Hmmm..

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Dang. I just sent my DD to school with a stocking that had in it -

A Christmas kitchen towel, a christmas mug, hot chocolate mix, one of those small photo clip holders shaped like a christmas tree and a Star bucks gift card.

I knew I should've gotten the target gift card at least. Oh well, better luck next year. LOL

 

[KateMW]

I sent my daughter's two teachers beautiful glass bottles of hand soap. With h1n1 and whatnot going around they're washing their hands all the time. At least this way they have nice soap to use at home. It's fig and so yummy!

I also sent a huge jar of these many choc. chip cookies that my friend's store sells to the office for everybody to share. They're so good too. I give money at the end of the year, so I'm pretty secure in my choices. Sorry you didn't like your haul though. Maybe you can regift to friends, mailmen, etc.

 

[mjkacmom]

I asked all the parents in DS's class if they'd like to go in on a Visa gift card. They were all thrilled with the idea and said yes. We didnt keep track of who gave what. In the end we ended up with $250! And that's just from 11 kids. I was really surprised. There are two teachers so each will get a $125 gift card.

We did this last year too and the teacher from last year said she sure wished someone was doing that in her class this year. Not that she doesnt appreciate the small gifts but the Visa card could be used anywhere. Plus without someone doing a collection, a lot of the parents dont even think about getting a gift for the teachers.

Wow, not here. The PTO class parent chair reminds the class parents to send out the $5 donation letter, and the majority of parents send in gifts from their families as well. I was a member of the teacher appreciation committee, and I can't tell you how many parents were up in arms when we ran out of items needed for the lunch and brunch! We had WAY too much food!

 

[millerpjm]

I got DS's teacher a Captain Mickey pin on our Magic cruise, but only because I knew she was a Disney fan. She had gone to WDW again over the summer...

If I did not know that I think I would have given a Target gift card.

 

[Ceila]

We made peppermint bark last year for the teachers and staff and we got several requests for the recipe, so we're making another batch this year.

 

[mommyofboys]

My older son is in 3rd grade~for his teacher I made a donation to make a wish and will write her a note in the card, a bag of Hershey Bliss (she likes chocolate) and we just had a book fair at school and the teacher's request books for their classroom so we purchased her a book for her room.

My youngest son is in pre-k and they have 4 teachers so I did the make a wish donation (with a note) a book that they requested and I volunteer in the classroom for parties and they have this $ store can opener so I went out and bought them a nice once.

 

[Juliet25]

I knew no matter how I worded it someone would say I was being ungreatful..

Not ungrateful, but it does get tiring to hear people constantly bemoaning the gifts they receive. I want to acknowledge my children's teacher with a gift at Christmas time, but it seems like it's impossible to pick a good one!

I took to heart the suggestions in year's past that gift cards are a good idea. Now I see that my choice last year (Starbucks) was a poor one.

What are us parents supposed to be giving?

 

[disykat]

What are us parents supposed to be giving?

Well, several teachers on this thread have already suggested having your child make a card.

 

[mjkacmom]

Not ungrateful, but it does get tiring to hear people constantly bemoaning the gifts they receive. I want to acknowledge my children's teacher with a gift at Christmas time, but it seems like it's impossible to pick a good one!

I took to heart the suggestions in year's past that gift cards are a good idea. Now I see that my choice last year (Starbucks) was a poor one.

What are us parents supposed to be giving?

I've found these threads to be so helpful! I don't want to give a gift that isn't used. I'm not a teacher, but I don't want gifts that I don't use, just because of the guilt factor (I'm not a waster). Ever since reading these threads, I've steered clear of the candles, and stick to gift cards - barnes and noble, plus a giant pack of glue sticks from Amazing Savings. I also never realized how much teachers love letters from the students and teachers, and have started this tradition as well.

 

[Mkrop]

Not ungrateful, but it does get tiring to hear people constantly bemoaning the gifts they receive. I want to acknowledge my children's teacher with a gift at Christmas time, but it seems like it's impossible to pick a good one!

I took to heart the suggestions in year's past that gift cards are a good idea. Now I see that my choice last year (Starbucks) was a poor one.

What are us parents supposed to be giving?

Many people love Starbucks, maybe your child's teacher is a fan of Starbucks or her DH is. I would not worry about it. DH coaches and has recieved many different types of gift cards (including Starbucks) and we have always found a home for them or been able to purchase something there. My future SIL was thrilled when DH handed her a gift card for Starbucks that he could not use.

