Gifts for Teacher: Class gift or individual? Both?

[Worfiedoodles]

What do you do for your elementary school class teacher at the end of the year?

We contribute to the class gift, then also give another gift that is nearly as large as what we would have spent. I'm wondering if we are going overboard? This is our last contact, so we want to make sure the teacher knows how much we appreciated all the special efforts throughout the year.

We also do this at Christmas, but our additional gift tends to be a bit smaller.

Just curious

 

[disney_fan_fam]

Lately we've just been doing Starbucks & Jamba Juice gift cards (because that's what they like & will use) & it's easiest for me. (Christmas, teachers appreciation, end of year, bday) I don't wanna get them lil trinkets or anything that they'll end up tossing anyway. (I've noticed my dd classmates/parents giving them useless things )



I've also given house plants as gifts....that was a hit.

 

[WendyisDarling]

When class gifts were allowed, we only contributed to the class gift. We gave as much as we would have spent on an individual gift. Many parents gave less and some not at all. Regardless, the gift was from the whole class. Some gave both. I just figured the teacher would know that we contributed nicely to the class gift because she didn't get an individual gift from us.
Now, we no longer have class gifts. The room parents always handled collecting and purchasing the class gift. Room parents are part of PTA and our PTA says that we cannot collect any money at all. (Any money technically going to the PTA, must be recorded and receipted.) Plus, I think there was an issue with the $. No more class gifts. I know the teachers liked getting the big gift certificates.

Just wanted to add, after I gave my Christmas gifts to teachers I saw on our local news that teachers aren't supposed to take gifts from an individual student valued at more than $25. If it is a class gift it is OK, but if from one child there could be the perception that the parent is trying to gain favor with the teacher. A class gift doesn't single out any one child. This rule may not be true for everywhere.

My son's teachers accepted their Christmas gifts valued at greater than $25. They probably didn't know the rule just as I didn't. They were very gracious and appreciative. The gifts weren't in hope of gaining anything extra from them and we haven't.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I've been doing Target gift cards. I can see Target (in the distance) from my bedroom window, so it's really easy. I figure who can't find something they want/need at Target?

I never thought about the "buying favor" idea. Our grades are already out by the time we have the last day of school. The last week is half days, so the kids are really just cleaning up the classrooms and doing fun things. I gave $25 gift cards at Christmas (I also buy for the teachers who run the afterschool program, since ds participates daily) and contributed to the class gift at the requested ($10) rate. I plan to do the group gift for the end of the year, but then I thought I'd put together a small bag with lemon body wash, etc. (I was one of the BBW girlies!). Then I read on another thread that teachers have too much of that stuff and don't want more. That made me think I should go back to the gift cards.

The only thing our parent association does is raise money. They haven't met a fundraiser they didn't like...but the group gifts are just handled by volunteer parents. We just all trust each other. It's a relatively small school -- if something shady went on you'd be afraid to show your face again!

 

[tigger813]

As a teacher, I've received both group and individual gifts. This year at Christmas I got about 18 separate gifts. Today was Nat'l Teacher's Day and we each got a Target gift Card and then there was a raffle for other gift certificates or plants at the lunch put on by the parents. They do an amazing job every year.

My oldest is in 1st grade and I did an individual gift for her teacher at Christmas. For the end of the year, which is also her retirement, I'll be giving her a gift made by my mother.

You should do what you feel most comfortable with. I enjoy both. My most interesting gift was a child who gave me a bag of goodies- cheetos, mt. dew, and chocolate...I could tell he'd been paying attention to me and my interests.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

My most interesting gift was a child who gave me a bag of goodies- cheetos, mt. dew, and chocolate...I could tell he'd been paying attention to me and my interests.

Were we separated at birth?! You listed three of my four basic food groups! Ok, not so much anymore, but before I had to set a good example

 

[lchadwick]

I haven't arranged for the end of year gifts, but this got me thinking about something I did for my little girls' special needs preschool teacher (through the school system). She is having a baby right after school ends (hopefully she can last that long!) and since Ryleigh has been in her class almost 2 years and she's made such a differnece in Ryleigh's progress, I made her a no-sew fleece blanket and bought a little bath thermometer and gave her a Target gift card (thanks, MyPoints!). Could I have put her in a bad situation? I'd hate to think that....

And now I'm trying to come up with ideas for a teacher, 2 assts, a speech therapist, and 2 bus drivers! YIKES!

 

[The Disney Bunch]

You needed an other option! I usually give to the class gift & give a little something also but this year I do not like the teacher so I am only going to contribute to the class gift. She wasn't worth giving anything extra to.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

You needed an other option! I usually give to the class gift & give a little something also but this year I do not like the teacher so I am only going to contribute to the class gift. She wasn't worth giving anything extra to.

Wow, I didn't think to add "contribute to class gift only because teacher was less than stellar"....

I'm sorry you have had a bad experience this year. I hope next year is much better!

 

[luvsgrumpy]

What perfect timing! I just came home from school, we (PTO) are having a luncheon for Teacher appreciation Week today. A few of the parents were just comparing notes for end of year gifts, etc. I haven't decided what I plan to do or if we're giving one class gift or not (i'm room mom). Anyway, the one mom, who is also a teacher but on leave this year, mentioned that she appriecates the gift cards to "teaching related" stores as much as anything. That's what we did for Christmas but I am leaning toward individual gifts for end of year.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Where is VH? She would be in a tirate by now!!!!

