It's that time of year again - do you get gifts for your kids' teachers during the holidays? With my first child, I used to do the old-school mug gift, or maybe chip in a couple bucks toward a gift card. Now, it seems like a couple bucks isn't sufficient and the old-school thing is a little, well, old. I have three kids in various stages of school, so it does add up, especially since I usually spend about $20 (on a gift card, usually to Target) per teacher, including teaching assistants/aides.
What do you do? And do you give assistants/aides the same gift? Yes, I realize that schools say they "discourage" this kind of thing, but no one's ever refused our gifts.
(And, just to clarify, I am in no way complaining about getting teachers a holiday gift. There are actually many teachers in my family, and probably no one appreciates the hard work and dedication that these folks have more than I do.)
gabgirl
I do get gifts for my son's
I do get gifts for my son's teachers. Usually I pick up a candle or cookies or something for each for under $10. I am a high school teacher so I do not usually get gifts from students (the gift giving ends in elementary school), but every year I have a couple of students who surprise me with a gift. I love to get gift cards for places like Starbucks. I think $5-$10 is sufficient. I think a $20 gift is really generous and pretty unusual for a teacher to get something of that value from a student, so if you're concerned about the cost don't feel bad about reducing it.
My son is in elementary
My son is in elementary school and I do a gift each year for his teacher as well. The first few years I did a personalized Christmas ornament. The ones you can get at the mall. :-) But now since he is getting older, I am thinking about the gift card to Starbucks. And I agree with the previous response, $10 should be enough.
I was on Arizona Midday on
I was on Arizona Midday on Channel 12 on Monday talking about this. I put up a blog late afternoon yesterday with some gift suggestions, based on the research I did for the show.
Here's the link to the blog: http://arizonamoms.com/blogs/teacher-gifts
Among my suggestions: stay away from food, candles and lotions. Everyone is thinking that way. Can you imagine getting 10 boxes of those Hersey's Pot of Gold chocolates? Or 10 candles?
While the thought is what counts, you don't want your gift regifted or thrown out.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
What? You're saying getting
What? You're saying getting 10 candles or 10 boxes of chocolates would be a bad thing? I think I'd be in heaven!! One can never get "too much" of either! :)
I agree with the $10 limit.
I agree with the $10 limit. And a teacher friend of mine once told me to steer clear of all those cutsie "A+ Teacher'' gifts and I think she's right - how many of those do you want/need, especially as a veteran teacher.
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.
Gift cards I think are
Gift cards I think are great. Whether it is for a movie, coffee or even a gas card (ok that doesn't go far these days) or a store (think an educational store). Those are always greatly appreciated. It is almost one size fits all.
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
I do think some parents go
I do think some parents go overboard on gifts. I do give a gift card, generally $15-20. But I've thought to scaling back to $10 for budget reasons (It won't save me a ton, but every dollar counts right now). We always write a thank-you note, too.
I think my kids' teachers know how much I appreciate them. I take time to volunteer weekly at school. That, to me, is more helpful than a box of chocolates or starbucks card for the holidays. Though I'm sure they like the gift cards, too.
I've been thinking about
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. My son is in preschool (at one of the elementary schools) for the first time, and I feel like I should do something. Unfortunately, we're on the tightest budget of our lives this Christmas, and when I add in his actual teacher, her three assistants, and his speech and occupational therapists, it's just too much. I had originally thought I'd make some fudge and put in a decorative tin for them all, but after reading some suggestions, maybe that isn't such a good idea? My son is only 3, and there aren't many "crafty" type things he can do just yet to give as gifts. Maybe I can cut something else out and get a few classroom supplies; any ideas what kind of supplies a preschool classroom might need?
Yeah, I know. Preschools are
Yeah, I know. Preschools are tough. Sooo many teachers. I did the chocolates one year, and I felt bad about it later just because one of them was on a diet and others got tons of it. I tried small ornaments - found some for about $3-$5 each at Hallmark...those handcrafted types, but honestly I think they were made in China. Then again, you might offend someone that isn't Christian/doesn't celebrate Christmas.
I'd ask if there is a game the class can use. Or go with a small picture frame (you can find cute cheap ones at ross. I got a couple the other day for $4). Good luck. This is just so stressful for parents on budgets.
Ok, now I'm totally
Ok, now I'm totally rethinking what I bought my daughter's teachers! I found a great deal on some trial size Burt's Bees products in their own little bags, but I don't know now after reading some of your thoughts. At least it's not chocolates or a mug! :-)
As a teacher, I'll say this:
As a teacher, I'll say this: we LOVE gifts!! It's not the material items that we love, but the fact that it shows that someone appreciates us; thus, I think most of us appreciate anything, whether it's the 10th candle or another tin of food. My students are older (12th grade,) so gifts from them are especially nice because generally they buy them on their own.
Chris Marsh--mother, teacher, runner, coach....
I do know several teachers
I do know several teachers (at a variety of grade levels) and while they are always appreciative of any kind of gift - whether it's handmade or picked from the garden or the latest trendy item from the upscale department store - I know they can always use materials for the classroom. In the past, I've done $20 cards to a major discount retailer (yep - it adds up fast!), but I too am thinking of scaling back just a bit this year to maybe $10. Yet, it seems kind of grinch-y at the same time, especially knowing all the time and effort that goes into teaching and because I'm well aware of the financial sacrifices these folks make, day in and day out. Decisions, decisions!
gabgirl
I know teachers aren't
I know teachers aren't supposed to accept gifts but as you say they really don't ever decline them especially from children. Even when looking for mothers day gifts we try and get them something they can use like a gift certificate to a local book store etc.