Grab bags...inspired by the gift exchange thread

[krcit]

I was wondering how people feel about classroom grab bags?? I hate to say it for fear of sounding like a grinch but I really wish our school would do away with them! There is usually a $10 limit, which is plenty to get a nice little gift kids but some people give such junk. Then the poor kid who gets the cruddy gift is upset. Plus I really dn't think anyone needs the added burden of having yet another gift to buy at this time of year. My kids school really, really pushed Toys for Tots this year-to the point of offering 'no homeowrk passes and extra credit if you brough in a gift for T for T. How about doing away with the silly grab bag and d a class toy drive? That way noone is singled out if they can't afford it and noone is crying b/c they got a junk gift. Thoughts??

 

[MM27]

I've had students ask me to do that in my classroom because other teachers do it, but I always say no. I don't need the added stress of someone not bringing the gift they were supposed to or not getting something of equal value. I give each child in my class a gift and that's where it ends.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Neither of my boys' classes did a gift exchange at all this year. In Kindergarten, my oldest DS' class did a book exchange, possibly first grade too.

 

[pixiewings71]

We have never done that for our girls' in school. This year both girls did TfT's drives so we gave them both some cash to take in.

 

[eduk8r26]

One of our 3rd grade teachers asked each kid to bring in a book. That's what they exchanged.

 

[pearlieq]

It seems pretty unnecessary. Why add one more thing to the holiday craziness?

These kinds of things, especially with kids, rarely turn out well, no matter how well-intentioned the folks setting them up.