SCHOOL CHRISTMAS GIFTS

[SandyinMonterey]

My daughter is at a new school this year (and in a new state). She is in fifth grade and has two teachers. Home Room (science, math, & social studies) and afternoon teacher (language arts/reading). I've already received a list of home room teacher "likes" from lead room parent. On the list: Cheesecake Factory, Starbucks, movie theater, Old Navy, Macy's). I'm assuming I don't get a list from her afternoon teacher because it's not her homeroom teacher but I think I'd still get her something, right? Wondering how much is usually spent towards these gifts? Also, for a school bus driver and some ideas for her.
P.S. At my daughter's old school each parent would just give "x" amount at beginning of school year which went to all gifts for teacher during the school year (B-day and Christmas) then is was one of the room parents who was assigned the task to pick out the gifts so I never had to individually buy for teachers before.

Thanks everyone!

 

[kymom99]

That's the way it was at my sons school too. We just sent in money to cover those gifts. I would ask about the second teachers list and get something for him/her too. Probably about $20-25 each.

At my sons school they also collected, I think it was$10 from each child, to buy gifts for special area, secretary, etc.

As for the bus driver, I would get a gift card to Cracker Barrel or Bob Evans, etc. the drivers often have a break in between runs, do someplace that serves breakfast and lunch would be nice.

 

[Alexle2007]

My son is in 5th grade also. We don't do group gifts. I actually just sent a note to all of the 5th grade teachers (4 of them) and his gifted and talented teacher saying I was treating them to a Panera lunch on Wed as their gift. I have been doing this since all of the elementary school and the teachers greatly appreciate it. Last year, one of the 4th grade teachers was so surprised and humbled that I would do that. She retired at the end of the year and said it was the only time in her 40 year teaching career that a parent had treated her to lunch. I also get his 2 main teachers gift cards but the lunch is the biggest hit.

 

[AZMermaid]

Totally agree about lunch! I teach first grade and it is seriously the best treat. I brought lunch for my kindergarteners teachers in Oct when I was on break.

My kids are pre-k and kinder and each have two teachers. I plan to get them resturant gift cards at Costco, the 2 $50 cards for $80 deals. I'm not sure about the specials teachers and bus drivers (kinder) and assistants (Pre-k). This will be easier next year when they are at the same school! Prob $5-10 gift cards to somewhere. I try not to get coffee since I don't drink it much and I get a ton of Starbucks cards myself. But now that I figured out I can use them at the Starbucks in the parks... I won't regift them so much!

 

[Disney_traveler]

Truth be told, as a teacher, I don't mind some of the cheaper options you see on Pinterest like a fuzzy blanket with cozy socks that says "just settle down for a long winters nap" or "for your mistle-toes" foot lotion, nail polish and cozy socks.

 

[Figaroo]

I am a teacher in a well performing district. Just to give you an idea, gifts can typically range from nothing at all to $40 from a student (and family)... usually it's between $10-30. That being said, any expression of gratitude is always appreciated even if it's just a heartfelt note.

I am also a parent, and I give a card and contribute to the class gift (or give a gift) to all of the teachers that spend a considerable amount of time with my child. For me, that's homeroom teacher and gifted teacher.

Hope this helps!!

 

[scrapquitler]

My daughter is at a new school this year (and in a new state). She is in fifth grade and has two teachers. Home Room (science, math, & social studies) and afternoon teacher (language arts/reading). I've already received a list of home room teacher "likes" from lead room parent. On the list: Cheesecake Factory, Starbucks, movie theater, Old Navy, Macy's). I'm assuming I don't get a list from her afternoon teacher because it's not her homeroom teacher but I think I'd still get her something, right? Wondering how much is usually spent towards these gifts? Also, for a school bus driver and some ideas for her.
P.S. At my daughter's old school each parent would just give "x" amount at beginning of school year which went to all gifts for teacher during the school year (B-day and Christmas) then is was one of the room parents who was assigned the task to pick out the gifts so I never had to individually buy for teachers before.

