Saturday, September 30, 2006

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas for Teachers

By Natalie Aranda

Tip! While today the Christmas tree is an enduring symbol of the season, it wasn't always a holiday tradition.

Christmas is always a season when anxiety hits. It is a stressful time, especially when you not only have to think of gifts for your family, but also help your child think of a unique Christmas present for their teacher. This can be very difficult, since students generally get their favorite teacher the same thing each year. Below is a list of tips on how to move away from the clich�, and try something unique!

1. Although food baskets are often clich�, coffee and tea baskets would work wonders. These baskets can be very unique since they can be personalized. You can pick your favorite flavors, a cute mug, and perhaps a few gift certificates. It is perfect for someone when you do not know what their favorite tastes are. Most places like Starbucks or a gourmet shop offers similar packages.

Tip! Put in place a strategy that will give you a plan to enjoy your next Christmas. This plan will also run itself without you even thinking about it.

2. Chocolate gifts have always been a favorite present. It has been a fact for centuries that chocolate is one thing that everyone loves. From chocolate Santa's to gourmet candy, sweet gift ideas are always a winner. If you have trouble finding a local shop, it is easy to find a distinctive chocolate gift store online. Many online stores now make special customized orders which allow you to personalize the chocolate gifts that they are sending. The best part to this gift is that everything is already done for you! Chocolate delivery is the finest way to go, since the only thing left to do is give it away!

3. Teachers absolutely love to read. Gift ideas can include new best selling novels from Border's and perhaps even a subscription to a teacher's magazine. It would be very beneficial to their career and they'll appreciate it. It's a unique way to score brownie points with any educator!

Tip! Anchor Steam Christmas Ale The Ale recipe is different every year as is the label! This ale's motto is to celebrate the newness of life. http://www.

4. Popcorn and movie theatre tickets are other interesting gift ideas. Teachers are constantly on the go, so it is important that they have some relaxation time. Adding some microwave or gourmet popcorn with movie tickets would be a great treat, especially since movies are so expensive now.

5. Donate money to an animal or homeless shelter under the teacher's name. This is definitely a thoughtful gift during the generous season.

6. There are many #1 teacher gifts. Anything from a #1 teacher shirt to a mug are perfect gift ideas. If it is a mug, you could fill it with chocolate or their favorite candy. After all, any gift with chocolate will bring a smile to their face.

7. Buy supplies or a special project for the class. For instance, if you know that the class is going to do be doing a lesson on marine life, you could purchase a fish tank with frogs or fish for the entire class. This will not only make the teacher happy, but it will excite the class as well!

Tip! Organize an automatic bank transfer from your bank account to your Christmas Budget account. This transfer will be on each payday for the amount you worked out in step 2.

8. Purchase a large poster board and have your child's entire class decorate it. The students can each sign their name and draw something special for their teacher. This is a great gift idea because it is not only thoughtful, but it also incorporates the entire class.

Tip! Balsam Fir � Another Christmas classic. Traditional look and heavenly scent.

Natalie Aranda writes on family and holiday celebration. Christmas is always a season when anxiety hits. It is a stressful time, especially when you not only have to think of gifts for your family, but also help your child think of a unique Christmas gifts for their teachers. Chocolate gifts have always been a favorite present. It has been a fact for centuries that chocolate is one thing that everyone loves. From chocolate Santa's to gourmet candy, sweet gift ideas are always a winner. If you have trouble finding a local shop, it is easy to find a distinctive chocolate gift online. Many online stores now make special customized orders which allow you to personalize the chocolate gifts that they are sending. The best part to this gift is that everything is already done for you!

Friday, September 29, 2006

Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas Gift Ideas

Tip! Put in place a strategy that will give you a plan to enjoy your next Christmas. This plan will also run itself without you even thinking about it.

Hear ye! Hear ye! The ‘ber' months will be here before you know it!

When people start to hear about months ending in B-E-R, they all feel the clock sounding tic toc as it fast approaches the holiday season.

Christmas is the season to be jolly! For the kids, it's the merry month where they get so overly excited about gifts and other stuff that Santa brings. And for most, it's the time of the year when all the streets are busy and filled up with traffic while people swoon over shopping malls to find the perfect Christmas gift ideas for their families and friends.

Christmas gift ideas need not to be repetitive or monotonous. One might say “Oh, I know what I'll be getting this Christmas. If its from Aunt Jane, it'll be a north pole replica paperweight.” Or “Mrs. Dunst will give me another box of her fruit cake. That has been her gift giving trademark for as long as I can remember.” Hey, there are lots of Christmas gift ideas you can up with! Be creative, resourceful and imaginative! Don't you want people to remember you for the nicest and most unique Christmas gift ideas you send them every year?



Here are some new and exciting Christmas gift ideas to help you out:

1. Chef Santa on the run!

Cooking is not only a mommy's craft. This Christmas gift idea is a fun learning activity for the whole family. While all the ingredients are available in the grocery down town, it is also a perfect time to teach your kids or friends some cooking and baking lessons. Try experimenting on your home-made fruitcake, gingerbread house, and Christmas cookies. This is not only a classic Christmas gift idea, but a sure fun way to develop your craft for cooking.

2. Relive the sound of Christmas carols

Everyone has a favorite Christmas song. But wouldn't it a nice Christmas gift idea to make a compilation of old and new Christmas songs sung by various artists? A perfect Christmas gift idea that sounds music to the ears!

Tip! Take your Christmas Gift budget that was allocated in step 1 and divide it by the number of gifts you need to buy. This number will be the maximum you can spend on each gift.

3. Candies, anyone!

No matter how candy canes are soooo last year, they are still a hit to all kids! Instead of the traditional white and red striped candy canes. Why not try on some chocolate candy cane? A strawberry candy cane? Or an orange candy cane? Have as many variety of candy cane as you can and try to come up with repackaged gift bags to make it more enticing. Kids, or even teens, will surely love this Christmas gift idea.

Tip! Balsam Fir – Another Christmas classic. Traditional look and heavenly scent.

4. Christmas craft and decorations

Surprise your pal with this personalized Christmas gift idea. If he is a die-hard music lover cut out some musical notes or his favorite icons that he can hang around the tree. I'm sure he'd love to have something that no one else has. This cool Christmas gift idea is so unique and adds a bit of your personal touch.

5. Frame it up!

Want to bring your special someone in tears? No, I mean tears of joy. This cool Christmas gift idea will surely melt a snow. I mean, your sweetie's heart. Try to create and design a picture frame and draw yourselves as Mr. and Mrs. Santa. Or if you aren't artistic enough to draw, cut out some pictures and replace their faces with yours and your honey's and be sure to pick your best and sweetest shot. This will make him/her think how much effort did you exert to come up with a sweet Christmas gift idea like this.

These are just some of the hundreds of Christmas gift ideas, you can come up with every year. Whether you bought it in a shopping mall or you've made it yourself, be sure to pick the right Christmas gift idea for the right person. After all, it's the thought that count!

Mark Dietzel operates Santas-Wonder-Land.com a website dedicated to Christmas gift ideas