Teacher gift question

[aspentosh]

I feel like I know the answer, but asking anyway.

We are giving DD's teacher a $50 gift card to target, a little Burt bees chapstick ornament thing, and then I thought about grabbing this throw from West Elm in silver/white. Yes or waste of money?

I know no mugs/cups/etc but wasn't sure if that would be useful or unnecessary.

[cabbagecabbage]

One of the listicles I read put throws in the top ten don't give pile. I wouldn't. You're already being very generous.

[minniemouse]

I would not. $50 is very generous, at least in my MCOL area. I’m also trying to avoid giving “stuff” if I don’t know what the person wants or needs. I would hate for it to become clutter.
We are giving $15 target cards attached to a hot chocolate packet that is in a holiday wrapper with a ribbon (from target). Not fancy hot chocolate either- I think It’s Swiss miss. lol. It’s basically just a vehicle for the gift card.
I also bought smaller gift cards ($10 and $5) for dance teachers, religion teachers and assistants. I would have loved to do more but we had 17 teachers between the 2 kids to buy for so...

[aspentosh]

Ok, thanks ladies. I was worried it would be "stuff" and go wasted. I'll pass on it!

[CrazyLucky]

Dec 7, 2018 8:23:34 GMT -5 minniemouse said:

I would not. $50 is very generous, at least in my MCOL area. I’m also trying to avoid giving “stuff” if I don’t know what the person wants or needs. I would hate for it to become clutter.
We are giving $15 target cards attached to a hot chocolate packet that is in a holiday wrapper with a ribbon (from target). Not fancy hot chocolate either- I think It’s Swiss miss. lol. It’s basically just a vehicle for the gift card.
I also bought smaller gift cards ($10 and $5) for dance teachers, religion teachers and assistants. I would have loved to do more but we had 17 teachers between the 2 kids to buy for so...

We're here.  We buy for 18 teachers between school, daycare, and activities like art and piano.  If you want to add something, you can a GC and note that it's meant to be used for school supplies, or just buy some classroom supplies and send them in.

[VillainV]

I vote no for a teacher unless you have a longer-standing more personal relationship with him or her (ie: they taught multiple children, you were room mom and worked closely on projects, they also coach your kid’s track team, etc).

Otherwise what you’ve done is fine.

[lo]

As a teacher I would like it!

[tacokick]

I’m always amazed at the level of teacher gifts here! No one ever gave my teachers a gift when I was in school and I never received one beyond homemade cookies when I taught. When did this become common?

[Blue Moon]

Teacher checking in. I would appreciate, but honestly never use, 99% of gifts like throws, mugs, fancy chocolate etc. A gift card is wonderful, but I totally don't expect anything.

[ssmjlm]

Dec 7, 2018 11:59:06 GMT -5 tacokick said:

I’m always amazed at the level of teacher gifts here! No one ever gave my teachers a gift when I was in school and I never received one beyond homemade cookies when I taught. When did this become common?

I think it’s gotten bigger because teacher salary disparity and supply shortages are more prominent.

When I was a kid teachers made good money (relative to our area careers) and had what they needed. I remember one year there was a toner and paper shortage and parents practically picketed at the board of Ed.

That said, I wouldn’t do the throw. I’m doing $50gc and then asked what supplies she needed and bought those.

[gastro]

We have our teachers/staff fill out forms at the beginning of the year with questions like - favorite restaurant, store, hobbies, coffee vs tea, donuts vs bagel etc... Its kept in a binder at the front office and anyone can check it. Its been extremely helpful during gift giving time.

[tacokick]

Dec 7, 2018 12:03:12 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Dec 7, 2018 11:59:06 GMT -5 tacokick said:

I’m always amazed at the level of teacher gifts here! No one ever gave my teachers a gift when I was in school and I never received one beyond homemade cookies when I taught. When did this become common?

I think it’s gotten bigger because teacher salary disparity and supply shortages are more prominent.

When I was a kid teachers made good money (relative to our area careers) and had what they needed. I remember one year there was a toner and paper shortage and parents practically picketed at the board of Ed.

That said, I wouldn’t do the throw. I’m doing $50gc and then asked what supplies she needed and bought those.

Maybe so? I made $28,000 with a MA at the private school so I wasn’t pulling in the big bucks. We did have supplies though! When I was in the city we didn’t have anything supplied—no paper, copiers, chalk, pens, pencils etc but I did make a little bit more. We did get a copier one Christmas from a nearby company which was nice.

Not that I expected or wanted a gift but it is so foreign to me and I was a teacher not too many years ago. Lucky teachers!

[nicolewi]

Yeah, that would be a LOT in my area, too. We do a $15 GC attached to a small item & card. This year I have some really cute felt donut ornaments and some holiday soaps that actually smell nice and are wrapped really pretty. Got both those at TJ Maxx.

[erbear]

Dec 7, 2018 12:03:12 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

Dec 7, 2018 11:59:06 GMT -5 tacokick said:

I’m always amazed at the level of teacher gifts here! No one ever gave my teachers a gift when I was in school and I never received one beyond homemade cookies when I taught. When did this become common?

I think it’s gotten bigger because teacher salary disparity and supply shortages are more prominent.

When I was a kid teachers made good money (relative to our area careers) and had what they needed. I remember one year there was a toner and paper shortage and parents practically picketed at the board of Ed.

That said, I wouldn’t do the throw. I’m doing $50gc and then asked what supplies she needed and bought those.

I blame Pinterest.

[Deleted]

Dec 9, 2018 21:23:58 GMT -5 erbear said:

Dec 7, 2018 12:03:12 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

I think it’s gotten bigger because teacher salary disparity and supply shortages are more prominent.

When I was a kid teachers made good money (relative to our area careers) and had what they needed. I remember one year there was a toner and paper shortage and parents practically picketed at the board of Ed.

That said, I wouldn’t do the throw. I’m doing $50gc and then asked what supplies she needed and bought those.

I blame Pinterest.

I was going to say I think it has as much to do with social media and message boards as anything. Like one rich mom decides she has to go all out on a teacher Christmas gift, so all her other rich moms follow suit.

Don’t get me wrong - I am not opposed to teacher gifts. I just think people get really hung up on the how much and what and worry about looking cheap compared to other people. Give what you are comfortable with and call it a day.