uptown's Profile

I'm a high-school teacher, so I'm not rolling in gifts this time of year the way my elementary colleagues are. It is true that schools, in general, have a lot of unhealthy food, especially during the holiday season, and I live alone, so I'd be a little dismayed if I got dozens of cookies somehow--but very touched and grateful [and, hey, I could freeze them]. Anything with slightly longer shelf life would be great too, as would tea or coffee [always a hit in the lounge]. I've never gotten a gift card, but they are actually pretty commonly used in school now--we have gift-card drawings for the students as fundraisers and rewards, for instance--so they wouldn't be out of place, and would be much appreciated.

Thinking back to the holiday gifts I've been given, two stand out. A student of mine who had moved to the U.S. from China brought me homemade (and delicious) dumplings, made by her mother, along with a note that I know must have taken my student a long time to write. Another student of mine, who had some behavioral issues, unceremoniously handed me a little lucite flower figurine. He was one of my less affluent students, even by the standards of our high-poverty district, and I was extremely touched.

These weren't fancy gifts, but they were heartfelt, and I will never forget them. I've also saved every thank-you note I've ever gotten from a student--every single one.

Susan, I don't know where you got your information, but I'm pretty sure it was wrong. I live in New Orleans and drive past the Make It Right houses every day on my way to and from work. They are definitely inhabited, and they were last year, too.

For the people complaining about color, bright house colors are quite common here. These colors are more muted than some of the hues in the Make It Right collection.

@esotericara - Schools can almost always office stuff, particularly binder clips [they're expensive and they get lost]. You could drop the box off at a school this summer or at the beginning of the week that teachers are required to report back [not once kids get there--everyone has bought supplies by then, generally speaking]. Community centers and nonprofits also would probably be grateful for a donation.

I love Waxen candles--smokeless, dripless and odorless--which I've found up and down the East coast. The rainbow tapers and globes are beautiful:

http://www.waxen.net/

Thanks @ Genny and @LSUgrad03 for the advice on other LA thrifting! We've got some cool shops here, but it can be difficult if you're looking for a specific piece, with so much of the furniture that would've ended up in thrift shops being washed away. I'll have to make some day trips soon!