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

[megan4777]

I have a dd with Asperger's. I didn't do anything for any of the teachers last year b/c we felt they didn't do anything for her. This year, however, I anticipate on buying gifts for her Special Ed teacher, Regular Ed teacher, Social worker, Aide, Speech teacher, and possibly her OT consultant.

My middle dd, in a regular class,will send a gift for just her teacher.

I will probably also send a gift for the bus driver since DD's are both on their own bus/ per DD #1's IEP time allotment.

 

[mamamary]

I bought gifts for the teachers thru elem. school. Since my son started middle school I left it up to him and he didn't want to bring any in. My daughter started middle school this year and she doesn't think she wants to bring any in either. So maybe it's more for elem school?????

 

[aprilgail2]

I bought gifts for the teachers thru elem. school. Since my son started middle school I left it up to him and he didn't want to bring any in. My daughter started middle school this year and she doesn't think she wants to bring any in either. So maybe it's more for elem school?????

I was hoping it was only grade school but mydaughter is in middle school this year and has just asked me to get gifts for her teachers- SEVEN of them! I thought I was going to get offeasy with no more teacher gift but nope.....now it just multiplied by seven LOL.....but I work for a chocolate company so that is what they will be getting this year- my daughter knows if each one prefers milk or dark so each will get what they prefer and it won't cost me an arm and a leg!

 

[Carly_Roach]

I'm another one who grew up with nobody putting any priority on special teacher gifts over Christmas. It must be a regional thing. I vaguely remember end of year gifts, though.

What I hear from my teacher friends here in Michigan is that the best gift they could get are gift cards to Staples or some other office supply store. So many of them pay for school supplies out of their own pockets.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

6th grade teacher here...
At my school it is more common in K-2 (where they only have one teacher). I do get small things, but to be honest with you, my favorite presents are the cards with pictures of the student. I also prefer to get something for the classroom (pencils, expo markers, books) than a gift for myself.

 

[SereneOne]

I can recall my mom buying gifts for my teachers, I have bought for my four oldest kids (now in their early twenties) teachers and lastly my seven year old. This year I purchased for her teacher Starbucks coffee, cocoa and biscotti along with a mug in her fave school colors (it is Christmasy, red with gold, birds sitting on a branch, but she is a Gamecock fan and their colors are black and red) and will get peanut m&ms to add to it. I asked her in Oct what she liked and she said Starbucks, m&ms, Gamecocks and Fanta orange soda, lol. For the school nurse (my daughter is tube fed, so she goes every day after lunch to be fed) I purchased a candle with one of those glass looking tops (caramel praline, it smells so GOOD!) and Kitkat bars. Again, I asked her what she would like and that was it.

I always try to give something, most teachers definitely deserve it and so much more.

 

[taximomfor4]

OP, we don't give teacher gifts either. The kids are free to make them a card, but we don't buy gifts for many friends/family members, either. We do more Holiday Tradition type stuff, less buying/giving.

It's just how we prefer to have our holidays. Oh, and the kids' principal and teachers adore my kids. They may be the only ones NOT giving a gift, but it doesn't affect their work ethic or the respect they show their teachers all year long.

Which brings me to another thought: Only my oldest dd (17 now) ever asked about giving teacher a present, since everyone else does. I discuss peer pressure with the kids often, and told her that I refuse to give in to peer pressure. That paying attention to her teacher, us going to conferences, and being cooperative in the classroom would be the best thing she could do for her teacher. And that she could make a card.

ETA" DH is a teacher. He'd rather have parents and kids place importance on education, than placing importance on him.

 

[lovesmurfs]

We give teacher gifts through elementary school (midwest). When I was in school (NJ), my mom would send plates of cookies or a loaf of date nut bread. In the late spring, she'd send in flowers that were blooming in the yard (roses).

For Christmas, I get the teacher a gift certificate for a local teacher supply store. I know it's not personal, but I'd like to think they're appreciated.

DS had the same teacher two years in a row (and he absolutely loved her), in first and second grade. She loved wacky holiday sweaters (all holidays), so we even gave her an end of the year gift of a cotton flag sweater that I'd found on sale.

 

[MsLeFever]

My parents are retired teachers and always had gifts. I remember my mother bringing home one dusty green horse bookend (she figured another teacher got the other one) and some half used perfume (that she feared the kid had taken from their mom without permission.) She taught poor kids and was always touched by their gifts.

However, she always told them that if they wanted to give her a present she'd like scotch tape or pencils or construction paper or other school stuff. (this predates gift cards). She almost never got that stuff though.

So - I always try to gift things that could be used in the classroom. Of course right now I'm working parttime at Bath and Body works so everyone is getting snowman hand soap! I guess that they can keep in in their classrooms or use at home or heck - regift it! In any case it can be used up and thrown away.

As a college prof I almost never get presents but I love it when a student sends a card!

 

[daughtersrus]

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.

.

I completely understand! My DD is in a self-contained class. She has 1 classroom teacher,1 music teacher/therapist, 1 adapted PE teacher, 2 OT's, 1PT, 2 ST, 1 Hearing Intinerant teacher, 1 Vision Intinerant teacher, 7 classroom para pros, 1 bus driver and 2 aids on the bus. We no longer are able to get therapy outside of school so that cuts out 3.

The only way that I can afford to buy for 20 is to get things after Christmas. This year they are all getting a reed diffuser that I got at Carson's last year 75% off + I had a coupon. I also make a large batch of homemade candy (fudge, choc. covered pretzels, nuts, craisins, toffee, pink ice...for the classroom and another for the therapy office. I give small tins to the bus staff.

