off subject (sorry) - teachers out there...

[lntsmom]

Board games or activities for days when there's inside recess, supplies for art and writing centers (fun shape scissors, markers, calligraphy pens, stamps and ink, fun paper, etc), or supplies like colored copy paper, pretty folders, etc.

I know a lot of teachers say they love gift cards, etc, but I always feel uncomfortable with personal gifts.

For one thing, I've seen parents use them as a weapon to punish teachers they don't like. One year a mom bought all her children's "good" teachers peacock chairs and totally ignored the teachers she didn't like. THAT was uncomfortable.

For another, I've seen kids upset when they don't have a gift to offer. Some young children really hurt when they see a teacher lavishing thanks on another child. It puts a teacher in a spot when a gift is presented in front of everyone else. I always try to tell the kids I'll open the gifts later, when our class party is over and done, but there are always those parents and children who insist the gift be opened in front of everyone.

Finally, it bothers me that there are teachers who rarely get these little perks. Rarely do the art, music, pe, and speech teachers get recognized. I've never seen counselors or therapists get a gift. And, I'd be amazed if any parent ever sent gifts for the custodians or lunch ladies. Yet, if any one of those people wasn't there, the children's education woudl suffer.

So, my thought is: if you want to honor a wonderful teacher, send her something for her classroom. It can be supplies, room decor (pillows, beanbag chairs, shelves), or fun stuff for the kids. But, consider sending something like a tin of popcorn or boxes of assorted teas or another fun food item to be placed in the teacher's lounge for everyone's enjoyment!

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! 1st grade teacher chiming in

Gift cards!!

Any size amount is appreciated ....I've gotten $5.00 gift cards & $200.00 gift cards (that one was from my class).

Even a $5.00 gift card is more preferred over $20.00 worth of lotion, ornaments, knick-knacks, etc.

 

[J3nn78]

I really would not sweat the amount. As a teacher, I have gotten a range of $ value on gifts. I really never thought any more or less of a child or their parents based on what I get. Honestly, too much of a gift would make me uncomfortable rather than none at all.
I plan on spending about 20 on my DS's teacher.

 

[NJtoATL]

As a teacher, I appreciate the thought most of all. Gift cards to welcomed. We are real people too. We like things that we can use. I have gotten items that were awesome ie- gift cards with $150.00 balance and a Coach wallet. I also have gotten an used pen from a child as a Christmas gift. Every year is different. I never really expect anything from my students and parents. I just hope that they support my efforts and appreciate the job I do.

I will say that most teachers are not into the apple thing. An apple a day may keep the doctor away. It will surely go rotten sitting on my desk!!


This year, one of my parents has brought me lunch four times and has given me a gift card to Macy's for $100. It's not Christmas yet but it felt like it that day.

 

[abc123mom]

When I taught 1st grade I also thought gift cards were nice, especially those I could use to add to the classroom (WalMart, Office store, Teacher store). I also enjoyed a heartfelt letter of thanks. In fact I still have each one I received.

I did have one parent who offered to plan a special activity, as the family's gift to me. She assembled a graham cracker/frosting "gingerbread" house for every student and then had all the other classroom parents send in candy and frosting for decorating. We had a very special holiday activity and I didn't have to do anything but enjoy my time with the kids and parents who came in to help. She organized it all!

I know that was one of my favorite holiday gifts, being able to enjoy something fun with my students that I didn't have to worry about planning and organizing. Fabulous gift!!

 

[iammrsnesbitt]

I agree that ANY money amount for a gift card is appreciated (even $5 is nice), but anything over $25 is really excessive. I got $200 from one child once and I almost fainted! It was so nice, but crazy ridiculous!! We had a lot of communication and I think she really wanted to do something to show her thanks, but yikes!

One of my favorite gift cards was for Dunkin Donuts (if you know he/she likes coffee). Also- my husband gets TONS of Barnes & Noble - it is a joke with us.(We must have about $100 left over from last year) But, they are so useful since they sell so much - especially online and he can use it for his classroom or for books for our own kids.

 

[dancin'girl]

I really loved getting gifts for the classroom.
I was an art teacher and I received a giant tub of markers, some clay, glitter glue, etc. I taught in a school with a tight budget and once I received my materials in September - that was it. I often had to get creative come springtime - I was usually running out of supplies by then!
So, I could always use new materials and those "classroom" gifts were much appreciated.
If you want to give something more personal, I would say go with a gift card. I have tubs in my garage filled with really nice gifts that I will probably never use!

 

[RubySlippers]

Our local library sells wonderful large canvas tote bags for $12.00. They are really great bags. They sell a lot of them for teacher gifts during the holidays and end of the school year gifts.

