Group teacher gift.. Did I faux pas?

[MinnieTink]

One of the moms from my son's preschool asked all the moms to go in on a group gift for the teachers. She asked for $30 from each family. Tho I could have found cute gifts and spent less, I decided to chip in with the rest. Monday she mentioned that everyone participated. Today there was a little party thos morning. At least 6 of the 12 kids brought the teachers additional gifts. I felt a little bit bad because my son didn't have anything to give but really I gave $30 already. Do you think I should have given additional gifts?

 

[emma'smom]

Nope....you weren't in the wrong and the teacher won't "count" it against your child.

That said, i would have been one of those moms who sent in a "little something"...but I wouldn't sweat it.

P.S. 30.00 per family---that's steep! What was the group gift?

 

[merekc]

I don't think so. I think $30 is a generous gift and you shouldn't feel bad that you didn't do more. I think teacher gifts can get out of control at times and the intent gets lost in the stress of it all.

 

[msjprincess]

$30 each for a group gift? What the heck did they buy her?

 

[MinnieTink]

Lol. I know $30 is steep right!? They got Visa gift cards!

 

[ReneeA]

WOW! $30!! I don't even spend that on most family member gifts!

No, what you did was more than fine. Maybe not every family went in on the gift and bought small tokens themselves...that's what we normally do. This year my kids picked out some great caramel corn and we attached a $5 Target gift card to it.

 

[Christine]

No, you did fine. I've had that happen too. Don't sweat it. You will NEVER be able to keep up with everyone that goes above and beyond.

 

[southern_redhead]

A) No. It was an expensive group gift, FWIW if I ever do another group gift for our teachers we will make it clear that extra gifts are not necessary so no one worries about this.

B) What did she get for the $360 collected?

 

[tomthebarncat]

Every company I have ever worked for either forbid gifts from clients, or there was a 5 dollar limit and it had to be reported to Human Resources. I would never participate in this type of gift, as I believe gifts are personal and should reflect the nature of the relationship.

 

[shortbun]

OP-please confirm that the $30 was for 1 teacher. Most preschool classes have at least two and sometimes three. If it was me and the money was for multiple teachers, I'd write a nice thankyou note to them. I think teachers like to be appreciated in that way; be sure to have your little one 'sign' the note.

 

[mjkacmom]

While I always give a little extra gift, our school limits the group gift to $5 per family!

 

[shortbun]

Every company I have ever worked for either forbid gifts from clients, or there was a 5 dollar limit and it had to be reported to Human Resources. I would never participate in this type of gift, as I believe gifts are personal and should reflect the nature of the relationship.

This is not a corporate situation, it's preschool and handled quite differently. When you have kids, you'll enter a wonderful new world of teachers and kids with new rules and customs!! Bet you can't wait!

 

[MinnieTink]

OP-please confirm that the $30 was for 1 teacher. Most preschool classes have at least two and sometimes three. If it was me and the money was for multiple teachers, I'd write a nice thankyou note to them. I think teachers like to be appreciated in that way; be sure to have your little one 'sign' the note.

There are two teachers and one aide.

 

[msjprincess]

I admit I usually buy another gift even if I chip in for the group gift. But we usually only put in $5 or $10 per child.

 

[Rora]

Nope! I think the $30 contribution was plenty and I'm a 3rd grade teacher.

No big deal in book and I certainly wouldn't hold it against the student..!

 

[MinnieTink]

Thanks for the opinions. I agree I would have sent something additional too had I contributed 5 or 10 bucks. The $30 was definitely the budget with three kids (and their teachers! Lol) and 13 nieces and nephews, parents and so on...

I don't think my son was too affected but if that had happened to one of my DDs they would have felt embarrassed being empty handed.

 

[Christine]

Thanks for the opinions. I don't think my son was too affected but if that had happened to one of my DDs they would have felt embarrassed being empty handed.

I understand. No matter what I do myself and how much I think I'm doing the right thing, something like that ALWAYS happens and I think I've done something wrong.

I work in a very small office. The first year I was there, we did a secret Santa and that was kind of fun and worked out well. Then the following year and this year, we decided that we were all under stress with our own families and money and that we'd all give each other a break and not do work gifts.

When someone tells me what to do, I pretty much abide by it.

So, this week, I have received two gifts from 2 of my 5 coworkers. I kind of feel bad but then I don't. But why do they do these things?

 

[PrincessBelle09]

No, no, no, don't feel bad. $30 a piece for a group gift is very generous.

 

[3smithboys]

I just had this same discussion with my DH today. I sent in gifts with my 6th grade DS because there is no group gift... but I also have twins in 2nd grade. The class moms for each class collected money for a group gift for their teachers, and we sent in money for each of the group gifts. I then felt guilty for not putting together the same present for their teachers that I made for my 6th grade DS teachers too. DH said why??? We already gave for the group gift... the funny thing is that we are both teachers!!! I guess that is why I wanted to give more....

I asked one of my coworkers who used to be a 1st grade teacher (we teach 6th grade) what happened when she taught 1st grade. She told me that she usually just got the group gift, and that was it. (and she was THRILLED with that!!!

 

[lajones81]

One of the moms from my son's preschool asked all the moms to go in on a group gift for the teachers. She asked for $30 from each family. Tho I could have found cute gifts and spent less, I decided to chip in with the rest. Monday she mentioned that everyone participated. Today there was a little party thos morning. At least 6 of the 12 kids brought the teachers additional gifts. I felt a little bit bad because my son didn't have anything to give but really I gave $30 already. Do you think I should have given additional gifts?

No, as a teacher, I don't think you should have given an additional gift. I had a few students give me an additional gift along with the class gift, but I don't think two gifts are necessary...nice, of course, but not necessary.