Do you give Christmas gifts to children's teachers?

[kittychatalot]

I have never heard of this. I am 35 and we never gave gifts to teachers so I am curious if this is a new trend? I grew up in Connecticut and went to Catholic school. everyone, please chime in on state and public versus private. Thanks!~

 

[ajk912]

Yes, public school, and we do $10 gift cards to Target/Walmart inside of a nice card because even the person who has everything can use a gallon of milk and a box of cereal!

 

[aaronlisar]

No, public school, and never seen any classmates doing it either.

 

[PatsMom]

DD was eight years of parochial school - I never did Christmas gifts. She is now in the 4th year of public high school and we've never done gifts there either.

 

[CarolinaMomOf3boys]

we do christmas gifts, but only in elementary school, my other 2 sons have 8 teachers
My youngest only has 2 and i dont spend but about $5...less than that this year, just got back from walmart this morning, all their glad candles and air fresheners were at great prices and had some terrific coupons, so they are both getting the air spray and the matching candle scent

with coupons, each teachers gift is about $3, if that!

 

[d96j97]

I've always given Christmas gifts to my DSs teachers. It might only be a $5-$10 gift (sometimes more) depending on how much my child connected with them. They love things like Bath & Body/ Gift Cards / Barnes & Noble, etc.

 

[dhdozier]

Public school here - gave gifts as a child to my teachers up to 5th grade and my kids give gifts as well to their teachers. Here in SE GA at my kids' school it is very much the norm for kids to give their teachers a token of appreciation, especially to spread the Christmas spirit. The kids' teachers always give nice Chirstmas parties where most of the expense comes out of their own pockets, so I think a small gift is appreciated. I keep it under $10, but one year I splurged on a fav teacher. I made a scrapbook for my daughter's 2nd grade teacher featuring pics of all of the kids in the class, she cried with joy and that was priceless

 

[buffalogirl]

Yes, Catholic School, Western New York. Contribute towards class gift (less than $5). Also give gift card for Target, Barnes & Noble or Dunkin' Donuts in a card with personal note expressing appreciation for their efforts.

 

[RitaE]

Private Religious Based School
The school doesn't allow the children to give personal gifts to any staff, but notes and cards are usually exchanged. The whole school chooses a special Holiday charity project and the families are asked that any money that would be spent on such gifts be donated to the project.

The last day of school before the Holiday break all the children are asked to bake a dozen cookies and bring them in. After 10am or so the children divide up into groups of 6 to 10 and go to visit a list of shut-ins, nursing homes, assisted living centers etc.

 

[rt2dz]

Public School. Grew up in IL and live in TX. The whole time I was growing up we gave teachers gifts through elementary school. Same here in TX. I barely know anyone who did not and does not currently, public or private. It isn’t a big gift, just something little. Some people give homemade baked goods or something else homemade, some classes do a class gift, some give gift cards (like $5 or $10 to Starbucks), etc.

Those who aren’t Christian even give, but more to the holiday they do celebrate or just as a good cheer gift.

 

[Robmom]

I only did that when my DD was in elementary school, after that, I didn't give gifts.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Yes, public elementary school, but I limit it to those that actually are in my kids' classsrooms. I don't include "specials" which are art, music, etc. I know they are the forgotten souls, but I can't do all of them..My DS8 had FIVEteachers in 1st grade-two regular ones, one student teacher and two inclusion specialists. Now we are down to TWO teachers in DS8's class, and one in my DS10's. I give the "main" teachers a $20 GC, and the "minor" teachers a smaller one, maybe $10. I dress them up by putting them in a little stocking with a few nice (Lindt or Giradelli) wrapped chocolates.

I don't know what we will do in middle school, I guess stop giving. I can't go back to buying 7-8 teacher gifts.

 

[mybabesuz]

I only did that when my DD was in elementary school, after that, I didn't give gifts.

Same here...
They have 6 or 7 teachers starting with grade 6...
Times 3 kids... Is a lot of gifts...

 

[Ephany]

Public, but DD was at a private daycare the last few years. We usually do vouchers to the local movie theater (enough for 2 adult tickets and popcorn) and a handmade card by DD. This year I'll add a giftcard to Walmart (no Target around here) so the teacher can buy some school supplies or stuff for her classroom as she needs it. I'm sure my DD goes through her fair share of Kleenex and all that misc. stuff that teachers always need.

I don't remember bringing presents in grade school, but my mom loved to bake, so I'm sure I took in homemade goodies. I do remember hand making some cross-stitch lids for jelly jars and filling them with candy for my teachers in high school as a thank you before I graduated. That's the only time I think I gave a present in middle school or high school though aside from a card.

 

[DjdBrit]

I am in MA and we do do gifts for our teachers. Usually the class parent collects (around $5 a child) from all the kids to give a gift card to the teacher for xmas. This is up to the parents not required. I always make a gift as well, soap or candy just something small as a gesture.

 

[Dedejf]

I remember giving my teachers gifts in elementary school (and I'm older than dirt!) I went to a public school in MN. My neighbors went to a parochial school and gave their elementary teachers gifts as well.

I always bought gifts for my sons' elementary teachers (public and private school both) but once they were in secondary school the tradition ended for the most part. I always had them write thank you notes to their secondary teachers since there were so many of them compared to elementary. They did the same for coaches and extracurricular advisors. I often wrote notes of appreciation to them as well.

I taught both elementary and junior high age students. I received cards and candy from some of the junior high age students (public) and occasionally something homemade edible, flowers, or a craft from their parents. When I switched to elementary (public school) and taught second grade, I spent many happy and grateful hours writing thank you notes for all the gifts their families gave me at Christmas. These gifts were all appreciated and I'm still using some of the gift cards presented to me two years ago when I retired. My Christmas trees look beautiful with many of the ornaments they had personalized with their names and years of attendance.

IMHO a personal note expressing appreciation is one of the nicest gifts a teacher can receive. I have kept all of mine in a file and will never part with them.

 

[klineyqueen]

When I was a child we always gave our teacher a gift. I now am a teacher in an elementary school. Most of the children bring in a gift. I send in gifts for my kids teachers.

 

[goofypooh]

My oldest daughter is in middle school, so I do not give gifts to her teachers. (Mostly because she doesn't want to!) For the elementary school teachers, we usually contribute money to a class gift that the room parent usually coordinates (usually a gift certificate somewhere). My youngest DD is in preschool & has 3 teachers. I always try to get them each something because they do so much for the the kids....help them eat, go to the bathroom, wash hands, wipe noses, etc. I know it is their job, but at Christmas time I like to let them know how much I appreciate all that they do.

 

[goofypooh]

Private Religious Based School
The school doesn't allow the children to give personal gifts to any staff, but notes and cards are usually exchanged. The whole school chooses a special Holiday charity project and the families are asked that any money that would be spent on such gifts be donated to the project.

The last day of school before the Holiday break all the children are asked to bake a dozen cookies and bring them in. After 10am or so the children divide up into groups of 6 to 10 and go to visit a list of shut-ins, nursing homes, assisted living centers etc.

What a great idea to teach the kids about giving to others!

 

[mamalle]

alittle something we do give.. this year it will be a cheese/knife bowl set from hallmark- holiday one that is and a $10 GC to target..