Comments on: You Tell Me: Teacher Gifts

By: R. May

R. May — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:05:52 +0000

Sorry – I’m the ogre. And my mom was a kindergarten teacher.

I do not do teacher gifts. It is your job to teach my child. Yes I appreciate that you do so, but still – it’s your job.

My dad used to be an Air Traffic Controller – I’m sure people appreciated him keepign planes from running into each other but no gifts – cause it was his job.

My daughter’s Marine father – he doesn’t get gifts for protecting the Country – it’s his job.

Send a thank you note by all means. Skip the gratification.

By: Alice

Alice — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:45:52 +0000

When I was still in school, I also dreaded the idea of picking and choosing who to give gifts to–I had about 20 people in mind. So, what I did was go to the florist at my local supermarket and asked her to wrap individual flowers for me–you can get carnations which are pretty inexpensive. They did not charge me for extra “leafy” decorations, and I was able to give a flower with a handwritten note to over 30 people for around $30.

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:28:25 +0000

I think something you could do is make cookies and put together little bags of cookies everyone but the two main teachers or go to a local nursery and buy six packs of plants. Each child could pot these in little pots which you can find pretty inexpensive and then you scedule a time to help the child deliver them to the helpers, bus people, etc.

By: CJ McD

CJ McD — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:40:39 +0000

It’s easy and economical to assemble a small basket of office supplies (tape, extra staples, sticky notes, paper clips, stamp pad, markers or red pens, etc.) Tuck them into a small basket stuffed with tissue and add a bow. A hand written thank you note included adds the final perfect touch.

By: autumnesf

autumnesf — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:45:16 +0000

I must be one of the only people in the world that doesn't do teachers gifts. They aren't frugal in our universe. Now, a card or letter are fantastic, but presents I don't get. The teachers are coming to work every day and doing the job they chose. I cannot give gifts to everyone I come in contact with that is doing their job. So it seems unfair to me to gift a teacher but not the mail man or trash guys or the kids hair cutting person or the kids doctors. Can't do it. But everyone loves being told how they are appreciated...we can't do that enough. autumnesf’s last blog post..Priced to Sell

By: Jo

Jo — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:18:23 +0000

As a former teacher, I would agree: no coffee mugs or baked goods, please! I loved getting personal notes from the students and/or their parents. My son was leaving elementary school this year, so I just gifted his regular classroom teacher and his gifted ed teacher with gift cards (one to Barnes and Noble and one to our great local all-in-one store called Fred Meyers.) He loved going to library, and his librarian did many extra tasks for him so sweetly so I sewed her a large fabric book bag. When he was younger, I also gifted bus drivers, and the other teachers (pe, nurse, music, etc) with small denomination gift cards.

By: Linda Fox

Linda Fox — Mon, 25 May 2009 11:49:40 +0000

A book for the school library is a great idea. It can be one of your childrens favorites or something you choose as a family. You can write inside the book to honor specific staff members in the school.
And several years later, if they like, your children can go back to that library and find “their” book and remember those great teachers and staff members once again.

By: Bethany

Bethany — Sun, 24 May 2009 03:19:08 +0000

If the teacher has been teaching for a short time (under 5 years) a gift certificate to the teacher supply store is always helpful. I received one as a student teacher, and it was so nice to have a little something to pick out new things for my new classroom.

A word of advice…don’t try to buy a teacher clothing. No kidding…I received a vest from a little boy for Christmas once (a nice sparkley one :) but it was about 2 sizes too small. Quite embarrassing for us both. He made up for it at the end of the year. He brought me a cookbook published by the alumni association from my college alma mater. Very thoughtful!

By: Denise

Denise — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:18:03 +0000

I always try to cordornate with other moms, take up cash and purchase a gift card to a local resturant or walmart. When gas was so high last year I did gas cards. That way no one knows who spent more and with 20 or so kids in the room the teacher still gets something pretty nice. BTW at Christmas this year we did this and my youngest has 22 in her class and the teacher got $160. I never set a limit so people give what they want. Denise’s last blog post..CVS Deals

By: Caleb

Caleb — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:15:48 +0000

As a parent of a teacher I’m always up for brownies from a box. The mix plus ingredients costs less than $3 and will make enough for your long list of teachers and aides.