 

[mrs.beast]

I am a teacher and the end of the year gift I usually get is something made by the whole class (a book, platter, pottery) and I love it. Parents sometimes also give me individual gifts, but not usually. I get gifts from almost all students at Christmas though. I love the gift from the end of the year. My dog broke one of my pots this fall and I was devistated. I still use my platter with all of the different thumb print animals that my class made a few years ago at almost every party I have. Individual gifts/cards often get used and forgotten, something that will last is a reminder of the great year I had with that class.

 

[feedindy]

For Christmas, we spend X amount. If the class does a group gift, I deduct our contribution from her individual gift. For teacher appreciation week (right now, btw), we contribute only to the class gift(s). For the end of the year, I don't remember ever having a group gift, but we buy a gift for the teacher and something small for each "specials" teacher and bus driver.

 

[DisneeMommee]

As an end of the year, teacher appreciation gift, I have bought the folding canvas lawn chairs in a light color. On the last day of school, I take the chair and fabric markers in to the classroom. The children set the chair up, and then take turns "signing" the chair and giving the teacher a hug when they finish. The children get very creative, sometimes they add a message or a quick drawing. One girl signed by the cup holder - she wanted the teacher to be sure and remember the day she spilled her water bottle all over her desk. One boy signed on the seat - he was sure the teacher would have sat on him, if she were allowed to - all summer, he wanted her to be sure and have the pleasure. One little boy signed on the back - he wanted the teacher to remember the day he was behind her and when she turned around she jumped in surprise. They would also share ways they hoped she would use her chair and think of them. One boy said when the teacher was watching her boys play ball to remember he would be on the opposite team - he wrote "No cheering allowed" by his name. One girl wanted her to take her chair out under a shade tree and enjoy a good book because the teacher had motivated her to read that year. She drew a book by her name. The teacher and I usually end up with tears in our eyes by the time the kids finish. So far, the teachers receiving "The Chair" have really appreciated it. I usually find a chair for less than $5 and cover the cost myself.

 

[hinodis]

As an end of the year, teacher appreciation gift, I have bought the folding canvas lawn chairs in a light color. On the last day of school, I take the chair and fabric markers in to the classroom. The children set the chair up, and then take turns "signing" the chair and giving the teacher a hug when they finish. The children get very creative, sometimes they add a message or a quick drawing. One girl signed by the cup holder - she wanted the teacher to be sure and remember the day she spilled her water bottle all over her desk. One boy signed on the seat - he was sure the teacher would have sat on him, if she were allowed to - all summer, he wanted her to be sure and have the pleasure. One little boy signed on the back - he wanted the teacher to remember the day he was behind her and when she turned around she jumped in surprise. They would also share ways they hoped she would use her chair and think of them. One boy said when the teacher was watching her boys play ball to remember he would be on the opposite team - he wrote "No cheering allowed" by his name. One girl wanted her to take her chair out under a shade tree and enjoy a good book because the teacher had motivated her to read that year. She drew a book by her name. The teacher and I usually end up with tears in our eyes by the time the kids finish. So far, the teachers receiving "The Chair" have really appreciated it. I usually find a chair for less than $5 and cover the cost myself.

I love this idea. Where do you find a canvas chair? I only see the nylon kinds in the stores.

 

[DisneeMommee]

I think I mean the nylon type (sorry). They are the fold up lawn chairs that fit in a bag. I get them at Dick's, Target, Walmart, Kmart, etc. I have used tan, pink, yellow, etc. I start scoping them out as soon as summer items are stocked in the stores. I watch the sales and don't think I have ever paid over $5 for one.

 

[quiltymom]

We only do individual gifts. Our school is quite different from the rest of those in the area (THANKFULLY!) and they just don't do class gifts, mostly because the vast majority of the families are low income.

I asked my sister and BiL about what to give (one a teacher and other a principal), and their comment was: Consumables, and NO MUGS! (You should see their one cabinet dedicated to mugs they've received from students.) And with the classroom teachers, specialists, administration, etc., I end up giving out about 14 gifts. Yikes!

So, I do little things. Cookies in a jar (good for the kids to do - learn about fractions, cooking). I make jam, so many times they get pints of homemade jam (this is very popular ). One year I made fabric covers for those little packs of kleenex you throw in your purse (you can IM me for directions, if you want). Other times I've just gotten gift bags, gone to the grocery store, and put in tea bags, a honey bear, scones or cookies. Or I give them stuff like fun post-its, pens & pencils, & other silly office supplies.

Then I always have the kids write a thank-you note to their teacher, enclose a school photo, and include it in the gift. To me, that's the best part.

 

[mcdisney2005]

This year since I am a CM consultant, I am organizing a class gift for my son's 1st grade teacher. We are going to do a CM Digital Storybook with pictures that the teacher and other parents have taken throughout the year. It is his teacher's first year of teaching and I thought this would be a great way to remember it for him. If I can get all the parents to go in on it, it would be around $3 a person. Right now I have 8 of us so it will be around $7 a person. Also if the parents want to order a book for themselves, they can do so at the same time and have 1st grade scrapbooked.

 

[bopper]

The Class Moms often collect for a gift certificate or what not, and sometimes my kids will want to make something for the teacher, usually around Christmas time. I do not purchase a separate gift other than the materials to make the item.

 

[kfeuer]

Funny you asked since I just finished working on this very thing. School ends in less then 2 weeks and they're doing the end of year stuff in combination with teacher appreciation week.

The room moms asked us to send in a flower one day, and fruit another. They also collected money for a group gift. I contributed to that, but am not planning on another gift. However, I wrote a thank you card and had DS do a thank you card, and attached it to one of those Hershey's candy bars that just had free coupons out for it. Hopefully they'll enjoy it!