Do you give Christmas gifts to children's teachers?

[vegasnative]

Yes, my twins are in the same classroom, so one gives a box of See's chocolates, the other will give a Starbucks gift card for about $10.

THe challenge I'm facing this year is...my youngest is in preschool and he has 4 teachers! They all work with him at times, so I'm trying to figure something to get for them that won't break the bank. Suggestions?

 

[QJ411]

I was wondering the same thing as OP. DD3 is in a Montessori school and loves her teachers (3) and on DDs first day (she started late), birthday or at Halloween, she came home with little gift bags of stuff...granted it's popcorn, bubbles, little stickers but I thought it was nice and the teachers had to spend money on it. So I was thinking about maybe a gift card for each of them inside a card that DD will decorate, would that be ok? Not too much, but just a little something?

 

[vegasnative]

I was wondering the same thing as OP. DD3 is in a Montessori school and loves her teachers (3) and on DDs first day (she started late), birthday or at Halloween, she came home with little gift bags of stuff...granted it's popcorn, bubbles, little stickers but I thought it was nice and the teachers had to spend money on it. So I was thinking about maybe a gift card for each of them inside a card that DD will decorate, would that be ok? Not too much, but just a little something?

My son is also in Montessori. I have a question for you. Does your daughter have to wear slippers inside? I went to Montessori when I was young and don't remember doing that, asked my mom she doesn't remember me having to do it either. I asked the teacher the purpose of it, and she said other than it saves the carpet, she said it is done within the Montessori system. So when my son comes in the first thing he has to do is get out of his street shoes and into his slippers (that he keeps there in a cubbie), then go wash his hands and THEN go in the classroom. Is that similar for you? Just curious. I'm not complaining, it has been a great example for him, and now when he comes home he puts his shoes in his closest, something I can't get his older brothers or my DH to do!

 

[Goofy'slady]

yep we give gifts.

T.

 

[QJ411]

My son is also in Montessori. I have a question for you. Does your daughter have to wear slippers inside? I went to Montessori when I was young and don't remember doing that, asked my mom she doesn't remember me having to do it either. I asked the teacher the purpose of it, and she said other than it saves the carpet, she said it is done within the Montessori system. So when my son comes in the first thing he has to do is get out of his street shoes and into his slippers (that he keeps there in a cubbie), then go wash his hands and THEN go in the classroom. Is that similar for you? Just curious. I'm not complaining, it has been a great example for him, and now when he comes home he puts his shoes in his closest, something I can't get his older brothers or my DH to do!

That's interesting...I know with the Montessori method, they do a lot of practical life stuff with meaning behind it. DD tells me about her day all the time and I've never heard her say they had to change into slippers...but you know what, I would LOVE it if my DD came home and took her shoes off NICELY (without kicking them off!) and placed them in the closet! I know they wash their hands before snack time, they go potty before going out to the playground, but haven't heard about the slippers. I'll definitely ask her and let you know!

 

[kellia]

Michigan public schools, and yes, we do. Most kids bring in something small.

 

[megthewonderful]

We usually give the teachers a $10 gift card to Target, Panera or Dunkin Donuts. Something simple with a nice handwritten note!

 

[snoodledoo]

Yep - in addition to a birthday gift, end of year gift and teacher appreciation day gift.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Yes, parochial school in MA, and we give gifts to the teacher, secretary and principal. It's a small school, and we interact with these people frequently. I'm sure we will stop when ds goes to high school. His school is preK-8, so I suspect we will continue the gift giving until he leaves.

Usually the class parent does a collection, and buys a gift card for the teacher. We also usually send in a handwritten note thanking the teacher specific to our child, along with a small token.

When I went to public school in MO, we did not give gifts to the teachers. I think giving gifts to the teachers has become more popular as people realize how little they make. DS's teacher last year also held down a part-time job at the mall, and most of the other teachers do something else as well. Many of the teachers are fresh out of college with student loans, and a nice tube of hand cream or coffee gift card is always very appreciated.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Missouri public schools - yes I do. It is very common here. I gave a $15 gift card to my older daughter's 1st grade teacher last year. I also contributed $20 to a group gift for my younger daughter's two preschool teachers. It does get a bit expensive when there is more than one teacher.

When I was teaching, I was surprised to receive gifts for Christmas. I was a high school art teacher - so these parents had lots of teachers to buy for (if they were gifting all of the teachers). I usually recieved a few gift certificates - one time I got a $50 gift card to a local restaurant. This was in a fairly affluent area in Nashville, TN.

 

[Lady V]

yes-public schools-Tennessee....I always give at Christmas and also during teacher appreciation week.

 

[cruizie]

Public school here for dd6, 1st grade. Private preschool b4 kinder. Every year there has been a classroom gift option - contribute $10/teacher, 1-2 teachers. I was the homeroom mom last yr and I sent home a letter (approved by the principal) asking if anyone wanted to participate. Had about half the class contribute and I purchased her a $125 GC & gave it to her as a class at the Holiday party - I included everyone on the card whether they contributed or not. Not sure yet what the homeroom mom will do this year. I purchased a little holiday basket from the Target dollar spot & a few other things to put in there for dd's 2 teachers (she has a switch class this yr - 1 teacher for language arts & another for science, math & social studies. If there is a class gift, we will contribute to that and dd will take in the little basket w/ the trinkets. If no classroom gift, we will add a gift card in a $10-20 amount to the basket.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

I give my children's teachers gifts every year. I even got one for the bus driver, and the bus helper last year. There was also the preschool teacher and her two assistants.

In Middle School you can give the homeroom teacher a gift.

I am a teacher, and I make sure I give my students a holiday gift as well. I send a note home asking if they mind my putting a tree up, and on the last day of school before the holidays they come into a room with gifts under the tree. Last year I was able to find things to match their personalities. For example, one student loved Spiderman, and he wrote a poem on him. So for his gift he got a big Spiderman poster, which he just absolutely loved.
This year I got gifts for all my students at Von Maur. I purchaed necklaces for boys and necklaces and earrings for the girls. They put them all in boxes, and even offered to gift wrap them. I paid no more than $2 for each item as they were marked all the way down.

My point is that the gift does not have to be expensive. I get mugs from students that they may have purchased at the dollar store, and I love them. I keep them and use them with fond memories. It is the thought that counts.