@ christmas gifts for teachers

little red buttons · December 2011

While I was dropping Milo off at school earlier in the week, two parents dropped off Christmas gifts for the teachers. Eeek! I hadn't even thought to do this. I was going to have Milo draw in a card for each of them and call it good. Now I feel like we should do more.

So...

1. Do you give Christmas gifts to the teachers?

2. What do you give?

I have 4 to buy for and was thinking nice tea from F&M or something?? I mean basically everyone here drinks tea, right?

chelbel7 · December 2011

Speaking as a teacher, receiving gifts totally depends on where you teach and the age you teach. I never expect anything and don't think twice if I don't receive anything.

I did my student teaching in an elementary school in a nice suburban area and received lotions, stationary, and a gift card (from the whole class) to a local teacher supply store among a few other things.

I then taught high schoolers in an urban area and didn't receive anything. I do however continue to receive emails from some students updating me on how they are doing and this is the stuff that really makes me happy.

I would say the card is plenty and made special with a few words of appreciation from that parents. If you want to give a gift then tea is good, a book for the classroom, or something that can be of use personally or in class.

BlushingMama · December 2011

I am giving James' keyworker a present, and everyone else is getting a card. We spent yesterday making 10 homemade cards and those are the cards we are giving out this year. I tootk James to Superdrug as I had points to spend and they are doing 3 for 2 and told him that he can choose his teachers gift and something for his dad from him (I then also bought his grandpa's gift). He ended up choosing a bath set thing for her - it has bath salts, soaps and bubble bath in it (and its Rose themed) and for his dad he chose a 'Stig' soap on a rope.

hamilton.ja · December 2011

I give one of our Christmas cards and a tin of homemade Christmas candy/cookies to each teacher and the director and then to Bruce's classroom teacher I also make a donation to Heifer Project in their name.

Typically our class will do a joint gift as well that one of the moms organizes. I haven't heard anything about that yet so I'm wondering if I should do it this year... It's usually everyone put in $5-10 and buy a giftcard or something.

little red buttons · December 2011

BlushingMama:
and for his dad he chose a 'Stig' soap on a rope.

Classic. I gave my dad many a soap on a rope when I was young. Poor guy He always acted so enthusiastic about it though!

I love the idea of getting a book for the classroom. We'll do that for sure!

welshgirl · December 2011

gosh - that's early, isn't it?

I hadn't thpought of it until talking to another mum last week, but I assumed the gifts were given the last day of term?

I love the book idea, that's nice. I wasn't sure because there are 4 teachers, 1 teaching assistant, but W just has the one keyworker. And his keyworker is so slim, I kidn of doubt she eats chocolate. Nice tea is a good idea.

I couldn't figure out how to distinguish between his keyworker and the others. They can't really share out a box of chocolates can they? Hand made cards are a good idea. Hmm.

(We gave H's dad a stig on a rope two christmases ago as a gag gift!)

little red buttons · December 2011

I thought it seemed super early as well, but their Christmas party is next week, so I'm going to try and get it all together in time for that. I settled on F&M tea and either clotted cream or stem ginger fudge for each teacher and one of Milo's favorite books for the class. Phew!

I suppose we'll do this again at the end of the year??

azure_azure · December 2011

Thanks for the reminder! I hadn't thought about getting a gift for his teachers.

MrsBini10 · December 2011

As a teacher I have some thoughts on what not to give

I always get mugs (seriously, I have waaayyyy too many), little teddy bears (not sure why), candles, and lotion. Not things I really have much use for. The best gifts I get from kids/parents are gift cards, even small ones like $5 for Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts.

titicole · December 2011

I have a friend here who is a teacher and she says she gets a ton of crap with some good stuff too. She liked the chocolate and the bottle of wine. I think your idea of tea is really nice.

dulcemariamar1 · December 2011

I would give giftcards or some food item from the store

. Most teachers that I know, throw out homemade cookies and cakes since you dont how clean their kitchen is. I wouldnt mind getting a card but you know they are just going to throw it out.

little red buttons · December 2011

dulcemariamar1:

I would give giftcards or some food item from the store

. Most teachers that I know, throw out homemade cookies and cakes since you dont how clean their kitchen is. I wouldnt mind getting a card but you know they are just going to throw it out.

