Do you give end of year gifts to your kids teachers? (Inspired by missypie)

[tiggerlover]

After reading missypie's thread about teacher's gifts for the end of the school year I got to wondering how many parents out there do this. I have never felt compelled to do so until this year because the teacher DS has this year is just great and I want to get her something to show her how much I appreciate all she has done this year.

So, do you buy your kids teachers end of year gifts?

 

[HollyJoy]

We always have! Unless you have a really rotten teacher, I think it's a nice gesture. Even the smallest of gifts like some flowers would be greatly appreciated!

 

[tiggerlover]

I should say before I look very unappreciative that DS is only in second grade and had the same teacher (whom we didn't care for) for both kindergarten and first grade.

 

[missypie]

I actually never have...it always seems to creep up on me. We probably go overboard at Christmastime, however. I thought that this year I would make an effort to do something nice.

One other issues is when kids get to middle school and HS and have so many teachers. Does anyone give gifts to ALL of their teachers?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Other-

Can't say that I ever did with older dd in elementary. I would contribute throughout the year and would give a gift at Christmas.
Now she is in middle school we don't do anything.

This year with younger dd I gave her a welcome gift, gift for her birthday, Christmas & Teacher Appreciation Day.
Also I have donated things to the classroom. And I am the roommom so I donate my time organizing things.

I think that is enough!

 

[CEDmom]

I haven't done this yet because DD is only in pre-k and her program has always been year round. I do a big gift for each teacher at Christmas and a token teacher appreciation gift. I also buy several books for the class each year and usually a toy as well. Plus I'm a class rep so I always chaparone trips help with parties etc.

 

[Trish Bessette]

I do. My DD's are in first and fourth grade. I give a gift at Christmas as well at the end of the year.

Teachers do a lot and I feel deserve this recognition.

I will continue this next year when my daughter is in middle school.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I honestly don't and I had never heard of any parent doing this until I started reading the DIS.

I usually buy books for the classroom during book fair week, give cards with Gift Cards to an office supply store at Christmas and then contribute to a Group present during Teacher Appreciation week.

 

[Raysplus1]

Yes, my FIL was a teacher and he told us how much they appreciate things like this.

 

[Otto's Doll]

Absolutely. I have every year the kids have been in school. We give a gift for Christmas, one for Teacher appreciation, and one for end of year. Most times it is a box of candy from our local candy store (yum) but sometimes it is a small windchime or a book. We volunteer in our kids classrooms regularly, go on field trips, and donate books.
For some people this can be a big financial strain, so even a note telling the teachers how much you appreciate them is a blessing. (I also give the kids Sunday School teachers a gift at the end of the year, usually a note pad and a new pen.)

 

[DVC-Don]

Other than dropping off a check for the school taxes of $3,400 every October, no.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Absolutely.

 

[disykat]

I honestly think the DIS is not representative of reality in this instance.

When I taught (11 years ago) the only end of the year gifts I got were handmade - notes, baked goods, a class project that a room parent finagled, etc. Christmas gifts were the same with a few (maybe 3 or 4 out of a class of 27) store bought gifts. While gifts are nice, I'm very bothered by the idea that gifts for the teacher are becoming the norm (according to the DIS) because it almost seems like tipping IMO.

I am not a gift person and would frankly be very happier to just get a few thank yous from the kids. When my kids were in preschool they gave small gifts, but beyond that they haven't. I spend tons of time volunteering at the school and I make sure my kids are prepared for school each day (homework done etc). A cooperative relationship is worth more to the teachers than any gift could be.

I think people who like Disney tend to be a higher percentage of gift giving personalities. I don't really enjoy giving or receiving gifts, I'm more of a TIME/WORDS person. (I'm thinking of the book "The Five Love languages by Gary Chapman where he describes the five ways of expressing love as words, time, gifts, service, and touch).

 

[missypie]

I think it varies by school also. I am usually caught off guard when my kids come home telling about the gifts all the other kids brought in.

 

[Otto's Doll]

I don't give gifts because they are expected, I give them because my kids and I have built a relationship with the teacher throughout the school year, and I want to express how very grateful I am for all they do, and what blessings they are to us.

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by disykat
I honestly think the DIS is not representative of reality in this instance.

The DIS is not representative to ANY of my reality!

I have given end of the year gifts every year except this one. I am actually grateful my son will never see his teacher again. She was just abysmal and downright nasty. She was a pre-K teacher for a few years and they put her into the 4th grade the last minute. She was not prepared for it and had very little patience with the older children. 5 year olds and 10 year olds are different animals! GRTBR!

 

[mommytotwo]

Yes, I am one of those parents that gives out gifts during those special occassions, and during times to thank the teachers for their hard work and dedication.

 

[Thumpersmom]

Yes, I give the gifts to the teacher at Christmas, Teacher Appreciation week and end of the year too. I also give to the Bus Driver that we like. Sometimes it is more then other times and depends on our relationship with the teacher. I also make sure I write a note of appreciation and have my DS write something too.

My DS enjoys taking the gifts and talks about how much the other kids look forward to it too.

 

[Pooh93]

I have always contributed to the classroom gifts for the teachers throughout the year. I have given end of the year gifts and notes to oldest dd's teachers beginning with pre-school, kindergarten and 1st grade. I am on the fence this year because I have not agreed with the way the 2nd grade teacher has handled alot of situations. I have been trying to think of what I would write in a note to her and can not think of anything from my heart. Isn't that awful?? If I do something for her, I need to get with it because school will be out on 6/2. Does anyone have any advice?

I have already gotten the gifts for youngest dd's kindergarten teacher and aide and know what I am going to write in their cards.