How much do you spend on teacher gifts?

[minkydog]

My DS10 has one teacher and two parapros who work their butts off with him everyday. I usually give them something nice, like movie tickets($20) or a restaurant gift card($25). He also has several therapists and other teachers(adapted PE, vision, speech, OT,PT, music, art) and I give them something small,like homemade cookies or a gift card to the local ice cream shop($5). One year I made up Dinner in a Jar meals and they went over very well.

 

[txgirl]

This year I spent:
1st grade teacher: $25
2 4th grade teachers: $15 each
tiger scout leader: $10
Girl scout leaders: nominal gift because I am a coleader with them
piano teacher: $20 (2 kids)
bus driver: $20 (2 kids)

I spend more on these people than a lot of family members. I feel like my parents, siblings, etc. have been blessed with a lot. I want these people to know how much I value them and appreciate the job that they do. In some areas these are probably low numbers, but where I live they are on the high end. Also, I give giftcards so they can put to use however they would like.

You are the first person who I've found to agree with me on this! I always debate this with my girlfriend's every year. I feel like they have as much of an influence on my children as any of their family members do! I really put a lot of thought in to their gift and I also try to do little tokens throughout the year (sticky pads, classroom supplies, and the occasional Starbucks really make their day!)

This year I am using red fleece blankets that I got at the after-Christmas Target sale last year and having their names monogrammed on them with white snowflakes. (ie: Mrs. Smith would have on her blanket; "The Smith Family") I am putting them in metal buckets with hot chocolate and homemade sweets with a cheesy note about snuggling up with their family and enjoying the holidays! Total cost about $10 but it's because I planned ahead (for once!)

 

[challada]

Well, I'm a cheapy, but like others have said, it seems the list gets longer and longer every year...

K teacher gets: 1 $5 fleece blanket which I embroider with all the kids names in the class
5th teacher gets: 1 free towel set (from Amazon deal about 8 months ago) embroidered w/her family name on it (she got the blanket last year as our teachers loop for two years)
Office staff gets candle sets ($5 each)
Principal gets BBW gift ($20)...as PTA president the last few years, I've had lots of interaction w/her and she is now a good friend
Enrichment teacher gets small BBW gift (10)

Piano teacher gets: 1 $10 denim shirt embroidered w/his hobby and name
Cub scout assistant gets: basket of treats and goodies (probably will be largest of teacher gifts as this is her last year w/me as our boys are going on to the next level)
Girl scout assistant gets: basket of goodies
Daycare gets....can't tell you as I know she'll be reading this, but definitely good stuff, LOL!

My Disney embroidery machine has paid for itself in all the gifts that I do at Christmas time.

 

[txaggiemomof3]

All teachers are getting $10 gift cards to different places. Between three kids ranging from preschool to third grade I have 7 gift cards to buy. The PTO solicited wish lists from the teachers so we got sheets saying what their hobbies, favorite places to eat/shop, etc. where. That has helped a lot. Several of us have decided to get $10 gift cards from the same places so that the teacher will get something individually from each child yet together it will be a nice amount to spend at a place she likes (such as Gap or Barnes and Noble).

I will get the bus driver a $5 gift card and my dd's Brownie leaders are getting a mall gift certificate (each girl is contributing $5 per leader which will add up to $50 for each).

Usually I try to be creative but this year I just do not have the time. I never remember giving gifts when I was in school. I certainly appreciate everything my children's teachers do but it does get really expensive when you have multiple kids with multiple teachers!!

 

[txgirl]

it does get really expensive when you have multiple kids with multiple teachers!!

I agree! My youngest is not in preschool yet, but it can come close to breaking the bank! I love the idea of the coordinated gift cards through PTO.

 

[lbgraves]

There aren't many teacher gifts given at our school. That has alot to do with the demographics. I don't spend alot on them since I collect all year long with clearance but now with both kids in school I have 2 teachers & 2 assistants to buy for. The kids already took in their gifts so that they can enjoy them all month (pretty decorative candles for the holidays that were $10 retail). I also send in a goodie bag on the first day of school with some supplies the teachers can use in the classroom, a light up pumkin on 10/1 for Halloween, a goodie bag for Valentine's day & Easter. I also make up a gift bag for them at the end of the year. So far this year I have large margaritta glasses with frozen drink mixes, cute fish shaped candles, & a beach towel. Last year I made up a scrapbook for DS's K teacher. This year I plan to do a CD with the pictures and music.

