thanks again for suggestions, I will pass them along!
You have so many great ideas! We've heard of a variety of luncheon themes, some of which you've mentioned. We heard of one group that did a beach theme and actually brought in real sand to the teacher's lounge! We've also heard of picnics, multicultural (foods from various countries) buffets, garden parties and BBQs.
Here's are a few links that may have other ideas for you:
Since Next Year is a New Year, trying to get ideas for Teacher Luncheons. We have done "Ice Cream Social" to start the year, We redecorate the Teachers' Lounge for a day. Luau where we redecorated a small part of the library for a day serving lunch. "Candy Bar" were we took over the conference room in October with a Halloween theme. (this is so easy and loved we do ever year. "New York Deli" were we decorated a small part of the library and served sandwiches. "Wild about our teachers" was our Teachers Appreciation week last year. At Christmas each year the teachers do a pot luck and PTO provides desserts and we decorate a part of the library. This year we did "Hollywood" as our Teachers Appreciation Week theme. Each year we assist with a "Relay for Life" team "Krewe for a Cure" Mardia Gras theme. Looking for themes for future luncheons. Any ideas? For full luncheons we have three large bookcases we do backgrounds on, then decorate the serving tables and tables for staff to set at.
At our middle school, we do staff appreciation lunches in Oct, Dec, Jan, Mar and May. In May we do something little each day during staff appreciation week. For our December event, we actually hold a Holiday Cookie Exchange for the staff. Our families bring in holiday cookies/candy. We start sending out information around Thanksgiving asking families to remember the cookie exchange when they start their baking. We ask them to bring in about 2 dozen of an item. The families love to bring in items and the staff LOVE this event. We have 450 students and we get about 50 families contributing. Some bring in 2 dozen of one item, some bring in much more. This year I had one mom bring in 10 dozen things....3 dozen of one thing, 3 dozen of another and 4 dozen of another! So, we end up with the most beautiful display of cookies and candies. I try to catch each person when they bring in their cookies so they can fill out a tag of what the cookie is and what family brought it in.
This year was our second year doing the cookie exchange and both years I have found these great bags at the dollar store for wrapping a plate of cookies in. So, when the staff come in, we hand them a bag with a plate in it. They walk around the tables filling their plate with about 3 - 4 dozen cookies. Then they bring it to us and we tie it up with a candy cane and add a tag.
We cover the tables with plastic covers and some large baubles. Play Christmas music. Last year we served apple cider, but no one really has the time to get drinks, so we didn't have any drinks this year. We did have a drawing for a beautiful wreath and they loved that too.
