The Truth about Teacher Gifts, Things NOT to Do

[pigletto]

A question for the teachers.. would it be tacky to just come out and ask what the classroom or teacher might need? I will be visiting my sons JK classroom next week and I thought maybe I would just ask specifically if there are any supplies they are short on.
If she gives me an idea of what they are low on I can do some bargain shopping and make up a basket like someone else suggested.
Thoughts?

 

[eeyorethegreat]

A question for the teachers.. would it be tacky to just come out and ask what the classroom or teacher might need? I will be visiting my sons JK classroom next week and I thought maybe I would just ask specifically if there are any supplies they are short on.
If she gives me an idea of what they are low on I can do some bargain shopping and make up a basket like someone else suggested.
Thoughts?

Absolutely not tacky. By all means ask the teacher what he or she could use in the classroom. I would reccomend that any parent who feels the need or desire to offer a gift at the holidays do this. I am sure the teacher would be thrilled that you are showing interest in what the class needs and pleased that she or he doesn't need to go out and get it on their own. I had a family bring in kleenex today I just about did a jig and thanked them several times for ther gift to the class!

 

[crisi]

I think the OP sounded bratty and ungrateful. Whatever happend to "It's the thought that counts"? Students don't HAVE to get their teachers anything; it's a courtesy.

I don't think the OP sounds bratty or ungrateful at all. This is the budget board, no one needs to go out and spend $10 on a Christmas ornament that has a high chance of getting tossed - particularly when a note will be treasured. Reminding people of this is a good service.

 

[Pigeon]

A dear friend who is a teacher donates her stuff the local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Last year, she donated the items she didn't want to a refugee family that was sponsored by her church. Even the mismatched mugs are enjoyed by families who have no mugs.....

Our Salvation Army disposes of the teacher mugs. We asked and they don't want them.

 

[hambirg]

I am a single mom on a very tight budget. My little one gets special help from two different teachers and she has a student teacher. I don't know if its rude not to buy for all of them. I just simply can't buy for all of them so i am sticking to just their main teachers. I would like to acknowledge them in some way. I am sure that they understand people just can't afford to get too much. I know one is a Dunkin Donuts fanatic, but since we are on a budget do you think a $10.00 gift card is too cheap? I don't want my daughter's to be the only one in their class that doesn't give their teacher anything so we will give something, but it can't be much.

I don't think $10 is too cheap. That will be fine. As far as the other teachers, have your daughter write them a note, make them a card. That is usually appreciation enough. Another thing you might consider to add is a pen that can be hung around your neck or a key lanyard either for your neck or wrist. I know when I was teaching we always used these. I would have gone bonkers without my neck pen. LOL! They can be picked up at Walgreens for cheap. I think one of those with a card would be nice.

ETA: I think asking the teacher what they need is a good idea. One year my DD's teacher was a first year and we bought her a flip chart. It was kind of pricey, but I knew it was something she really needed and was hampering her not having one. (It was a private school, not sure I would do that for a public one.) You would be surprised sometimes with what teachers need. Somebody above said how thrilled they were with Kleenex. For me it was white board markers. My first year of teaching my room staple sucked a**. It was always getting jammed and just never worked. When asked, I told a parent I could use a good stapler and they bought me a really nice electric one. OMG! That was great! Other things I always liked. . .Starbucks GCs, Borders GCs, the local teacher store GC's, Target GCs, hand sanitizer, BBW soap, and I'm not big on candy, but one year I got a box of Hershey's Pot of Gold. . .yum! That was one I kept and didn't put in the staff lounge to share. LOL! Plus cards from the kids were always the best. They do make you cry.

One more thing. . .on the mugs. I always used them to put pencils in. . .overhead markers,etc. When I started getting too many I would put them in the staff lounge for visitors and substitutes to use. That way the ones that were getting icky could be thrown out. So, don't feel bad if you've given them in the past. It's the thought that counts.

 

[andymattmom]

I am one against the "collection" from the class. There are always the same families (at least in our school) who can afford to give to the gift for a teacher and for whatever reason they don't. Why should their childs name go down as giving a gift when in all honest they did not contribute. This goes along with the same families not donating to parties (Harvest, Valentine, etc.) and only want to be involved when it is "fun". I have spent so much over the years making sure my kids parties are fun and they have plenty. This past Harvest party I was laid up from foot surgery and my youngest had his final party (middle school next year). I hadn't hear a word about the party (I plan way ahead..2-3 weeks so parents have time to send stuff in). He came home 1 day BEFORE the party and said the parent in charge wanted candy (I sent cute notes home)...I sent in 3 bags of candy...3 parents out of 26 supplied candy to this class....that was it. I also send thank you notes....everyone gets one but it thanks those who supplied (not by names).