 

[Paxtrist]

5th grade teacher- Yankee candle and $20 gift card to Barnes and Noble.

The other 5th grade teacher is getting a box of chocolates and $20 Barnes and Noble gift card.

Two 3rd grade teachers are getting Yankee candle and box of chocolate each.

2 Girl Scout leaders- Movie basket with $20 gift card.

Cheering coach - movie basket with $20 gift card.

Basketball coach- movie basket with $20 gift card.

 

[lecach]

Can someone tell me if this is okay for my DS's daycare teachers (I am new to this - DS just turned 1 today!).

I want to thank the teachers DS had in the infant room (he just moved up on Halloween) and also thank the teachers in his new class. Thats 5 teachers. Plus there are several floaters and subs that DS interacts with. If I gave each of them a gift of any substance ($10 at least) it would be a fortune. So I thought we'd do a pizza party. That way all 12-15 women would get a gift and I dont have to worry about leaving anyone out. Dominos has a special - buy 1 pizza for $5, get two additional for $5. So I will provide about 4 or 5 pizzas, soda, plates, napkins. Should cost around $35-45 total. Does this sound okay?

 

[Teacher03]

Can someone tell me if this is okay for my DS's daycare teachers (I am new to this - DS just turned 1 today!).

I want to thank the teachers DS had in the infant room (he just moved up on Halloween) and also thank the teachers in his new class. Thats 5 teachers. Plus there are several floaters and subs that DS interacts with. If I gave each of them a gift of any substance ($10 at least) it would be a fortune. So I thought we'd do a pizza party. That way all 12-15 women would get a gift and I dont have to worry about leaving anyone out. Dominos has a special - buy 1 pizza for $5, get two additional for $5. So I will provide about 4 or 5 pizzas, soda, plates, napkins. Should cost around $35-45 total. Does this sound okay?

I think that is a great idea! When I taught preschool, one of the moms did this for the staff, and we loved it.

 

[Dismom+two]

I think a pizza party sounds wonderful!! Nice idea!!!!

 

[sk!mom]

It varies from year to year depending on the relationship that DD has with each teacher.

Piano and 2 dance teachers - $10 each.

Ballet teacher- $35 (DD9 is dancing a challenging role in The Nutcracker and this teacher has been wonderful in helping her prepare. We wanted to show our appreciation for her extra effort.)

Homeroom teacher- usually about $20. She's in my class this year though so probably nothing.

Other teachers (PE, music, etc...)- $5 - I got great lotions and soaps on clearance at Bath and Body.

 

[foofanella]

I live in Manhattan where it's incredibly competitive to even GET into Kindergarten, so at some of the schools, there are rumors about Mom's buying Prada and Gucci bags for the admissions director and the PreK teachers in the hopes of getting the best letter of recommendation that money can buy.

In my daughters public Kindergarten class, we were asked for $100 (!) to cover the teacher, assistant, music, gym and art teachers. I guess it sounds like a lot, but as I am writing this, i realize it's actually only $20/teacher.

 

[lovinpoohbear]

I know what you mean....my youngest son is 18 months old and the room mother of his childcare class is collecting $100 from each child. This is a class of 8 children with 2 teachers so they will be getting american express giftcards for the holidays of $400 each. I'm not opposed sinc ce I know daycare teachers make close to minimum wage and they deserve a nice bonus for the holidays!!!!!!!! They do sooo much and get paid so little!

 

[TnTWalter]

Last year I gave everyone $5 gift cards. This year I found bracelet kits at Michael's on Clearance for $1 each and I made Peppermint Bark for each. The most I've spent in years past is $10 each. But I do give a little end of year gift too.

I give to teachers, bus driver, postman. That's it. No principal, no other specialty teacher, nada.

