Teachers... Would you like this gift?

[aubriee]

While this is a worthy cause, I think giving to a charity of your choice as someone else's gift is impolite.

Hi! Teacher here

No, I would not like that as a gift, & I would never give that as a gift.

If you want to donate money to an organization, fine. But don't do it as a gift to someone else. TACKY, IMO. You get the good feeling that you've done a good deed, but at the teacher's expense. Give her a gift card if you don't want to give another candle or mug.

I wouldn't give this as a gift- how is it a gift to the person? You are making a donation which YOU can receive a tax benefit. It may not be in accordance to what the person believes so you may actually be offending them.

I agree with all of the above. You would be making a donation to a charity of your choice that you can get a tax deduction for than calling it a gift for the teacher. I had to snicker a little when I read this post. I agree it would seem tacky and impolite. Get the teacher a real gift.

 

[rk5798]

Ok, I don't think that any of us who didn't think that this was a good gift don't think it is a worthy charity. I believe in giving to charities or any person in need but not for a gift for someone else. If you want to make a donation, then "you" make the donation out of the the goodness of your "own" heart and not for someone else and that is "your" own personal gift to the charity. When I used to teach I also loved homemade gifts but I still truthfully would have felt a little slighted for all that I have done for the children if that was the thanks I got from the parents. I know that not all families share the same wealth but it is the thought that you cared enough about the person who spends the 2nd most of the time with your child next to yourself. You may not see it this way(many parents don't) but your children's teachers have a big part in helping to influence them. I have children of my own and I plan on really getting to know their teachers since they will be with them more of their waking hours than me during the week. I don't know about you, but that is a lot of time that they are with them to help shape their futures. Like I said before, just try to treat your teachers well and be grateful for all that they do.

 

[blizzard]

Also, I do know for a fact that Samaritan's Purse does not with hold aid if a person does not accept (or share) their beliefs -- as a previous poster stated.

I was the poster who posted about SP's motives in giving. Would it surprise you to find out that to receive a shoebox, the recipient must attend a "rally" where "Christian ideals" are presented? Follow up "care" by ministers is also a condition of receiving these boxes. Sounds like a lot of pressure just to receive a few dollar store gifts. There are many non-denominational charities out there, so I'm not sure why you would pick one that donates with strings attached just because they promote literacy.

Here is some more information (all be it slanted the other direction), but there are links here to news stories that have been published regarding SP.
http://www.pursestrings.ca/strings.htm

 

[missEm]

My mom has been a teacher for about 40 years, and although she appreciates the thought behind holiday gifts, honestly, most of them she views as something to clutter up her house, tempt her off her diet, and require her to spend her break time writing thank-you's for. That being said, perhaps a donation to a charity would be a good choice for teachers like my mom. The tricky part, however, is in *which* organization the donation goes to. You have no way of knowing what ideals the teacher holds. Just to play the devil's advocate, how would you feel if someome made a donation in your name to a Wicckin society, or Cross Dressers of America, or whatever? Would you find it presumptious and possibly offensive?
Here's an idea, although it may be too late to implement it for this holiday season: Try going through the PTA and have the teachers fill out a form if they are interested in charitable donations rather than gifts. Then they would be able to write in organizations they support, and you could honor that.
A gift that most any teacher is sure to appreciate AND use would be a basket full of fun classroom stuff: sparkly pens, stickers, stamps, Post-Its...you know all those fun, nice things that s/he uses for her classes, yet the school does not supply! Another idea might be a gift certificate for a massage or pedicure, or tickets to the movie theater if you're looking for something for her to enjoy in a way totally not related to her job!
Emily

 

[rk5798]

missEm, I just wanted to say those are wonderful ideas. I would have loved that kind of stuff when I was teaching. And you are very right about the stuff just clutters up the house(as I said you can only use so many #1 teacher items-yes I teach but I am more than a teacher and other things would be nice). Even though people think gift certificates are so generic, I always loved them and truly appreciated them, even to Holcombs!