Question about Christmas gift for teacher

[connorlevismom]

My son is in Kindergarten this year and in the past, we have always bought gifts for his daycare teachers. He always had two teachers, a lead teacher and an assistant teacher. For the lead we always gave a $100 gift card to somewhere and for the assistant, $50.00 gift card. This year in Kindergarten it is much the same. He has a teacher and then a para. We were planning on doing the same amount for the gift cards for the teachers but I am kind of rethinking that. I don't want the teacher to think that we are trying to "buy" anything, if you know what I mean. We just honestly have always given those amounts because I see his teachers as very important people in my sons life. But I don't want to teacher to think that we want something in return. I am not sure what is an appropriate gift for a school teacher. Can anyone give me some pointers? This is our first child to go to school.

Thanks!

Kristine

 

[Minnesota!]

Dang! Can I be your kids teacher?? We usually do a bag of really good chocolates and a $20 gift card to Target.

 

[connorlevismom]

Dang! Can I be your kids teacher?? We usually do a bag of really good chocolates and a $20 gift card to Target.

Well that is why I am asking...I don't want the teacher to get the wrong idea.

Kristine

 

[RN01]

Just my opinion but $100 is too much. I even think $50 is too much. Can you imagine? If everyone did that the teacher could retire!

 

[brergnat]

My sister is a first grade teacher. She gets ALL sorts of presents, and she says, honestly the ones she appreciates the most are giftcards to places that she has to buy TEACHING SUPPLIES at. Lakeshore. Oriental Trading Company. Staples.

She usually has at least ONE parent who gives her $100, either cash or a gc. She is usually blown away by that amount. It's definitely not commonplace.

Our son is in K this year too, in a special ed class with THREE teachers. So, we'll have to be modest with the gift giving this year. I also have a preschooler in special ed. with three teachers as well, so that's SIX to buy for!!!

I actually usually do some baking (my own recipes) and package them nicely in a reusable tin or container of some sort (baskets, etc.). This goes a long way...teachers LOVE homemade gifts! And, the containers are useful in the classroom afterwards.

 

[micheleq]

I am a room mom for my DDs preschool and we are doing $100 for each teacher and $75 for the assistant from the entire class (18 kids total). I'll also give each teacher a container of cookies or my white chocolate chex mix from just my DD.

Consider asking the room mom if she is taking a collection from your class that you can donate to. And then you can give the teacher a much smaller gift card to Starbucks, for a mani/pedi, box of Godivas or something like that. I am also a former teacher and I would have been uncomfortable if an individual gave me a large gift.

I wouldn't go over $25 if you are giving an individual gift card. The only time I got large gifts from students was when I was getting married, but those were parents that knew me very well and some of those students & parents came to my wedding ceremony.

In any case, it's the thought that counts and I'm sure your child's teachers will be appreciative of any gift.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Teacher here and I can see it both ways!

Teachers spend a huge amount of thier own money and time on thier class and it is so nice to be appreciated. As long as the other parents are not aware of your gift I think it would be ok but if the teacher opens when any other parents are around and might see the card I might rethink it. Parents are the ones I would be worried about not the teacher. Biggest I have gotten is 50.00 resturant card and I trilled!!!!!

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! I've been teaching 1st grade for 20 years.

About 1/2 the time, our Room Moms do a "class giftcard" but for the times when they don't...
$10-$25.00 gift cards from individual families are the norm.


One time....a little girl gave me a Xmas mug. She said, "Look inside". Inside was a $100.00 BILL!!

 

[happymommy]

I think you should do whatever your heart says to. And your wallet.

The hard thing is, as the kids get older, you have more teachers! Now my kids each have about 7 teachers each. It gets to be a bit much, although I'd love to give each so much. They do so much for their students, and really deserve a lot of thanks.

I've done chocolates and candles, other little gifts, gift cards ($50 Target ones when they were younger).

I don't think they will see it as a "bribe". For heaven's sake, it's only kindergarten. It's not like they get grades. It's just a gift. I think they will be grateful for the gift! I would!

 

[Dopey19]

My husband is a school teacher and while every gift is appreciated we do tend to get ALOT of chocolate or candy each year. So much so that we end up giving away boxes to friends and family.

He (we) probably appreciate gift cards the most since they are practical and can be saved to use over the course of time as needed. Typically he does get a class gift and then individual gifts that range anywhere from $5 (Dunkin Donuts gc) to $50. While $100 sounds like alot, keep in mind that you childs teacher would truly appreciate it (I don't think they would think you are greasing the wheels) Teachers spend hundreds of dollars each year out of there own pocket in order to execute lessons, maintain the classroom or bring in snacks for the students. At the holidays you should always do whats in your heart, its the time of year for generosity and if your fortuanate enough to give a large gift, than do so.