That makes me sad.

welshgirl · December 2011

little red buttons:
dulcemariamar1:

I would give giftcards or some food item from the store

. Most teachers that I know, throw out homemade cookies and cakes since you dont how clean their kitchen is. I wouldnt mind getting a card but you know they are just going to throw it out.

That makes me sad.

Me too. Surely you could trust the parents?

Anyway, are you getting equally for all the teachers red buttons? I can't decide on that. I was thinking wine or tea (I like this idea - thanks!) for his key worker, but there are 4 others - and my initial idea of sharing a nice box of chocolates won't work unless they gobble them up on that one day... Poo.

little red buttons · December 2011

I'm getting each teacher the same gift. I think it worked out to about ?5.50 per person, so pretty cheap, really. One of the parents I saw earlier in the week handed over one large item, I'm guessing biscuits or chocolates to share, and the other, 4 small wrapped packages.

I'm sure they'll appreciate anything though. It's the thought that counts, right

dulcemariamar1 · December 2011

little red buttons:
dulcemariamar1:

I would give giftcards or some food item from the store

. Most teachers that I know, throw out homemade cookies and cakes since you dont how clean their kitchen is. I wouldnt mind getting a card but you know they are just going to throw it out.

That makes me sad.

Really? It was like the first thing they told me after Thanksgiving. Maybe, it just depends on the district that you work in.

MrsBini10 · December 2011

dulcemariamar1:
little red buttons:
dulcemariamar1:

I would give giftcards or some food item from the store

. Most teachers that I know, throw out homemade cookies and cakes since you dont how clean their kitchen is. I wouldnt mind getting a card but you know they are just going to throw it out.

That makes me sad.

Really? It was like the first thing they told me after Thanksgiving. Maybe, it just depends on the district that you work in.

I've taught in 4 different schools in 2 states and the UAE and I've never heard of this. It sounds paranoid.

BlushingMama · December 2011

dulcemariamar1:

Most teachers that I know, throw out homemade cookies and cakes since you dont how clean their kitchen is. I wouldnt mind getting a card but you know they are just going to throw it out.

After reading something like this on the Nest before I started to make enquiries and almost none of my SA teacher friends or British teacher friends, or James' teacher do this so I think it is more an American thing to do.

hamilton.ja · December 2011

I guess I don't *know* that the teachers ate my homemade treats last year but I would hope they did. It took me a lot of time to make them and I know they tasted good... I would be really sad if I found out someone just threw out something I made for them, that's really crappy. I mean why would you just assume no one else's kitchen is clean enough for you to eat from? Do these teachers not eat in restaurants or at their friends' homes, either?

MrsBini10 · December 2011

BlushingMama:
dulcemariamar1:

Most teachers that I know, throw out homemade cookies and cakes since you dont how clean their kitchen is. I wouldnt mind getting a card but you know they are just going to throw it out.

After reading something like this on the Nest before I started to make enquiries and almost none of my SA teacher friends or British teacher friends, or James' teacher do this so I think it is more an American thing to do.

I think it's more an assholey and/or OCD thing to do, personally.

allibally · December 2011

BlushingMama:
and for his dad he chose a 'Stig' soap on a rope.

As in The Stig as a soap hooked onto a rope!? That is awesome!

dulcemariamar1 · December 2011

MrsBini10:
BlushingMama:
dulcemariamar1:

Most teachers that I know, throw out homemade cookies and cakes since you dont how clean their kitchen is. I wouldnt mind getting a card but you know they are just going to throw it out.

After reading something like this on the Nest before I started to make enquiries and almost none of my SA teacher friends or British teacher friends, or James' teacher do this so I think it is more an American thing to do.

I think it's more an assholey and/or OCD thing to do, personally.

Tongue Tied I dont think the teachers were being assholey about it. Like I said before, I think it depends on the district or on the kid. Sometimes you can tell from the student that they dont exactly have the best family life KWIM? I dont think it being paranoid or OCD. It is sad, but if a student has problem with hygiene, it could be a reflection of their home life.

@ christmas gifts for teachers

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