I have now begun to steer clear of candles and lotions bc of these threads but I am certainly not going to drive myself crazy trying to figure it out either.

I am sure your gift will be appreciated!


ETA: I did Panera Bread giftcards, I hope they like them.

 

[lecach]

Don't those Visa gift cards come with a bunch of "catches"? (They have to be used by a certain time, there's a fee for certain uses, whatever?) Just something to mention to the giftee. Unless I'm mistaken, in which case that's something to mention to me, LOL.

On the ones I got the only catch was that after 6 months they will start taking out a $1 per month fee. I very much doubt there will be anything left on them by January - much less 6 months. I did have to pay a $1 fee for each card but that's much cheaper than the ones at the stores (usually a $3.95 activation fee). I read all the fine print and there werent any strings on the ones I got. Maybe some do, but since I got them at the State Employees Credit union I feel pretty safe with them.

 

[kinntj]

We got the bus drivers a hot chocolate gift set with mug for a thought, since last year we didn't get them anything. The teachers got a Meijer gift card and the hot chocolate mug set. The hot chocolate sets were picked out by our DD's, so if the teacher's don't like them, they can regift.

 

[Tiger926]

Here in Canada, it's Tim Horton's, not Starbucks, that everyone gift-cards for teachers.... but luckily, Timmies offers a very wide range of breakfast & lunch foods; bagels, muffins, sandwiches, soups... and of course, coffee!!!

I honestly don't know of any Canadian that won't consume SOMETHING from Tim Horton's on a regular basis.

Me - can't stand Tim Horton's. Yuck!

For the record, I'm a teacher, and I do find these posts to be ungrateful. There is no need to teach parent's a lesson about what gifts to give, as that is tacky. It's just like here at home - we don't do wish lists or letters to Santa, as we find it unbecoming to ask for gifts. One should not ask for gifts, nor, feel the need to 'school' others on what gifts to purchase, IMHO. Even my 6 and 2 year old babes know this...

Just wondering if you would allow your kids or students to post on here about the gifts that you gifted to them and how much they didn't need those gifts?

If you don't care for the gifts, give them away, but please, don't mention to others how you don't want or need them. It makes all of us teachers seem ungrateful and unappreciative.

Tiger

 

[Mickeypooh99]

If you don't care for the gifts, give them away, but please, don't mention to others how you don't want or need them. It makes all of us teachers seem ungrateful and unappreciative.

Tiger

I agree with this. Some teachers may not like mugs, lotions, or candles, but some might really enjoy those things. Gift cards to starbucks might not be your thing, but I'm sure you know someone who you could give it to.

If a teacher feels that she/he is getting too many unwanted items they should try what our elementary school does. They send home a note saying that while they appreciate the thought they really aren't in need of anything, and there are many people who are truly in need. Please don't send any personal gifts for me (teacher.) If you are feeling generous and would like to give a gift please contribute to XXXX charity in my name.

Okay- so that isn't really the right wording, but it is something like that! Then we just send in money or a donation from a wish list. This year the classrooms adopted a family in need, and I sent in items from the families wish list. They were mostly asking for clothing and food.

Another teacher had a similar letter that said again no personal gifts, but you could donate to the classroom. Then she sent a list of classroom needs including board games and activities for indoor recess. This way the kids can still pick out and bring a gift. My son was thrilled to pick out a tub of legos, wrap it, and write out a note and card for the teacher.

 

[jodifla]

I teach preschool and really appreciate all the gifts I have received this week.

That being said, maybe some of you can learn from this.

I received: 6 packs of gormet hot chocolate (2 with mugs)
5 gift cards for Starbucks
1 for DD
1 for grocery store
1 for Target (love this one!)
1 for local restaurant (love this too!)
2 ornaments
1 decorative plate
1 pointsettia (looks nice on kitchen table)

I have been on a diet since July (lost 20lbs!) and I have been trying to stay away from all the high calorie drinks, so I will give away most of the HC and the Sbux cards.

Not sure why there was such a "hot drink" theme this year..

In our case, most parents pooled together for a gift card from Target. To me, that's the much better gift in these hard times. I pay a nominal amount, but added along with everyone else's money, it makes for a hefty $100+ gift card.

