Teachers - What’s your preferred GCs for TAW

[yourmother]

Teachers,

What are your preferred gift cards for Teacher Appreciation Week?  

My DS has about 10 teachers (aides, etc. - he’s special needs) and I don’t have the bandwidth to Pinterest my way through the week’s daily theme (flowers, candies, letters, etc.). So, I think I would like to gift them Gift Cards. Was wondering if fast food, Target, Walmart, what would be universally appreciated? I’ll also have my kid write a personalized card to each of them.

Another question for Teachers Lounges/break room: I bought (14)12-packs of various sodas and a TON of individually wrapped cookies, chips, krispy treats, etc.  Will this be appropriated? I wanted to do tacos or other foods, but everything is so damn expensive and I was able to get a ton of snacks and sodas from Costco and Target for $200 that can easily cover the staff of 70.

I really appreciate this school and the staff so much. I’ll probably bring in donuts one morning too. 

Thoughts?

[ssmjlm]

I usually do target or amazon. I figure that covers a wide base of needs.

They will 100% love the snacks! We always stock the lounge to kick off TAW as the PTA and its well received each year.

[arehopsveggies]

Id say Amazon or Walmart/target (whichever is easier to get to in your area- I love target but it’s hours away)

Food is harder. I love coffee but never eat fast food. Other people go to sonic all the time but never drink a coffee?

Snacks in the teachers lounge- always appreciated!!!

[grover]

All of that sounds awesome! Honestly, the card is appreciated just as much. Middle school teacher here, who we typically on get acknowledge by our AP and P. I'd go amazon/walmart/target, as I'm not a coffee drinker but I know there are others who do prefer coffee.

[jg183]

I'm a coffee drinker so I love a coffee card but I usually do amazon or target or whatever is closest. I feel like everyone can find something there and if it comes down to it they can use it for groceries or a snack

[jackie011]

We did a “favorite things” survey this year with our teachers and many replied that they don’t drink coffee! We took note to stop giving out so many Starbucks cards.

I’d go with Target or Walmart, whichever is most convenient in your area. I once had an older teacher ask what she was supposed to do with a $20 Amazon card so I just traded her cash.

The snacks sound awesome!

[heygrey]

All of that sounds amazing! I love individual treats in the staff room because I can’t always eat it then, but can stash it away for another time. And generally I enjoy things that aren’t communal so less sharing of germs.

I’m not a coffee drinker, but I still like Starbucks/Tim Horton’s cards. I give them to H to use and I appreciate the sentiment from the student.

[VillainV]

My husband LOVES Starbucks cards, but Amazon or Target/Walmart are good too. He also likes Skittles and Dr. Pepper, so many of his students just get him that. Just please no more coffee mugs. He got like 6-7 for Christmas and we gave them all away.

[erbear]

I’m happy to get anything but there are some I never use (Olive Garden, Dunkin). I love to get Starbucks, Target, Amazon, Barnes and noble.

All the snacks will be appreciated. This is super nice of you!

[redheadk]

Amazon, Target, or local nice grocery store are the best gift card options when buying for people that you aren't sure about preferences. My mom is an older teacher at 65 and definitely knows how to use amazon!

They will love the snacks! That is really nice of you to buy for everyone. The sodas in particular are a hit at my school since most people only drink the occasional soda as a treat so super nice to have during the school day, plus the soda machine in the lounge is $$$.

[sugarbear1]

Target, Amazon, or Nordstrom.
Your snacks will definitely be appreciated!

[just]

Apr 8, 2023 20:16:51 GMT -5 sugarbear1 said:

Target, Amazon, or Nordstrom.
Your snacks will definitely be appreciated!

I make more than the average teacher and can’t afford to shop at Nordstroms.

Obviously, I’m sure all gifts are appreciated, but I’d have to regift or sell a nordstroms card.

[sofamonkey]

Apr 8, 2023 20:21:46 GMT -5 just said:

Apr 8, 2023 20:16:51 GMT -5 sugarbear1 said:

Target, Amazon, or Nordstrom.
Your snacks will definitely be appreciated!

I make more than the average teacher and can’t afford to shop at Nordstroms.

Obviously, I’m sure all gifts are appreciated, but I’d have to regift or sell a nordstroms card.

I think they work at Nordstrom rack too, but I’m not 100% sure.

[eb777888]

Apr 8, 2023 20:36:47 GMT -5 sofamonkey said:

Apr 8, 2023 20:21:46 GMT -5 just said:

I make more than the average teacher and can’t afford to shop at Nordstroms.

Obviously, I’m sure all gifts are appreciated, but I’d have to regift or sell a nordstroms card.

I think they work at Nordstrom rack too, but I’m not 100% sure.

They do. 

[nextbigthing]

I feel like as long as there's one nearby Taget never fails. They can buy fun stuff or needed stuff

[W.T.Faulkner]

Target, Starbucks, Amazon. I’d be thrilled with any of those.

I work at a high school a high number of students living in poverty, so I don’t get gifts almost ever. . This is your annual reminder from me that I keep every single nice note I get from students and their parents, and I read them whenever I feel like I’m going to walk off the job and drive until I see the Pacific Ocean to start a new life away from these fucks.

[notsopicky]

YAY for those snacks! They are PERFECT!

Re: GCs, it's been covered--Target or Walmart is probably 1st seed, Amazon is 2nd seed, and Starbucks or other local food cards 3rd seed.

[abs]

I generally do Amazon gift cards for DD’s favorite teachers. They seem to be more desired at DD’s school. $10 Sonic cards for the others. Notes and favorite snack for all. (She has 8 teachers….adds up quickly!)