 

[inkedupmomma]

I say if you can afford the $100.00 then do it! As pp have stated, teachers put a lot of their own money out throughout the year and it is nice to get some of that back! With that said, I have many friends who are teachers and appreciate the $5.00 gift cards as much as the $100.00 ones!

 

[amyj1024]

If everyone did that the teacher could retire!

Really?? Please think about what you are saying before you post a comment like that. Do you realize how much $$ teachers spend of their own money on the kids in their class? I am always buying little rewards, treats, etc. for my students. While I agree $100 is not the norm, however, I have on several occassions got both $100 and $50 for parents whom I have worked very closely with their kids for 2 years...I think it is a little rude to say that I could retire on that....I easily spend $300-400 a year on supplies that I am not reimbursed for on my classroom and students I teach.

to the OP: $20 or $25 is usually the norm for gift, and I agree with the others giftcards are much more appreciated if you choose to give your child's teacher a christmas gift. As a parent, I have also organized a class gift, rather than a bunch of little ones, and given my child's teach a gift card to the local mall or something. I asked other parents/students to please donate what they felt was appropriate...and then had the kids sign their names to a card for the teacher.

 

[hopeis]

How very kind of you!! All I can say is from the view of an Educational Assistant (or Teacher's Aide or whatever term you use) is that it is nice to be acknowledged that we too do a lot of work assisting students learning. I work with special needs/ designated students & can only remember a few times I was given a card at Christmas or year end, it was nice to be appreciated! Usually it didn't come from the family of the student(s) I was assigned to work with. It certainly is the thought that counts!

 

[shelly3girls]

We usually give $50 to main teacher and $25 to aide. This year DD wants to give the Burt's Bees grab bag with a gift card so I will probably make it $25. I think $100 is very generous and much more than most will give. It doesn't make it wrong if it is what you are comfortable with and can afford. You surely should not feel obligated to give that much.

When DDs were in daycare I always gave a bigger gift ($100 to main teacher). Around here the teachers at daycare get paid around $10/hr even the ones with teaching degrees and they do not have the benefits of public school teachers. Not to say PS teachers couldn't use it but the daycare teachers are doing just important of a job and getting paid far less with some living at the poverty level.

 

[Lstar311]

As a former 3rd grade teacher I have always appreciated the gifts I've gotten. It would have never crossed my mind that the parents were trying to "buy" something. I think you are extremely generous and should give whatever you feel comfortable giving.

 

[Hannathy]

IMO $100 is way excessive. I don't know any teachers that get that much. around here $25-30 is a large gift. If every child gave that it would be close to $3000.00 that is quite the Christmas bonus. I have never spent more than $10-15 on a teacher gift. It is supposed to be a remembrance not a bonus.

And yes to me it would seem like you were trying to be important or put on airs if I heard you gave a teacher $100. In this lousy economy give the teacher who has a job $25 and donate the other $75 to the Salvation army or toys for tots so those who don't have a job can get something for their kids for Christmas.

 

[Hannathy]

I was just thinking, Are teachers even allowed to accept gifts that large from individual children? I know most nurses, aids, therapists, mail carriers etc are not allowed. Wonder why it is allowed for teachers? I may have to call tomorrow and ask the school district. If other service areas have deemed it not allowable I don't see why it would be ok for schools.

 

[daisyduck123]

I was just thinking, Are teachers even allowed to accept gifts that large from individual children? I know most nurses, aids, therapists, mail carriers etc are not allowed. Wonder why it is allowed for teachers? I may have to call tomorrow and ask the school district. If other service areas have deemed it not allowable I don't see why it would be ok for schools.

The day a student gave me $100.00 bill, I checked with my principal. She said it was absolutely allowed.

 

[Hannathy]

Wow that really surprises me, when other professions aren't allowed to take gifts that large.

I still would never give a professional that large of a gift, especially around here where they are very well paid.

 

[connorlevismom]

Well, I think I am going to go ahead with the gifts as planned. It is what we always do and this year should be no different. IMO teachers are an extremely important part of my sons life. They see him all day, 5 days a week. They teach him and help shape him into the great kid he has become. They are kind of part of the family if that makes sense.

For the person who said that they would never give a professional that kind of gift, I probably would never give my mail carrier that kind of gift either. But there is a big difference to me between a mail carrier and your childs school teacher. And I don't base people's gifts based on what kind of salary they make. I base it on their importance to myself and my family. I give plenty to charity so it is not like I am robbing the poor to give to someone that makes more money.

I don't think the other parents would ever find out about the gift unless the teacher told them about it. In that case, I would probably have words with the teacher about that. It is not like I am going to go around the school announcing what I am giving the teachers as gifts. There is a room mother and she has not said a word about a group gift so I am assuming there is not going to be one.

Thanks for everyone's input. I know that teachers spend a lot on their students, I have lots of them in my family so I see the money they shell out for their kids.

Kristine