how much money for a teacher gift?

[emma'smom]

I totally get that.... I had second grade student who gave me a chipped up piece of plastic with Santa stamped on it. He had it hidden in his coat when he got to class and bee-lined to the art cubbies to get something. He strung a piece of yarn through a hole it in and, as some of the other kids were bringing up little gifts, he wrapped it in notebook paper and taped it all up and then brought it to me with such a big smile. I still hang it on my tree 15 years later--in that case, it was really the thought that counted most. This kid really had no support system and often it was a struggle just to get him to come to school in one piece fed and clothed in proper clothing.

I taught middle school for 17 years and each year it varied on what I was given for Christmas. So if your child wants to give their teachers a present then let them. If not that is ok too.

My favorite present I ever received from a student was a can of government peanut butter. This child wanted to give me something so badly that her and her mother went through their cupboards to find something to give me. The student knew I loved peanut butter and banana sandwhiches so she picked the peanut butter. With the peanut butter was a handmade card. I called the mother to thank her and her daughter for the thoughtful gift. I know how much of a sacrifice they made in order to give me a present. I still have the can (empty of course, I made lots of sandwhiches) and the card.

 

[penn19]

I almost didn't post this, as I know I will get flamed but.....This year I did not give a teachers gift. I have in the past given gc, usually $15 or so, maybe a little more depending on the teacher. I do not like feeling "obligated" to give a gift because everyone else is. I like to give a gift because I want to give a gift. There have been some teachers that I have been room mom for and so have spent time with them and I can tell really want to be there and enjoy teaching not only my child but all the kids. Those are the ones that absolutely I want to get a gift for. Then there are the others. And I don't want to feel like I HAVE to get them something when I really am not feeling it.
In my childs school it's almost like gift bribery. Some of the parents go way over the top, and that of course is their right. But then of course have to tell you how much they gave.

 

[Pembo]

$5 for dd's 2nd grade teacher...She wanted to get her a mug and we filled it with pencils, erasers and pens. Teachers always need extra supplies. DD wrote her a nice card.

It's not a requirement...give what you can, it's the thought that counts.

taylor3297-that is a beautiful story.

 

[Teacher03]

I almost didn't post this, as I know I will get flamed but.....This year I did not give a teachers gift. I have in the past given gc, usually $15 or so, maybe a little more depending on the teacher. I do not like feeling "obligated" to give a gift because everyone else is. I like to give a gift because I want to give a gift. There have been some teachers that I have been room mom for and so have spent time with them and I can tell really want to be there and enjoy teaching not only my child but all the kids. Those are the ones that absolutely I want to get a gift for. Then there are the others. And I don't want to feel like I HAVE to get them something when I really am not feeling it.
In my childs school it's almost like gift bribery. Some of the parents go way over the top, and that of course is their right. But then of course have to tell you how much they gave.

I'm a teacher and I agree with you 100%. I don't think anyone should ever feel obligated to give a gift, especially if it is clear the teacher would like to be anywhere but the classroom. So no flames here.

 

[torinsmom]

I'm a teacher and I agree with you 100%. I don't think anyone should ever feel obligated to give a gift, especially if it is clear the teacher would like to be anywhere but the classroom. So no flames here.

Another teacher here and that is SO TRUE! I usually will give something, but it varies depending on how helpful I think the teacher has been. We have had a few that didn't even get a card--they were that bad.

Marsha

 

[KimFIGFern]

I am a teacher too and it seems that many parents on here are assuming that all children give gifts. This is not true. I work in a very affluent district and only 1/2 of the children give me a gift. The gifts are usually around 5.00.

Please don't feel obligated to get teacher gifts. I know in my classes, there are some parents who are just getting by ... and sometimes, these are the parents giving me a gift. I feel very blessed just teach ... I love it. So, don't feel that you must give a gift. Just my opinion. Happy Holidays.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

My mom used to bake cookies and the teachers loved them. I remember I had teachers 2 years after my brother had them and they always would say they were so excited that they got me b/c they loved my mom's cookies and were looking forward to them

I just did my student teaching and the parents did a joint gift (a $25 American Express gift card and an Angel figure that said thank you).
One girl gave me a candle
One little boy gave me bath and body works wash
and another little boy gave me a $15 gift card to the movies and a bag of movie treats.

