Too nice of a teacher gift?

[ekatiel]

My best friend works for the corporate office of a large hand bag manufacturer. She can get me great deals on bags and purses, so I had her pick me up something for each of my boys' teachers for Christmas. For my son's kindergarten teacher, she scored a really nice leather tote (I think it was from last season, so I can't find prices online, but it probably retailed for about $150). I got it for $25. GREAT deal , but I don't want to make the teacher uncomfortable by giving her TOO nice of a gift. I would like to send the gift with my son on Wednesday (we leave for WDW on Thursday ). Is there some sort of note I could write in the card to convey that I got a great deal on the bag without sounding tacky?? Or should I just give it to her and not say anything. We live in a fairly nice suburb, where some of the moms will lay down $50 for teacher gift without blinking an eye, but $150 is stretching it! Any thoughts? --Katie

 

[lisateaches]

I am a teacher and although I would not expect anything I would love this and always remember it. I would put a little note with it that you got a great deal through the company and thought she would appreciate it. If I thought the parent spent too much I'd think they were trying to brown nose me into something or I'd think it was a fake. I also remember my only gift I received in my first five years teaching in a very poor area- a mitten ornament with the girls name on the tag- I still have it. ( it was from the dollar store )

 

[3boymthr]

I am a teacher and although I would not expect anything I would love this and always remember it. I would put a little note with it that you got a great deal through the company and thought she would appreciate it. If I thought the parent spent too much I'd think they were trying to brown nose me into something or I'd think it was a fake. I also remember my only gift I received in my first five years teaching in a very poor area- a mitten ornament with the girls name on the tag- I still have it. ( it was from the dollar store )

This

 

[casjen]

In my state, teachers are not allowed to accept gifts over $50. I am a teacher and we all had to sign a legal document stating we read and accepted the policy. So if I got a purse I thought was more than $50 I would be required to give it back. Or very uncomfortably ask the family how much they spent on it. So a note on there subtly letting the teacher know it was a great deal would be helpful.

 

[mom of princessx2]

JMO but I don't think I would do it. Not only may it make the teacher uncomfortable but the other parents as well. Though it would be a fabulous gift I think adding a note to say "but I got a really good discount" dosen't seem to lessen the uncomfortable feelings that could arise.

 

[Alexander]

Just send the gift. It doesn't matter what you paid or what it is worth. Remember folks....It's the thought that counts!?!?

I have received everything from dollar store coffee mugs to $100 gift cards from my students. I know some folks can do more than others, and I would NEVER consider it to be "brown-nosing"!

How on earth are the other parents going to know what you got your child's teacher for a gift?????

If you can't find it online to assume a price, then no one else will either. Just wrap the gift and send it in.

 

[happycampers]

I think it's awesome that you were blessed to find a great deal and are able to bless your child's teacher with an extra-nice gift because of that. I wouldn't be afraid of making anyone else uncomfortable.

 

[Teacher03]

JMO but I don't think I would do it. Not only may it make the teacher uncomfortable but the other parents as well. Though it would be a fabulous gift I think adding a note to say "but I got a really good discount" dosen't seem to lessen the uncomfortable feelings that could arise.

It might make me uncomfortable without the knowledge that she got a great deal. I am all for a great deal, so the note would help. And I'm not sure how the other parents would know about the gift, so I would say go ahead and write the note with the gift.

 

[cvjw]

Your gift to your child's teacher is between your family and the teacher. I wouldn't care what the other parents thought. If my child has a great teacher, I like to let her know how much we appreciate what she does for my child. My older DS had a fabulous teacher in 1st grade. A bunch of us parents got together and each gave her $100 bills for her present. It ended up being the most money any teacher at our school ever received at one time. She is still appreciative of that gift.

 

[libinatorsmom]

I would just give it too her.. I think the appreciation for your teacher is the all that matters!!! I usually try to get my DD teacher and Day care provider something every nice... We have given gifts or cash over $150 if we felt it was desearved...

 

[disykat]

I'd also say to send the note explaining. If I received something like that I'd probably be calling the parent thinking I was accidently given something intended for someone else.

Around here the whole teacher gift think isn't that big of a deal. I would guess 25% or less of elementary kids give gifts and they are definitely in the $5 or less range.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

This happened to me a few years ago. I scored Coach wristlets from the outlet for $15 a piece!!! Needless to say, the piano teacher, 3 dance teachers, and her teacher all got one, as well as her 2 aunts...what a wonderful christmas that was!!

 

[TheRatPack]

When my oldest 2 were in public school they had some teachers that opened gifts when the students were gone, or at home. Then they would send a thank you note...etc to us. I always thought that was nicer than opening the gift in front of the other students or parents/teachers. Maybe a note about it being a good deal and one that says it's okay to open it at a later time LOL when no one else is around.

 

[kirstenb1]

This happened to me a few years ago. I scored Coach wristlets from the outlet for $15 a piece!!! Needless to say, the piano teacher, 3 dance teachers, and her teacher all got one, as well as her 2 aunts...what a wonderful christmas that was!!

Too funny!! I go to the Coach outlet maybe once or twice a year, and I'm always hoping to find a bargain like that to give dd's teachers, therapists, etc. I haven't found it yet, but am glad you did!!

 

[IDoDis]

Just give the gift without a note. Even saying you got a good deal doesn't help much with figuring the cost. A $150 bag for $75 is a good deal, too! Later on after the break when you see the teacher, if she thanks you again you could mention that you got it for almost next to nothing. But I wouldn't put a note in with the gift.

She will really appreciate the gift! Lucky her!!!

 

[bucket o' butter]

Several years ago I got an awesome deal on a PDA for my son's first grade teacher. It retailed around $50, but I got it for $15. The teacher seemed a bit shocked, but I explained that I got an awesome deal on it and didn't pay the full price. He seemed a bit relieved at that point. I think the teacher who gets the purse will be pleasantly surprised, but you definitely should explain that you got a bargain on it so she isn't uncomfortable.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Teacher/ director here...I would just send the gift along with a chirstmas card thinking her for being a great teacher. IF she expresses her concern or mentions the high cost, share with her that you got a great deal but otherwise no. I agree that I have gotten $ store gifts and some VERY nice stuff and never thought "brown nose" about anyone.

 

[lisateaches]

I guess it was silly for me to say the brown nose thing but honestly I have NEVER gotten a nice gift so I have no idea how I'd feel. I teach in an area where the children are lucky if they get gifts, we have to be on the look out for kids who need coats, and we make sure they have basic supplies by buying them ourselves. Most of my students receive free breakfast and lunches and that may be their only meals.

Give it and go with your gut on how to handle it. Only you know the complete situation.

 

[Suellen]

Hmmm I'm not really sure what the rules/expectations are here. This is our first year in public school and we got a note home saying that they kids are not exchanging gifts but that we could send something in for the "classroom as a whole" if we wanted to. Would that be in lieu of a teacher gift or in addition?

I have no idea if there are district policies or not or where we would find out.

 

[DCbride]

I would just send in your present and a card thanking her for something specific that your child said, has had help with or just a project your child loved.

Last year I received a Tiffany bracelet at the end of the school year. It was amazing. I don't know or care if it is real or not, or what price the parent paid, it was very thoughtful. I wrote a note thanking her, along with the child who gave me a candle, the one who gave me seeds for my garden, etc.

And I personally do not feel that teachers should open gifts in front of students.

You may simply call the school to see if there are any policies regarding teacher gifts.