[stemmie]

It's hard to go wrong with Target or Amazon.

[yourmother]

I think I’ll stock with Target since we have them in every major intersection (we’re 2-3 miles from two different ones).

Thanks so much for everyone’s feedback on the snacks!

[Jalapeñomel]

I wouldn’t do food, just Target/Walmart/Amazon.

I know everyone loves Starbucks, but I hate getting them because there isn’t one close by me and it’s not my preferred place to get coffee. I think avoiding consumables is your best bet.

Anything is appreciated!

[sugarbear1]

Apr 8, 2023 20:21:46 GMT -5 just said:

Apr 8, 2023 20:16:51 GMT -5 sugarbear1 said:

Target, Amazon, or Nordstrom.
Your snacks will definitely be appreciated!

I make more than the average teacher and can’t afford to shop at Nordstroms.

Obviously, I’m sure all gifts are appreciated, but I’d have to regift or sell a nordstroms card.

Sometimes our parent association asks in advance so the amount is larger and I can splurge. But usually I use them at Nordstrom Rack, which I find to be pretty affordable.

[sugarbear1]

Apr 8, 2023 22:14:10 GMT -5 W.T.Faulkner said:

Target, Starbucks, Amazon. I’d be thrilled with any of those.

I work at a high school a high number of students living in poverty, so I don’t get gifts almost ever. . This is your annual reminder from me that I keep every single nice note I get from students and their parents, and I read them whenever I feel like I’m going to walk off the job and drive until I see the Pacific Ocean to start a new life away from these fucks.

I have a giant box with 18 years of notes and cards. I keep every single one and pull them out when I need a lift.

[outnumbered]

Apr 9, 2023 10:46:14 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I wouldn’t do food, just Target/Walmart/Amazon.

I know everyone loves Starbucks, but I hate getting them because there isn’t one close by me and it’s not my preferred place to get coffee. I think avoiding consumables is your best bet.

Anything is appreciated!

I agree with the above. I don't buy coffee out and I am not a big clothes shopper. Amazon or Target gives me more choices. I currently have $200 worth of Starbucks gift cards. I truly appreciate the sentiment, but I usually donate these to the local women's shelter.

[erbear]

Apr 8, 2023 22:14:10 GMT -5 W.T.Faulkner said:

Target, Starbucks, Amazon. I’d be thrilled with any of those.

I work at a high school a high number of students living in poverty, so I don’t get gifts almost ever. . This is your annual reminder from me that I keep every single nice note I get from students and their parents, and I read them whenever I feel like I’m going to walk off the job and drive until I see the Pacific Ocean to start a new life away from these fucks.

Also this. 23 years and I have every single one of those notes.

[artichokie]

Gcs to local businesses/boutiques/restaurants in your area

[jennistarr1]

yourmother, you're doing this all on your own?

But yes everything you've said I think will be appreciated

[yourmother]

Apr 10, 2023 8:40:06 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

yourmother , you're doing this all on your own?

But yes everything you've said I think will be appreciated

Yes! I really love all of the staff at this school. It’s a Title 1 school and these teachers bust their butts for a great experience for our kids. I don’t think they’ll get many gifts, so I wanted to show my DH’s and my appreciation for them. And I was thinking that if I went overboard on the snacks, hopefully they’ll pass them on to kids who may need them more.

[redheadk]

Apr 10, 2023 14:34:32 GMT -5 yourmother said:

Apr 10, 2023 8:40:06 GMT -5 jennistarr1 said:

yourmother , you're doing this all on your own?

But yes everything you've said I think will be appreciated

Yes! I really love all of the staff at this school. It’s a Title 1 school and these teachers bust their butts for a great experience for our kids. I don’t think they’ll get many gifts, so I wanted to show my DH’s and my appreciation for them. And I was thinking that if I went overboard on the snacks, hopefully they’ll pass them on to kids who may need them more.

I taught at a Title 1 school where we didn't really get recognition except from our admin. We would have talked about how awesome it was the time a family stocked the lounge for us FOR YEARS. This is really so incredibly nice of you.

[yourmother]

Apr 10, 2023 15:09:16 GMT -5 redheadk said:

Apr 10, 2023 14:34:32 GMT -5 yourmother said:

Yes! I really love all of the staff at this school. It’s a Title 1 school and these teachers bust their butts for a great experience for our kids. I don’t think they’ll get many gifts, so I wanted to show my DH’s and my appreciation for them. And I was thinking that if I went overboard on the snacks, hopefully they’ll pass them on to kids who may need them more.

I taught at a Title 1 school where we didn't really get recognition except from our admin. We would have talked about how awesome it was the time a family stocked the lounge for us FOR YEARS. This is really so incredibly nice of you.

This makes me feel great, thank you! My kid is like a celebrity at this school, all the students in all grades and teachers know him and are very nice to him. He gets so much attention because he’s small in stature and is very quirky and says really funny things without trying to be funny. They all fawn over him and my heart is always so full when I visit the school. So many teachers come up to me to tell me how awesome my kid is. 

He started when he was 3.5 because of his ASD diagnosis and it was a scary time for us with all the unknowns. The staff really took care of him and by 1 week or two, we were already seeing progress.  Their help really pulled us out of a hole of depression.

So anytime we (my husband and I) can swing sending extra school supplies or headphones, or whatever, we make it happen. We know how privileged we are and give what we can to help our our teachers.  We also have an agreement with the principal that if any kid in any grade can’t afford to attend field trips, we will gladly sponsor as many kids as possible.