My DD is a SpEd resource teacher. She is not expecting anything (especially since she teaches at a middle school) but is grateful for anything. Her best gifts have been notes written by the students.

 

[disneyquestions]

I have one kid in private, one in public (pre-k isn't offered in the public school here). I give to the private school teachers because really, its expected, but I hadn't planned on giving to the public school teacher. I don't think we got one this year, but in years past, they sent home letters asking for parents NOT to give anything because it makes the kids who don't give anything (can't afford to give anything) feel bad.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Some people do, some people don't. I think around here it's less than 50% of students that do it.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

This is only my second year, but I don't believe many people do this at my school. I didn't get anything last year, nor did I expect to. I do give the kids books for Christmas, this year at least one kid is getting a winter coat since he still does not have one. Our school is low income and most of our families are getting some kind of assistance for Christmas, so I don't expect them to purchase for somebody else when they have a hard tiem affording for their own family.

 

[xanphylus]

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

In my DD's class, they are not overly worried about obesity- they are more worried that some of the kids are eating anything. Over 50% of her school is on reduced or free lunch and breakfast. Some of the kids only eat at school- and besides that, no one in her class is over weight really. (Not to say that there are not some overweight kids in her school- there certainly are... just not in her class). I am there pretty often and have seen the kids. One cupcake is not going to kill these poor kids. And either way, I never said the goody bags had anything to eat in them. It is more of a present- each has a pencil, an eraser, a silly straw, a sticker or two and a tattoo. I may throw in some silly bands from walmart too- the kids in her class love them!

 

[Kies99]

Our teachers just got forced back to work this past Monday after striking for 45 days. We now get no time off for holidays or spring break.

Definitely will NOT be getting any gifts from us!

 

[Jeafl]

I get gifts from about 85% of my class. I have gotten everything from a Twix bar to a $100 gift card to handmade sterling jewelry. I treat all my students the same, whether they give me nothing, or a nice gift. They also buy me gifts during Teacher Appreciation week and at the end of the year. I feel very blessed, and everything is very much appreciated, especially the handmade cards.

 

[mjkacmom]

In my DD's class, they are not overly worried about obesity- they are more worried that some of the kids are eating anything. Over 50% of her school is on reduced or free lunch and breakfast. Some of the kids only eat at school- and besides that, no one in her class is over weight really. (Not to say that there are not some overweight kids in her school- there certainly are... just not in her class). I am there pretty often and have seen the kids. One cupcake is not going to kill these poor kids. And either way, I never said the goody bags had anything to eat in them. It is more of a present- each has a pencil, an eraser, a silly straw, a sticker or two and a tattoo. I may throw in some silly bands from walmart too- the kids in her class love them!

Actually, the poor are much more likely to be obese. In our local news, the wealthiest neighborhoods of NYC are the thinest. Healthy food is more expensive than junk food. That said, as a class mom, I collect $5 from each family (standard for every class), and most give individual gifts as well. The other class mom and I will buy treats, beverages, and a treat for each child (usually something from 5 Below). All of our classes have class moms (it's the only parent volunteering allowed).

 

[Liberty Belle]

I don't know if it's a regional thing, but growing up in Michigan we always did it and now here in Kentucky I'd say 3/4 of the kids give the teachers a gift. I'm a para educator (though unemployed this semester) and about a quarter of the kids give us one.

 

[xanphylus]

Actually, the poor are much more likely to be obese. In our local news, the wealthiest neighborhoods of NYC are the thinest. Healthy food is more expensive than junk food. That said, as a class mom, I collect $5 from each family (standard for every class), and most give individual gifts as well. The other class mom and I will buy treats, beverages, and a treat for each child (usually something from 5 Below). All of our classes have class moms (it's the only parent volunteering allowed).

Like I said- I know there are plenty of obese kids, and most come from poorer areas, but no one in my DD's class is obese- So I'm not worrying about it. Also, we are not allowed to ask for money donations from the class- most kids don't have it. I am the only class room mom, and I have never seen any other parent come to volunteer in my child's class..... My DD's teacher has NEVER had a class mom. That's why she was so excited when I volunteered. Either way their party is Thursday for some reason this year. Quite a few skip out on the last few days anyway- due to religious reasons and parents not wanting them to participate in any class parties or whatnot related to Christmas.

 

[hambirg]

My Dad was a HS teacher and my mom was a sped ed para-pro. I really don't remember them getting gifts when I was growing up. . .but my Dad's best gifts were wedding invitations, thank yous from boys that joined the military (Dad was in the Navy and was encouraged by them to help some of the guys choose the Navy. . if he thought it was their best option), and just plain old thank yous from past students. My Mom rarely received gifts. . once in awhile home baked goodies. As far as my teachers growing up. . . I remember my parents inviting them to dinner at our house. . .I don't think that happens anymore and that's unfortunate.

When I was teaching. . .inner city, poor school. . .I got knick knacks, chocolates and book store gift cards. . .it was always more than I expected, but only from about 10% of my class. I would have felt guilty with anything more. However, my kids went to private school in the beginning. .. and the pressure was heavy. . .I never felt really comfortable with it. . .knowing that most of the public school teachers I had run across were miles better than these teachers and didn't expect a darn thing. My DD8's 1st grade teacher was a first year teacher and I kinda felt for her. . .so at Christmas I gave her a $50 Old Navy GC. .so she could build her wardrobe. . .than at the end of the year I told her I would buy her a flip chart because she didn't have one. Well damn if you didn't call it. . .$120 for that dang flip chart and she didn't stay at that school and took it with her. Grrrrrrr!