Is a $5 gift card too cheap?

[mommy2emily]

Thanks for the responses!!! I am going to get WaWa gift cards today, I figure they can get a cup of coffee or a hoagie for lunch or something. I was on the fence since I already bought for 3 teachers and 3 bus drivers so I wanted to do a little something for the "extra" teachers to show them they are appreciated too! It just gets so costly, so I will do the $5 and have no guilt!

 

[Juliet25]

I gave each of my DD's four day care teachers a $5 gift card to Starbucks last year. Honestly, I felt so sheepish about the amount (it was all I could afford), but they really seemed to appreciate it.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I did $5 Starbucks gcs for my son's teachers. There are 7 of them (one k teacher, one full time aide for the class, plus art, music, gym, librarian and technology). I hated to leave out the 'specials' teachers, because I figure they get less than the 'regular' teachers anyway. I thought $5 was fine.

(And if it helps to look at it this was, $5 from each of the students is $125!!!)

 

[las3888]

I teach violin in my home and one of my students just gave me a $5 gift card to a local store as well as a really fancy caramel apple. I was perfectly happy with the gift and thought it was very thoughtful. If you wanted to 'beef' it up, tie it to a small bag of home-made cookies or something...I am sure it will be very nice to be thought of either way!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Seriously... think of what you would do to save $5. How can someone possibly believe a gift of ANYTHING is cheap, especially where a return gift isn't expected? Hell, I get excited when I find a giftcard in the bottom of an old purse and there's still $1 on it!!

Go find the most practical card for the recipient to use with the design you think that person would like best... DD, Starbucks, Subway, Panera, Chik-fil-A, etc.

 

[teacherlisa1978]

That is just so nice. $5 is great! I taught first grade for 7 years and would get several Starbucks cards for $5 and larger amounts and would just load them all together. Now that I'm a reading specialist I pull out small groups of kids from 7 different classes to work with during the day. The difference in the amount of cards notes and gifts I received was striking. I would be thrilled just to get a note of thanks or appreciation and a $5 card would make my day!

 

[beansmom]

even if it wasn't a free lunch, coffee and donut, whatever...i'd be tickled to save $5 on it. How very thoughtful of you.

 

[LilSweetPeaPhoto]

Crap! I forgot about the special's teachers! And I'm a teacher (though HS so I get NOTHING).

Do you think it's tacky to give the gift in the new year?

I already had to buy for 8 teachers, so I honestly forgot them (4 DC teacher for DS, 2 directors, and 2 Kindy teachers for DD).

 

[daisyduck123]

$5.00 gift cards are great!

I love those MUCH MORE than a $20.00 candle/lotion set/picture frame etc. I can actually use the gift card, but all those knick knacks will only net me about $1.00 or $2.00 each at my annual yard sale.

Go for the gift card!

 

[ellone]

I have close friends who are teachers, and trust me, they would rather have a gift card for any amount than the dozens of trinket gifts they get at the holidays and at the end of the year (lotions, soaps, candy, socks, etc).

there is no way they would be disappointed in a $5 gift card!!

My sister is a teacher and she definitely prefers the gift cards. She actually came over today and gave me some soap/body lotion stuff she got (she's allergic to many of them) and candy. While she likes candy, most of her students got her the few kinds she dislikes.

 

[hpfan100]

I was thinking of getting DD's special teachers (art, gym, library and music) a $5 gift card since there are 4 teachers. I already purchased a $20 gift card for her teacher. Is $5 too cheap? Dunkin Donuts or Wawa (for those who aren't familiar with WaWa it is a convenience store, coffee, and sells gas too) popular here in Jersey.

already said over and over but that is a great gift idea!!! I'm a special ed teacher and would love a DD or Qt (that's our gas station) gift card

How thoughtful of you to think of all your child's teachers....that makes the day so sunny and bright

 

[mefordis]

What about a gift card to iTunes?

$5.00 gift cards are great!

I love those MUCH MORE than a $20.00 candle/lotion set/picture frame etc. I can actually use the gift card, but all those knick knacks will only net me about $1.00 or $2.00 each at my annual yard sale.

Go for the gift card!

 

[dumbocutie]

My husband is a teacher and would love a $5 gift card. Just knowing he is appreciated and the child is excited about learning makes him feel good. So when the child's family gives him a homemade cookie or whatever he is happy.

Just knowing you are in their thoughts truly makes his day.

Merry Christmas

 

[englishteacha]

I would LOVE a DD gift card. And I know that my friends who teach allied arts and PE would love it, too. We rarely get to treat ourselves!

 

[patchchild]

As a teacher, I love the couple of $5 cards I get. I keep them in the car to treat myself after a long day. Even better if it comes with a card.

 

[Fly4free]

I had the same idea as you. I sent my middle school son's teachers (5 of them) each a $5 DD gift card along with a plate of Christmas goodies. They were so surprised and happy.

I really wanted to give them all something since they often stay with him after school to help him with his organization and HW. I would have liked to give more, but I think the fact that I recognized and showed appreciation went a long way with them.

 

[jlodoj]

My ds (2nd grade) picked out gifts for all of his specials teachers. He said when he gave it to them that they were so surprised and all said that his was the only gift that they had ever received. I was shocked....we just transferred to this school system last year. I am sure they will love the gift card!

 

[blackforest]

Crap! I forgot about the special's teachers! And I'm a teacher (though HS so I get NOTHING).

Do you think it's tacky to give the gift in the new year?

I already had to buy for 8 teachers, so I honestly forgot them (4 DC teacher for DS, 2 directors, and 2 Kindy teachers for DD).

Sorry that your not my DD15's teacher! I always buy for the teachers, especially MS and HS! You guys are the unsung heros. I taught too, but never wanted to teach HS. I figured once the students were taller than me I was in trouble!

Our gcs range from $25 to $10 for teachers (school and activities) and bus drivers. The secretaries get candy and a small gift. The principals get candy. And everyone gets a note, either written by my DDs (15 & 8), or by me when they were younger.

Everyone likes to be acknowledged and my 2 DDs would not be succeeding in school without their teachers and everyone who has a hand it it!