Plan ahead for Christmas teacher gifts when buying school supplies...

[daisyduck123]

Okay, I'm going to play devil's advocate here (flame suit on). While I'd appreciate supplies for my classroom, I'd say to give them at the beginning of the year or when supplies run low because you want to help, but save gift-giving time for something different like a gift card so the teacher can go out to dinner or to a movie or have a few coffees at Starbucks.

Giving someone paper for Christmas is like giving a dishtowel to a maid. It's all work related, but the teacher is a person outside of the classroom, too. Teachers need to be appreciated at a more personal level when one gives a gift. I do agree that there's a lot teachers receive that they don't need (like coffee mugs), but I don't think any teacher would snub their nose at getting a gift card to see a movie or a gift card for a couple of smoothies or a cup of hot java. I'd feel more appreciated with something like that vs a ream of paper and some pencils.

No flames here. ITA

I was thinking it, but you stated this better than I could have.

 

[allison443]

Okay, I'm going to play devil's advocate here (flame suit on). While I'd appreciate supplies for my classroom, I'd say to give them at the beginning of the year or when supplies run low because you want to help, but save gift-giving time for something different like a gift card so the teacher can go out to dinner or to a movie or have a few coffees at Starbucks.

Giving someone paper for Christmas is like giving a dishtowel to a maid. It's all work related, but the teacher is a person outside of the classroom, too. Teachers need to be appreciated at a more personal level when one gives a gift. I do agree that there's a lot teachers receive that they don't need (like coffee mugs), but I don't think any teacher would snub their nose at getting a gift card to see a movie or a gift card for a couple of smoothies or a cup of hot java. I'd feel more appreciated with something like that vs a ream of paper and some pencils.

I am not a teacher, but I kind of agree with this post. I always gave the teachers a giftcard (to a place I know they use) although once, my dd's class had an electric pencil sharpener that broke, so I bought one, wrapped it up and sent that in also, along with the teacher's gift.
I do think sending in extra supplies is a good thing, and I'm sure the teachers appreciate it. I have done that often myself. I just wouldn't do that as the teacher's gift. JMO

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I am not a teacher, but I kind of agree with this post. I always gave the teachers a giftcard (to a place I know they use) although once, my dd's class had an electric pencil sharpener that broke, so I bought one, wrapped it up and sent that in also, along with the teacher's gift.
I do think sending in extra supplies is a good thing, and I'm sure the teachers appreciate it. I have done that often myself. I just wouldn't do that as the teacher's gift. JMO

Agreed. Coming from a family of teachers, I know how hard they work and how much of their own money they spend on supplies. So, it's definitely a great idea to stock up now while they are on sale. When they start running low on something, I will have my stash of cheap supplies to send in, but I prefer to send something else as a gift (the Vera Bradly tote filled with supplies is a great compromise!!!).

 

[dizkids]

I am not a teacher. I agree with giving personal gift cards to teachers.

However i think with tough times if parents can buy clearance items that teachers will use and save them money than that is a terrific idea. We are on the budget board here.

 

[torinsmom]

Who says you can't do both? Maybe send in a bag of supplies with a $5-$10 gift card attached and a "Something for you and something for the class" note.

 

[v.t.]

Who says you can't do both? Maybe send in a bag of supplies with a $5-$10 gift card attached and a "Something for you and something for the class" note.

 

[peter.scott279]

This is a great idea. I usually put together cookie gift baskets for teacher gifts, but I'll have to consider this.

 

[scrapquitler]

If you buy extras of the super cheap supplies this time of year you can put them in a nice gift basket for the teacher at Christmas...It's likely she needs them more than a nice coffee mug with an apple that says #1 teacher.

Excellent plan! BTW, I kept Christmas shopping in mind at back to school time when all my nephews and cousins were much younger....I bought tons of paper, glue, scissors, markers, crayons, etc. with 'art projects' in mind. Then when Christmas came I bought them each a small clear rubbermaid bin, used scrapbooking papers to make a laminated sign "Kevin's Art Bin" for on the likd (different name for each child obviously) and gave them all art bins for Christmas....they loved them! (and so did Mom's and Dads)