Holiday gifts for teachers?

Spin313 · November 2013

Are you doing holiday gifts for your elementary school teacher(s)...?

We always did gifts in preschool and I am wondering if I should try to organize the class parents to donate a couple of bucks and do a nice gift card, or just do something small on our own.

jnksmom · November 2013

We are doing gift cards for DD and DS's teachers.

MirandaHobbes · November 2013

Your PTA rep should be able to weigh in on what the norm is. I'm the room parent for my room and the PTA was specific that room parents usually, but not always, organize a class present. I'm reluctant to do so in my class, though, because it is a much smaller room (only 15 kids) and I only have contact info for about half the class. I feel like if I leave someone out there would be hard feelings. Also, the teacher has been blunt in telling me that she doesn't expect/need parent involvement, so I don't know if a "class" gift is expected from her. We'll do a gift card to a restaurant by her house (we live a couple blocks from her).

Spin313 · November 2013

Yeah...our PTO really has nothing to do with classrooms. Most of the teachers (DS's included) don't have room moms.

Guess I can send an email to the other parents and see.

Virgo&Aquarius · November 2013

Gift cards are really appreciated by teachers! More so than the cheesy gifts of the past are. My aunt taught for over 30 years and gift cards were her favs. I've done gas cards, and gift cards to, Bed bath and beyond, Target and Walmart. My DD's teacher is awesome so I'll be getting her one this year.

neverblushed · November 2013

I always do a gift for my son's classroom teacher. I stopped when my DD went to middle school, because there are several teachers, and you don't have as much of a personal connection to them. I will gift a specialist or middle school teacher when my kid has had a special relationship with that teacher. Otherwise, I don't worry about them. I teach secondary school, and I don't get gifts from every single student (and don't expect to.)

I'll share a list of things I like and do not like to receive. Like To Receive: handmade notes/cards from the student; gift cards(Target, bookstores, or Panera), food or snacks. Do Not Like To Receive: apple/teacher themed knick-knacks, candles, lotions, bath stuff.

I save every handmade card, note, or work of art I receive from my students. Scented lotion goes right in the garbage.

I generally give my kids' teachers homemade bread or cookies. My kids like to help me make bread for their teachers, and I feel good about giving something I took the time to make.

Littlejen22 · November 2013

I am going to do a small bag of school supplies like pencils, stickers, hand sanitizer and maybe two or three more things I know she could use for the class like dry erase markers and a small gift card. DS will write her a note also.

MesmrEwe · December 2013

So here's a question for the anti-candle folks: What if the candles are hand-poured beeswax from a honey farm with no added scent/colors? (and the teacher likes all things honey/bees/natural products?)

neverblushed · December 2013

MesmrEwe said:

So here's a question for the anti-candle folks: What if the candles are hand-poured beeswax from a honey farm with no added scent/colors? (and the teacher likes all things honey/bees/natural products?)

I would be okay with this. I burn Yankee candles in my home, but I'm picky about which scents I'll buy. Some scents make me sneeze a lot.

Unscented and homemade would be fine!

KL777 · December 2013

Gift card to the teacher and a box of assorted chocolates to be shared among the principal, office staff, and after school program staff. (DS goes to a small private school.)

Smores730 · December 2013

We bought her a gift card to the local movie theater and will send some homemade fudge. I'm also having my DD write a thank you note.
Another former teacher here that got inundated with lotions/bath stuff. I don't dislike the gift, I just don't ever get to everything and some smells are gross!

shopgirl78 · December 2013

I do gift cards. I am a teacher (upper elem) and spend a descent amount on my classroom. I use the gift cards to purchase things our class needs/wants.

I like candles but its a very common gift. I ended up with at least 5-6, some I didn't really care for the smell. I did like the scentsy that I received, that I can have in my class (candles I can not!). I got some gloves, lots of baked goodies, many of which I will not be able to eat (going out of town tomorrow), yesterday was the last day. I did get some notepads (very useful) and a sign to put up in my room. I got a scarf but I am not a scarfy person. I'm at an awesome school and was very blessed this year. I appreciate all the thoughtfulness.

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