I sub at my kids school and see what some of the teachers get. I have never heard them say they don't like anything...I do see a lot of the lotions and soaps in the staff restrooms or in the closets/drawers where they do use it during class. I see the antibacterial stuff on the desk.

In the past I have given several things that have been mentioned...gift cards are the best. This year I was thinking about Applebee's...ours has a current buy $50 get $10 for you. I was thinking of doing 5 $10 giftcards..giving them to the teachers and principals. I always do a small gift for the principal and asst. principal since they are involved with the children also. We have 3 main teachers...and this is the last year. Once middle school comes I don't do anything unless the teacher has been outstanding. I sent an appreciation note to my older sons teacher for extra efforts she made...she sent a wonderful thank you and forwarded it to the superintendant of the schools...he sent one thanking me for acknowleding the teacher.

With everyone's dollar being stretched this year I think teachers would appreciate anything. Even as a sub if I am there right before Xmas I have gotten a few gifts...I have a few ornaments on the tree and some lotion that I used. I think the best idea thru this thread has been a donation to a charity or a classroom book or game when indoor recess is necessary. Also supplies like dry erase markers, chalk, kleenex, prizes for the always present prize basket, paper, notebooks, etc.

 

[extremesoccermom]

I think everyone has some great ideas. (I also have allergies and asthma so I do not like candles or lotion but I know some people do) Gift Cards are usually good although this year you have to worry about stores going out of business .

I do a lot of volunteering at my DD14 school so I know the teachers pretty well. I know their likes and dislikes. I usually do a personal gift of their favorite soda, microwave popcorn and a GC for food or movie. Then I do a classroom gift. A few times a year the teachers send a note home asking for Kleenex, Germ Gel, Pencils.... so I usually buy extras of those items at the beginning of the school year or through the year box them up and let the whole class enjoy new supplies.

It really depends on the teacher and how well you get to know them. My DD will have the same teachers all 3 years of middle school. They are wonderful and they call me all the time, email each other and even plan get together nights for all the students, parents and teachers, they pick a neighborhood eatery and we all meet up to talk and get to know each other.

 

[La2kw]

I think the OP sounded bratty and ungrateful. Whatever happend to "It's the thought that counts"? Students don't HAVE to get their teachers anything; it's a courtesy.

It's not being ungrateful to make a suggestion, which is what the OP did. I'm grateful for every gift I receive from a student, but that doesn't mean I feel I have to use it. I've been teaching a long time, and when I have thirty students a year, multiplied by the number of years I have been teaching, that's a lot of gifts. DW is also a teacher and has had thirty students every year for many years. We don't have the room in our house, classrooms, or anywhere else to store that many mugs, candles, lotion products, etc.

 

[SILLYANDI]

Sadly, most schools no longer allow homemade treats for parties, they must be store bought. They are thrown away because there are too many issues with cleanliness, allergies and so on. Bakes sales are also no longer acceptable for fund raisers, just too much liability.

I think this is a broad exaggeration. There is nothing even close to this in our area (and I've checked with other teachers in other districts just to be sure before I've posted). To say that MOST schools do not allow homemade treats can't possibly be true. If you said SOME schools, It would give your thread more credibility.
I agree on the mugs & ornaments but I'd like to add teacher themed tote bags, notes pads & rubber stamps-seems to have been the hot item for me last year...

 

[Bopsmom]

A question for the teachers.. would it be tacky to just come out and ask what the classroom or teacher might need? I will be visiting my sons JK classroom next week and I thought maybe I would just ask specifically if there are any supplies they are short on.
If she gives me an idea of what they are low on I can do some bargain shopping and make up a basket like someone else suggested.
Thoughts?

Sounds great Asking her what she needs for her class is great-giving anyone a gift to help out at work(make their day easier) is always good.

I loved the Chalkboard Markers-if the teacher still writes on a blackboard. They are great but pricey. A couple goes a long way.
We now have dry erase boards(yuk) and SmartBoards(yeah) in our school but when my class had blackboards the markers were fantastic!!!

