Class gift for retiring teacher

Dawnlight

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 25, 2014
As a room parent I am in charge of organizing the end-of-the-year teacher gift. Both myself and the co-room parent did not have a good year with this particular teacher, so the task of gift-giving is especially difficult.

The teacher is retiring this year, so many of the ideas I've seen on pinterest and other sites are not relevant.

My first thought was a personalized Land's End canvas tote bag with a beach towel, gift card to a bookstore, chocolates, and sunscreen. I like the idea of consumables, but thought a quality tote and towel would be appreciated (my twins say she loves the beach).

I'd appreciate teacher input as well as parents who have given gifts that were well-received.
 
I like the tote idea. Land's end totes are great. Another thought is a Vera Bradley one.

Kae
 
Honestly, I would send out to the other parents in the room and let them know that you can't organize the gift asking for volunteers to take it over. If no one steps up after a couple of weeks, then send out another saying that you won't be organizing a gift and if individuals want to give a gift on their own, they can, no room gift.

Just like tips, an end of year gift isn't obligatory and if you've had a crummy teacher, just like if you've had a crummy server, and tried to resolve it to no avail, you're not entitled to give something.
 


Honestly, I would send out to the other parents in the room and let them know that you can't organize the gift asking for volunteers to take it over. If no one steps up after a couple of weeks, then send out another saying that you won't be organizing a gift and if individuals want to give a gift on their own, they can, no room gift.

Just like tips, an end of year gift isn't obligatory and if you've had a crummy teacher, just like if you've had a crummy server, and tried to resolve it to no avail, you're not entitled to give something.

Anyone who wanted to contribute did so at the beginning of the year. The money was divided into a gift at winter break, teacher appreciation gift, and end of year. So the money is collected, just need ideas (I think the budget is $75 as there are maximum gift allowances in MA for teachers).
 
Anyone who wanted to contribute did so at the beginning of the year. The money was divided into a gift at winter break, teacher appreciation gift, and end of year. So the money is collected, just need ideas (I think the budget is $75 as there are maximum gift allowances in MA for teachers).

Since you're stuck, then I'd just go gift card to Amazon, and leave it at that.

You could still see if there's anyone who's interested in doing something more personal, then if not, go the card route, but I wouldn't spend that much effort on it.
 
I would just get a gift card and be done. Amazon is a great idea suggested by PP.

I do not care for food as gifts personally. I end up tossing them. Suncreen is too "personal" as well. I only use certain brands. Towels and a tote is a cute idea, but just too "personal" there as well.
 
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I agree with all the gift card only ideas. Is she retiring for good? I would then say get a class photo framed, maybe have kids sign the mat, say something about it being from her last class.
 
I'd do gift cards too but a bunch of little ones instead of one big one. My class gave me a gift card bouquet last week for my birthday. It's a cute dish garden with sticks poking up out of it with various gift cards ranging from $5-25 (Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, ColdStone, Baskin Robbins, Target, iTunes, my nail salon, my favorite local restaurant, etc.). I thought it was very sweet and once I'm done with all the cards then I still have the dish garden for my room.
 
I'm keeping this idea for gifts to make in the coming years!

Eta. I always forget to hit the insert quote button. This is in response to the dish garden gift card gift.
 
I'd do gift cards too but a bunch of little ones instead of one big one. My class gave me a gift card bouquet last week for my birthday. It's a cute dish garden with sticks poking up out of it with various gift cards ranging from $5-25 (Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, ColdStone, Baskin Robbins, Target, iTunes, my nail salon, my favorite local restaurant, etc.). I thought it was very sweet and once I'm done with all the cards then I still have the dish garden for my room.

I'm suggesting this to a group I'm working with to plan a tricky tray & silent auction event - this would make a fun basket!
 
I would just do a 75.00 gift card to somewhere like Amazon or a Visa. I did a flower pot of gift cards once and it was great!!!I did like 6 or 8 smaller amount cards and attached them to paper flowers and did one with DS picture too. BUT...we LOVED LOVED LOVED this teacher. Both of my boys had her 15 years apart. It took a lot more work and I spent at least 75.00 on it.
 

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