Ruby

 

[peanut1967]

I know I am intending giving a whole staff present, a coffee and cookies basket. I know the school our ds gos to they have to buy there own drinks. the school I worked in for 10 years the staff also had to put in money to buy coffee and tea.

 

[EthansMom]

I give gift cards to Borders ($25, usually) that I get by redeeming points from my Discover rewards points. Borders has books, movies, and music. Also, the teacher could use the GC for something for him/herself or could buy something for the classroom. There's even a coffee stand in our local Borders.

So far, all of the teachers have really appreciated a GC to borders.

Regarding $$$ amount, we're at a public school in a relatively affluent area. I think $20-$25 is a good amount for one teacher. In addition to the gift card for the teacher, I've also sent in about $50 of hard-bound children's books for the school library with a letter of appreciation addressed to the principal at Christmastime.

 

[surfergirl602]

DD's teacher is really awesome and has gone out of her way to communicate with me and DD adores her. I am thinking $100-$150. Is that about par?

HOLY cr@p!

Ummm..... 10- 20 should suffice for middle class! Rmember that there is an ethics code that most teachers have to follow.

 

[marcyinPA]

Okay, I'm jumping in here to ask another teacher gift question. I've always given gift cards, and have never been guilty of giving mugs, candles, ornaments, body lotion, or anything with an apple on it. My oldest just started JH, and I just can't afford to give all 7 of her teachers gift card (I will continue to give them to the elementary school teachers, since my children only have 1 each).

My dd7 had to sell nuts/candy for Brownies, and I really don't like hitting up friends, family, and neighbors - everyone has kids, and everyone has fundraisers to deal with. I ended up buying 10 holiday containers filled with chocolate covered pretzels (enough for dd to get her badge), and I was planning on giving them to the middle school teachers. I figure they can eat them, serve them to others, or re-gift.

Am I totally lame?

Not lame at all. I have a middle schooler, and I don't give his teachers anything, so I think your idea is very generous!!

I teach pre-school, and received a can of the Girl Scout chocolate covered raisins last year for Christmas, and they were yummy!!

 

[marcyinPA]

May I ask, how much do you normally spend on a teacher? This is DD's first year in real school (1st grade) and I plan on getting her teacher a gift card but I don't know how much I should spend. I don't want to come across cheap but I don't want to seem snooty either by giving an outlandish amount. I live in a middle-class to upper middle class area.

DD's teacher is really awesome and has gone out of her way to communicate with me and DD adores her. I am thinking $100-$150. Is that about par?

I teach pre-school, 2 year olds, and I'd faint if I got a gift card for that much! Believe me, we work hard, especially in the beginning of the year when we have 12 crying angels and 2 teachers, but I'd never expect that much of a gift card!

$10-$20 is about par here....

 

[nwolak]

I agree that gift cards are nice. Maybe to a department store, like Kohl's is also very nice. I have been teaching for 8 years and I appreciate it very much when a family gives a generous gift of $20-50. I too have tons of candles! We don't expect anything, so it's the thought that counts.

 

[holden]

As a high school teacher, I loved just getting a card from a student with a little note of thanks. I think the gift-giving thing is more popular with the elementary students.

 

[nessz79]

Gift cards- restaurants, etc are great. I LOVE Starbucks gift cards because Starbucks is a luxury that I wouldn't normally spend on myself.

 

[toystorymom]

May I ask, how much do you normally spend on a teacher? This is DD's first year in real school (1st grade) and I plan on getting her teacher a gift card but I don't know how much I should spend. I don't want to come across cheap but I don't want to seem snooty either by giving an outlandish amount. I live in a middle-class to upper middle class area.

DD's teacher is really awesome and has gone out of her way to communicate with me and DD adores her. I am thinking $100-$150. Is that about par?

WOW! Sorry, but I think that is way over the top. Around here, $10 gift cards are common, $20 would be very generous. Many people have more than one child, and almost every kid these days has more then 1 teacher. Just adds up way too quickly - especially in these financially tough times.

 

[MNdisneymom]

.....I knit, so last year I made my sons pre K teachers hats. (cheap craft store yarn, so only about $2 a piece, plus my time...). The best part is, my son likes to help me knit (he will help wind yarn, or occasionally try to knit himself, which usually consists of looping the yarn around the needle for me LOL) so I can honestly say that he helped.

This year in K he only has one teacher, so she is getting a scarf and a hat, in a lovely cable pattern.

I hope these kind of gifts are appropriate--I hope his teacher wouldn't be expecting a gift card of some sort ?!?!....

 

[ChrisandDon'sMommy]

Gift cards are very appreciated by me!!

 

[robandkelly13]

I don't expect anything from my students. But ifthey do give me a gift it really doesn't matter what it is it's nice to be thought of. I teach high school, so I feel like any gift I get is because not only parents appreciate me but also because the student does.