 

[ekball]

OP - thank you for your post. As mom to a kindergartener I'm new to all of this, so this is very helpful. I'm definitely planning on gift cards for our teachers (and I'm thinking a small one for the bus driver too), so my question now is....
Do you get the same amount for the teacher and the paraprofessional/ assistant teacher? I'm truly a newbie at this, so I wouldn't know the etiquette on this. Any advice would be most welcomed!

 

[hippiechicken]

Great post!! I will go back and read it all tomorrow.

I'm a teacher, but hate apples, unless they're to eat.
I would much prefer a card or $3.00 Starbucks GC instead of junk or apple themed teacher stuff.

I once got a Worlds Best Secretary mug that was pretty special.

Texas has a Food Policy for Public schools. We are not allowed to serve homemade things or foods of minimal nutritional value!!

 

[flying_babyb]

we also have the food policy.

 

[BeckyScott]

Do you get the same amount for the teacher and the paraprofessional/ assistant teacher? I'm truly a newbie at this, so I wouldn't know the etiquette on this. Any advice would be most welcomed!

I always do, if not a bit "extra" for the para. But that's because the para is there for my kid. Well, he shares her with one other child, but you know what I mean. I'm pretty sure nobody else gives her anything, and I feel kinda bad about that.

I've always kinda thought (and I could be wrong although I'm sure it depends on the school) that the teachers load up on stuff, but the paras and therapists and SpEd teachers and specials teachers and the nurse (if your kid is a frequent flier in the nurse's office) don't get as much, if anything. With my son, it truly does take a village.

Being a teacher is hard, but you gotta swing a little present to the person that takes him to the bathroom, if you kwim.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

OP - thank you for your post. As mom to a kindergartener I'm new to all of this, so this is very helpful. I'm definitely planning on gift cards for our teachers (and I'm thinking a small one for the bus driver too), so my question now is....
Do you get the same amount for the teacher and the paraprofessional/ assistant teacher? I'm truly a newbie at this, so I wouldn't know the etiquette on this. Any advice would be most welcomed!

I always give the teacher a gift card to a local teacher supply store- to be used for the classroom. I do not think any teacher should have to use her/his own $ to outfit a classroom. The paraprofessional does not usually contribute to classroom supplies so I usually get her a gift card to Dunkin Doughnuts or local restaurant.

I try to contribute to my kid's classrooms all year. I send tissue boxes, markers, hand sanitizer, etc whenever I buy some for myself. I buy books for the classroom when the book fair comes around. i am also a nurse practitioner so I get loads of pens, post it notes, pads, etc and the teachers go gaga over them.

I love the idea of writing a note, though will probably use this at the end of the year.

 

[Mom2micayla]

What about a charitable contribution for the local food bank or salvation army in the teacher's name? Would a teacher like that? Last year I did gift cards. I can still do that, but I thought given the economy, my money could be better spent helping someone who truly needs help than just getting the teacher a gift card for Starbucks or something. But I don't want to seem cheap.

 

[rt2dz]

Great post!! I will go back and read it all tomorrow.

I'm a teacher, but hate apples, unless they're to eat.
I would much prefer a card or $3.00 Starbucks GC instead of junk or apple themed teacher stuff.

I once got a Worlds Best Secretary mug that was pretty special.

Texas has a Food Policy for Public schools. We are not allowed to serve homemade things or foods of minimal nutritional value!!

That's not Texas, but your school district.

Tons of schools in TX allow homemade items and foods of minimal nutritional value are limited, but not banned. Birthdays, lunches and adults are exempt from that.

 

[Tricia1972]

What???? Who and what are you talking about?

I don't know either....I reported it because it's either on the wrong thread or totally off topic.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I admit that I didn't read this entire thread (20 pages long). I just ordered totes for my sons teachers and purses for the assistants from Vera Bradley. For you teachers out there, is this something that you would appreciate? Those teachers are miracle workers, in my opinion (my sons are autistic). I wanted to get them something very nice. But if totes are not something that teachers would want, then forget it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm pretty sure nobody else gives her anything, and I feel kinda bad about that.

I always do. And to the nurse, the bus driver, the crossing guard, the coaches, the CCD teacher, the guitar teacher, etc. Which I think is why this gets so darned stressful!