Teacher Gifts...... Am I the only one

[badblackpug]

who doesn't do this?

Maybe it is a regional thing, or maybe I am blissfully ignorant, but this isn't something I do, or something that is routinely done in my kids' school. I see so many posts this time of year asking about gifts for teachers, I can't imagine buying gifts for all my kids teachers. The kids give them holiday cards, but we have never bought gifts for them.

 

[Buckalew11]

I'm 45 and I always gave my teachers small gifts. I remember giving my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. McQuiod, a pretty necklace. That was in NJ and now I live in TN and my dd always gave her teachers something.

 

[lisateaches]

I always gave my teachers something. Usually it was a container of cookies made by my mom. As a teacher, I do get a few gifts. I teach in an urban area, so a lot of families can't afford a gift for the teacher. At my daughter's school the teachers make out like bandits. Upwards of $200 in gift cards

 

[kirstenb1]

Around here, some do gifts some don't. If the room mom collects for a group gift, we chip in. If not then we do our own. Just a small way to say "thanks".

 

[disykat]

I'm a teacher and I don't do it, nor do I expect it. I always try to show support to the teachers, but do it in different ways.

 

[CrazyChristie416]

We have 15 teachers and therapists (both in home an at school) to buy for this year between my kids. I'm going to go broke. To keep it cheap I was thinking of taking advantage of the 2 for $14 mug deal at the Disney store. Who knows.

Last year I had lunch catered for the holidays for 60 people and it ended up working out to be a lot less than individual gift giving for every teacher and therapist that worked with my kids. My kids are in two different schools this year, so I may end up gift giving.

 

[christineann]

I'm a former teacher, and I can honestly say that I didn't expect gifts, nor did it matter if I didn't get one from this or that child. The best gift I ever got was a donation to our school's annual fund in my honor. Since then, I make a donation to our local animal shelter in honor of the faculty and all staff at our school and send a Christmas card to the office. My kids and I have gotten very positive feedback from the teachers.

My youngest graduated high school in 2007, and we still make that annual contribution.

 

[Darcy03231]

My children are 26, 22, 19 & 17 and I can honestly say I have never bought a teacher gift. I have donated classroom supplies throughout the year (along with lots of tissues) but never felt the need to give a gift at either Christmas or the end of the year.

 

[Minnesota!]

It's the norm around here...but I didn't know that until my kids started school. I never gave my teachers gifts...that I recall at least!

 

[IDoDis]

My kids always gave teacher gifts in elementary school. Now that they are in mid & high school, they can each choose one teacher to give a gift to as a special thank you.

DH and I are both teachers. DH teaches 4th grade and I teach special ed grades 1-5. Since the kids come to me in a pull-out situation, I don't get many gifts. But when I do, they are very much appreciated. I understand that it's hard for parents to buy gifts if their child has several teachers. DH usually gets several gift cards to restaurants, so I get to benefit from those. He also gives me the knick-knack gifts that he doesn't care to keep.

It does feel good to be remembered though. I spend a lot of my own money on my students for various projects. I also have a treasure box they get to choose things from for good behavior and students each get to pick a brand new book from my book box when they fill an entire sticker chart (usually averages to 1 free book per student 3 to 4 times a year). I also give the students small gift bags at Christmas.

So when I'm remembered by a family for my hard work, it's much appreciated.

 

["Got Disney"]

We have always given a $25 gift certificate from the Outback and gt a free bloomin onion certificate from the owner to hand along with them. We have been getting them for so long that he says he knows he will see me come christmas time for the teachers.

This year we are blessed however to only have 7 teachers....at one point we had 10 and also the Deans and councilor who I assisted.

They always have appreciated it and its important to remember them....does not have to be that though....even a card with a $10 starbucks certificate is nice or some homemade cookies....or even there favorite candy bars....

We make homemade Christmas cards every year so the kids make them for there teachers....they are great artists so they come out special...we use paint, felt glitter, Christmas stamps(not like postal stamps) and lots of other things on them...by the way by boys are 17 and 14....they do there card great!

just some ideas to throw at ya....

 

[Help Please!]

I'm a music teacher, and I got the best gift today...a giant plastic blue M&M guy playing the saxophone! It's one of those where you pull the arm down and candy comes out.

When I opened it up it was dusty and a little dirty...like maybe it was sitting around the kid's house or they had picked it up at Goodwill or a garage sale...no worries, a Clorox wipe and all is well! What a thoughtful gift from one of my 4th graders...one of the best presents ever!

As for gifts from kids, as an "Activity" (PE, art, music) teacher, I generally get gifts from students who are involved in special music groups...Strings, Recorder, Chorus, etc. As a parent (though I'm not one yet!), I will most definitely get a small gift for my child's future teacher...because I know how much teachers spend on their students! LOL!

 

[daisyduck123]

We have 15 teachers and therapists (both in home an at school) to buy for this year between my kids. I'm going to go broke. To keep it cheap I was thinking of taking advantage of the 2 for $14 mug deal at the Disney store. Who knows.

Here's a cheaper suggestion:

Rather than buying the "2 for $14.00 mugs", give each teacher a $5.00 gift card to someplace (Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, etc.). It will be much more appreciated.