But I agree with another poster between $1 and $10 is more than enough, especially if you have to buy for a few teachers.

 

[Sandi]

DD15 is a High School freshman. We gave each of her teachers, her Cross Country Coach, and the musical director a $15 GC to a local coffee shop. We ran into her English teacher while shopping on Saturday and she expressed her thanks to both of us. I know her teachers appreciate even a little something. She is in an excellent school with mostly excellent teachers and many of them really go above and beyond. We feel very fortunate.

 

[poohbear2]

I am a middle school science teacher. Every year a few students will give me a gift but I prefer when they give me something I can use for my classroom. I don't get extra money for lab equipment, supplies etc. SO if I want to have the kids experiment( its science so you can assume it happens a lot) I need to pay out of my own pocket. I love it when I get things like 5.00 gift cards to the supermarket, towels, tissues etc. I don't expect anything for myself.

 

[mjkacmom]

My kids just got home from school, and all of them had gifts from their teachers (in the $5 range). A winter hat, gloves, a singing tail-wagging dog... I love our teachers!

 

[pandora174]

My kids just got home from school, and all of them had gifts from their teachers (in the $5 range). A winter hat, gloves, a singing tail-wagging dog... I love our teachers!

Me too !! DS came home with a chocholate advent calendar from Cracker Barrell from his teacher (I saw it before & wanted it for me ). His ESE teacher gave him a huge Christmas coloring book & he made a stocking she filled it with candy & then one the volunteers (feel totally embarrassed since I did not know we had volunteers- they never ask, only for events). Turns out this gentelman is a retired teacher & he volunteers helping out the ESE teachers so he left the ESE kids a $10 gc to Wal-Mart on their desk on the last day of school

It's a small private school. This is DS's 2nd year at his school & his teachers have always given each child Christmas & end of year gifts. Previously he attended pre-k in our local public school district & while we gave his teachers gifts, we never expected he receive anything, since I knew the budget cuts were brutal. So it's still new to us when he comes home with gifts from school ! At the end of school last year he got a beach bucket with his name on it & lots of goodies for the beach/pool. It is so thoughtful ! Our school is also on our church's property & at the end of the church pageant, each child that participated got a tin of homemade goodies & 3 gold Dollar coins

 

[sk!mom]

My kids just got home from school, and all of them had gifts from their teachers (in the $5 range). A winter hat, gloves, a singing tail-wagging dog... I love our teachers!

I teach elementary and always give my students a gift bag. This year it was Duncan yo-yos, animal clip bookmarks, and candy. I started this years ago in place of a student gift exchange.

 

[englishteacha]

I'm glad I'm not the only teacher to give her students "something." I gave everyone an ornament (a red, shatterproof ball) with their name on it and the year (I wrote their names with my best teacher handwriting!), and a mini jar of play-doh. It wasn't expensive but they were delighted with their play-doh and ornaments. I asked them all to make something with their play-doh and I took a picture with my webcam. I make an end-of-year slide show with pictures of stuff we've done throughout the year, and these photos will be part of it. (I teach 7th grade)

I got a few presents this year-2 mugs filled with candy, and some peppermint bark to share with my co-teacher. Oh, and a candy cane! Nothing extravagant, by any means, but it is nice to be thought of!

 

[manhattan]

This year I gave my daughter's second grade teacher a $20 gift card to a local restaurant that she likes to go to. My HS kids just pick up little things they think their teacher will appreciate - last week we had to go to three different stores to find Dots in the big box....cause that is what my daughter wanted to give her teacher - LOL! But through the years we have given many different types of gifts, one year when we actually were able to afford it we gave a $200 gift card to Saks Fifth Avenue. Another year we all chipped in to buy an air conditioning unit for a nun. Every year I read the thread on teacher's holiday gifts and learn a little more

 

[aprilgail2]

My kids just got home from school, and all of them had gifts from their teachers (in the $5 range). A winter hat, gloves, a singing tail-wagging dog... I love our teachers!

My daughters teacher gave each kid a small goodie bag and she also sent home a 25.00 gift card to a local restaurant for me! I am assuming she did the same for the other class parent. I do appreciate it but I think it was way to much-I like being class parent, it does cost a bunch of money out of pocket since we run out of class party money quickly but when you sign up for class parent you know what you are in for!