 

[delmar411]

we sent in $15 GCs to Meijer (which is a grocery store that has great sales, doubles coupons and sell regular merchandise/electronics like Walmart). I figured it was a safe bet.

the little kids also made their teachers ornaments. They wanted to and if the teachers don't like them they are free to dispose of them and my feelings wouldn't be hurt at all.

We also sent in digital photo frames that are magnets, like for your fridge. Older DD said her one teacher was beyond excited about it and already had it filled with family pictures and up on the smartboard the next day. He also sent me an email thanking me for the gifts and telling me that we sent the coolest gift of the year. LOL So I guess those were a good idea.

of course I also sent in candy but it's all wrapped stuff so they can either pass it along to their families or use it as stocking stuffers for their kids if they don't want to eat it.

I like when teachers post on forums about what makes a good gift. I'd prefer to give something useful and wanted instead of just giving something they'd feel is an after thought or obligation gift. I appreciate all of my kids teachers a lot and want to express that to them. I'm not much of a letter writer so I prefer to give something thoughtful.

I also donated a bunch of prize box treats to my DD's kindergarten class since I know the teachers spend their own money on those. So I hope that puts a little extra back in her pocket with not having to buy all those things.

 

[zoemurr]

1. Of course I appreciate everything.. that was not the intention of my post.
2. We did ask for donations to a local charity or for the classroom and did receive a few of each.
3. Before I was a teacher I did purchase cocoa and similar items for teachers. If someone had told me how many of these type of things teachers receive I would have done something else.
4. I hate to see people waste money, so I thought my post may help with that.
5. I have already regifted 1/2 of the cocoa. I feel bad about giving it away, but I could never use the huge amount that I received.
6. Can we be done beating up on me?

 

[mjkacmom]

1. Of course I appreciate everything.. that was not the intention of my post.
2. We did ask for donations to a local charity or for the classroom and did receive a few of each.
3. Before I was a teacher I did purchase cocoa and similar items for teachers. If someone had told me how many of these type of things teachers receive I would have done something else.
4. I hate to see people waste money, so I thought my post may help with that.
5. I have already regifted 1/2 of the cocoa. I feel bad about giving it away, but I could never use the huge amount that I received.
6. Can we be done beating up on me?

OP, I think most of us understand why you posted. When dd13 started school, I'm sure I sent in candles and mugs filled with cocoa, not knowing that everyone else did too. One of my good friends is a teacher, and after reading these threads, I asked her about it, and she confirmed the fact that she could light up a city with her candles. I think a PSA on a message board is a great way to get the word out - my friend had never mentioned or complained about receiving so many of the same items to me, and wouldn't have. Every teacher I've given a gift to has thanked me graciously, even for mugs.

 

[lecach]

1. Of course I appreciate everything.. that was not the intention of my post.
2. We did ask for donations to a local charity or for the classroom and did receive a few of each.
3. Before I was a teacher I did purchase cocoa and similar items for teachers. If someone had told me how many of these type of things teachers receive I would have done something else.
4. I hate to see people waste money, so I thought my post may help with that.
5. I have already regifted 1/2 of the cocoa. I feel bad about giving it away, but I could never use the huge amount that I received.
6. Can we be done beating up on me?

I also dont think you're being ungrateful. I think it's VERY useful to post what you received so that others dont waste their money. I know that daycare/preschool teachers dont make much money and I for one wouldnt want to waste MY money on something they cant use. Thanks so much for the work you do AND for posting this info.

 

[RN01]

Me - can't stand Tim Horton's. Yuck!

For the record, I'm a teacher, and I do find these posts to be ungrateful. There is no need to teach parent's a lesson about what gifts to give, as that is tacky. It's just like here at home - we don't do wish lists or letters to Santa, as we find it unbecoming to ask for gifts. One should not ask for gifts, nor, feel the need to 'school' others on what gifts to purchase, IMHO. Even my 6 and 2 year old babes know this...

Just wondering if you would allow your kids or students to post on here about the gifts that you gifted to them and how much they didn't need those gifts?

If you don't care for the gifts, give them away, but please, don't mention to others how you don't want or need them. It makes all of us teachers seem ungrateful and unappreciative.

Tiger

I agree with this 100% That is part of the reason I did not give teacher gifts this year. I don't want to give them something that I think they would like and just have them give it away.