(This is coming from a 1st grade teacher who has received over 50 mugs during the course of her career. They all end up in my annual yard sale.)

 

[luvmyfam444]

I only give the teacher the gift in elem school & yes its expected here - either you go on your own or you go in with the gift certificate the whole class gives. Last year we bought the teacher 3 gc for her 3 fav restaurants. the room mom gets a list of wants @ the beg of the year & that's where the items come from -

This year I'm gonna make her a wreath. BUT I've also not bought a gift if I didn't like the teacher. and one teacher asked for the kids to send in $5 & she'd buy the chicken or cow with the money that was donated.

 

[Belle0101]

When my oldest was in elementary school it was the norm to give gifts to the teacher(s), office worker(s) (DS school had 2) and the bus driver(s) (DS had a different driver for the AM and the PM).

The PTA organized a Teacher Christmas meal that you were requested to donate a dish to also. The meal was for the teachers only. It was also requested that you donate cash, in your child's teacher's name, that a PTA person would combine together for a large gift card for your child's teacher.

 

[Belle0101]

I only give the teacher the gift in elem school & yes its expected here - either you go on your own or you go in with the gift certificate the whole class gives. Last year we bought the teacher 3 gc for her 3 fav restaurants. the room mom gets a list of wants @ the beg of the year & that's where the items come from -

This year I'm gonna make her a wreath. BUT I've also not bought a gift if I didn't like the teacher. and one teacher asked for the kids to send in $5 & she'd buy the chicken or cow with the money that was donated.

I might be confused so feel free to correct me - the teacher had asked for cash, specifically $5, and was going to use it buy meat? For herself?

If I'm understanding that right, WOW!

 

[xanphylus]

My DD goes to a school where room mother's are virtually unheard of, much less presents for the teachers- so, needless to say when I offered to be room mom- her teacher was floored! I am sure she will be highly appreciative of any gift she gets this year. So far, we got her little awards certificates to give to the class, some stickers and a few other classroom items. We also got her a little something just for her,a room scent of some sort. Nothing major, but it's the thought that counts. Also, I will be there with cupcakes and goody bags for the class.

 

[pearlieq]

I might be confused so feel free to correct me - the teacher had asked for cash, specifically $5, and was going to use it buy meat? For herself?

If I'm understanding that right, WOW!

I'm assuming it was for the Heifer Project, which is a charity that buys farm animals for impoverished people.

But still, asking, or even suggesting the donation doesn't seem right to me.

 

[badblackpug]

I always gave my teachers something. Usually it was a container of cookies made by my mom. As a teacher, I do get a few gifts. I teach in an urban area, so a lot of families can't afford a gift for the teacher. At my daughter's school the teachers make out like bandits. Upwards of $200 in gift cards

We never gave the teachers gifts growing up. We made or gave them a holiday card, but I never, once, remember buying gifts.

Here's a cheaper suggestion:

Rather than buying the "2 for $14.00 mugs", give each teacher a $5.00 gift card to someplace (Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks, etc.). It will be much more appreciated.

(This is coming from a 1st grade teacher who has received over 50 mugs during the course of her career. They all end up in my annual yard sale.)

...and here is a problem. Not everyone can afford expensive gifts (or any gifts for that matter) The PP was trying to do the gifting thing without looking cheap. You may certainly only spend $5 on someone, but you don't want that person to know you only spent $5 (which they certainly would with a gift card) but the type of gift you can afford seems to be unappreciated. How many posts from teacher have we seen that say "no mugs, candles, soap, lotion, etc?" I also thinks this puts the students whose parents absolutely can't afford it in a very embarrassing position.

I only give the teacher the gift in elem school & yes its expected here - either you go on your own or you go in with the gift certificate the whole class gives. Last year we bought the teacher 3 gc for her 3 fav restaurants. the room mom gets a list of wants @ the beg of the year & that's where the items come from -

This year I'm gonna make her a wreath. BUT I've also not bought a gift if I didn't like the teacher. and one teacher asked for the kids to send in $5 & she'd buy the chicken or cow with the money that was donated.

Your school keeps chickens and cows? My kids classroom pets have always been hamsters!

My DD goes to a school where room mother's are virtually unheard of, much less presents for the teachers- so, needless to say when I offered to be room mom- her teacher was floored! I am sure she will be highly appreciative of any gift she gets this year. So far, we got her little awards certificates to give to the class, some stickers and a few other classroom items. We also got her a little something just for her,a room scent of some sort. Nothing major, but it's the thought that counts. Also, I will be there with cupcakes and goody bags for the class.

Our schools are "fighting childhood obesity." Cupcakes and goody bags are not allowed.

 

[Belle0101]

I'm assuming it was for the Heifer Project, which is a charity that buys farm animals for impoverished people.

But still, asking, or even suggesting the donation doesn't seem right to me.

Ok, that makes more sense. I've never heard of the Heifer Project. That sounds like a very worthwhile charity.

I'd imagine that if the request were worded along the lines of, "In lieu of gifts ...." or something like that it would come across much nicer.