Thanks everyone!

I guess I'm cheap. We always did a $5 gift card to Dunkin Donuts for the teacher, and the same for the bus driver (and actually, the same for the dance teacher as well).

 

[AZMermaid]

I guess I'm cheap. We always did a $5 gift card to Dunkin Donuts for the teacher, and the same for the bus driver (and actually, the same for the dance teacher as well).

As a teacher... I'd love it. I have no judgement towards any gift, big or mall. The act of being honored with a gift speaks more than the amount. I tend to be overly generous because my school schedule makes it so I can't be at my kids' school, pretty much ever. So, I try to show my appreciation in this way. I actually wish I was there more- just at pick up or drop off or whatever.

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm a high school teacher. We don't generally get gifts, and appreciate those we occasionally do get.

My favorite was one from last year. As I teach Precalculus, I put the graphing calculator on the projector so the kids can see what keys I'm pushing. The projector is a bit high, and I'm a bit on the short side, so I could never see what was on the calculator screen-- it became a running joke in one of my classes.

One of the kids in that class got me a step stool!! Talk about the perfect gift!!

My go-to teacher gift is a fleece throw. I got one yesterday at Kohls for under $10-- soft and cozy, and who doesn't like a cozy blanket on a cold winter's night?

 

[LovesTimone]

We DD's were little, they wanted to give a present so normally a coffee cup, or something for the desk that could hold some candy and then I would slip in a GC for them. Once around 5th or 6th grade giving a card with GC enclosed was the cool thing to do. Also another gift for the classroom was when they returned from break was to help restock some school supplies for the teacher, paper, crayons, colored pencils, Kleenex, Clorox wipes, even a couple of extra pencil boxes, back packs, lunch boxes.... you could ask her what the supply closet might need for when they return, teacher spend a lot of their money in class rooms. One year I picked up some backpacks like 5 bucks at target and some lunch boxes for 3 dollars, pencil boxes for a dollar, My thought was to donate them the following year for cram the van...then I thought I would ask the teacher if she could use them, she was so happy she said she had a couple of kids that really could use them... So I met her one day on Christmas break away from school and gave them to her, no need for the other students or even my DD's to know where they came from.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

As a teacher myself, I get everything from nothing to $50 gift cards for Christmas and end of year gifts.

My fourth grader has two teachers this year. They are each getting a throw with coffee cups on it (great Black Friday deal from Kohls) and a small gift card to Starbucks.

Ds(7) is in second grade and his teacher will get a $30 gift card to Target and an ornament to go with it.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We DD's were little, they wanted to give a present so normally a coffee cup, or something for the desk that could hold some candy and then I would slip in a GC for them. Once around 5th or 6th grade giving a card with GC enclosed was the cool thing to do. Also another gift for the classroom was when they returned from break was to help restock some school supplies for the teacher, paper, crayons, colored pencils, Kleenex, Clorox wipes, even a couple of extra pencil boxes, back packs, lunch boxes.... you could ask her what the supply closet might need for when they return, teacher spend a lot of their money in class rooms. One year I picked up some backpacks like 5 bucks at target and some lunch boxes for 3 dollars, pencil boxes for a dollar, My thought was to donate them the following year for cram the van...then I thought I would ask the teacher if she could use them, she was so happy she said she had a couple of kids that really could use them... So I met her one day on Christmas break away from school and gave them to her, no need for the other students or even my DD's to know where they came from.

Things for the room is a great idea. I am a teacher in a fairly poor school and our district has very strict rules about what school supplies we are allowed to ask for, so for me a big Sam's Club pack of tissues would be like winning the lottery.

 

[Shughart]

I usually send the kids with cards for both their teachers with a note from me and a picture drawn by them, along with a gift card to Starbucks or Panera for them to enjoy on break, or whenever they want.