British Expatriate Network

I want to get a little something for the kindergarten bus driver. It needs to be very little as there is a strict token gestures only policy, ($5 guideline) but he has gone out of his way to help Thor stay out of trouble on the bus (no little task) and has persevered despite Thor covering his bus with corn, laying down in the aisle and often being the only kid on the bus......... (perhaps he doesn't get Thor thrown off because he'll lose his job as there's no-one else to transport some days, but whatever the reason, he rocks)

So what do I get a male (rastafarian afaict) bus driver? He's a very chilled dude and into his music, but other than that I know nothing about him.

Should I get chocolate? Would a small cheerful plant like a christmas cactus be ridiculous? A candle? Normally I would go with homemade mince pies or something, but we still haven't made them yet and I really don't have time this morning. I've got boxes of cheap shop Christmas cookies, but that's a bit lame, even if 'presented nicely", wouldn't you think? I gave the teachers scented candles (including the male one), but I know them a bit better.

The regular bus driver is getting nothing but my sincere hope that she does not come back in January as promised by the director of transportation because she's an evil bigotted lying vindictive witch. oops did I type that aloud?

Answers within the hour on the back of a sealed stamped dead fish to Manic in Michigan...

cheers

How about a gift card to a very generic type store, ie Target or something?

Something from the local doughnut or coffee emporium?
A free sundae token for the summer?
Ditto pizza
A travel coffee mug with some hot coffee in it?

Well....... I don't like gift cards, especially when the amount involved is so low, and I'm only going to the grocery store (which sells most stuff, but not low denomination gift cards to a rival). Also, there is some debate as to whetehr gift cards are considered a cash gift which is a big no-no.

But thanks. It would be an ideal quick solution if it weren't for all the politics involved and the actual lateness of my planning (bus is due in less than 2 hours). I always leave the tricky stuff 'til last -everything else is done apart from BIL and SIL who are also tough to buy for, but who will get their gift when my MIL goes home ion the 2nd Jan, so i have time...... lol

Oooh, yes, a bakery item might be a good idea. Coffee perhaps, don't know how he takes it, but that's insig, he can always tip it out if he don't like it.

OK off for a quick shower, one last check here then off to the shops..... eeek! only an hour left, it's never going to happen!

Aaah well, thanks for all your ideas, Sadly, it all became irrelevant due to the antics of some complete-blooming-psycho who bares no resemblance at all to the other bus driver. But that's a story for another time and place. Anyway, he got shop made cookies on a plate with a bow. And he gave me a hug and some moral support. I knew he rocked.