My budget is very tight.

Trish

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I'm a cheapy too, but I try to not make it look like I am!! The weekend after Thanksgiving our White Barn Candle company had their wallflowers (sorta like plug ins) on sale for $6 each, usually they are $12.50 each. So I got my sons Preschool teacher, her assistant, our Preschool director, and our Sunday school teachers all one. So one of those and some homemade goodies and there's a cute gift that looks more expensive than it was!!

 

[etwinchester]

My friend is a bus driver and she told me that she is cutting back on what she gets teachers and such. She knows what it is like getting 20 or so gifts from students and sometimes she doesn't know what to do with it all.

My daughter and I are making mugs out of constuction paper and putting a pack of hot chocolate mix in it. We write "Happy Holidays" and a sticker that says "Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day". I think it will be nice to get something creative and not spending a lot of money...

She liked this idea and complimented on my creativeness, plus it's something they can use and made by the child as well...

Hope they will like it. I don't want to get crazy with gifts. It gets too expensive especially when we donate for girl scouts, toys for tots, etc....

 

[mermaidwannabe]

My friend is a bus driver and she told me that she is cutting back on what she gets teachers and such. She knows what it is like getting 20 or so gifts from students and sometimes she doesn't know what to do with it all.

My daughter and I are making mugs out of constuction paper and putting a pack of hot chocolate mix in it. We write "Happy Holidays" and a sticker that says "Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day". I think it will be nice to get something creative and not spending a lot of money...

She liked this idea and complimented on my creativeness, plus it's something they can use and made by the child as well...

Hope they will like it. I don't want to get crazy with gifts. It gets too expensive especially when we donate for girl scouts, toys for tots, etc....

What a great idea! I have two friends who are teachers and they pretty much groan when they see a real mug! They get tons of them, I guess. I like your idea. Cute! I may steal your creative creation! It's even a great gift card holder idea. Thanks!

 

[etwinchester]

Thanks for your praise. I was hoping it wasn't too cheesy or cheap of an idea. The mugs are a little bigger than a hot chocolate packet with both sides and bottom glued together (leaving top open for the packet to stick out) and a handle glued between the two pieces of paper on the right hand side. We put their names on the mug handle and who it is from on the back.

I was also being funny and put a warning underneath the "Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day - warning: do not use mug supplied". I figured that everything else you see now a days has a warning label on it.

I also made these for little gifts at work. Last year we made them for each family member from DD. We didn't use the label idea above, I just let her put stickers and draw all over it.

Next year I'm going to make red stockings out of construction paper and put candy in them. I like the homemade gifts as you can tell. Oriental trading also has sets you can buy that the kids put together. I got the wagons at Valentines day for the family and they were a big hit...

 

[JenniferW]

As a teacher I thought I would share what I receive typically... (no comment or judgement just info)

I teach 1st grade at a public school in suburban area with a mix of high (some of the houses are 800,000 and up) and low income kids (low income apartments across the street).

I have 20 kids in my class and usually I receive about 12 or so items. (those who don't give it isn't a matter of money, it's just not something they do)

the majority of the those gifts are store bought: a mug, candle, lotion baskets, books, etc.

1-2 will be either gift certificates to teacher stores, Target, Walmart, etc.

1 usually is a big personal item, a massage, pedicure something along those lines, gift certifciate to restaurants, movies, etc.

also, there are a few homemade food/craft items

I open up the presents privately with just the child present and am just as appreciative of each gift, each child is so proud and excited.

I'm sharing not to gloat, complain or otherwise express an opinion, just pass on info as what I've received in the 8 years I've been there to give you ideas.

Jenn

 

[cascadecupcake]

$3 each. I get them a package of holiday print 9" paper plates, matching napkins, and matching 7" plates. Stack them up, tie them with a bow, and the kids deliver them. Male teachers get an edible gift instead. (jar of nuts, somthing like that) Each kid has about 4-6 teachers, so that is usually around $30-40. That's all I can afford to do. The teachers love it, though! Get raves every year. They love that it is seasonally festive, that it provides convenience for them, and mostly that after it is used it is gone forever--no clutter!