Teachers (or anyone really) Christmas gifts?

[hellonurse]

What would you like to receive from your students for Christmas? Can I get away with just a Starbucks GC, and if so what amount? Or do you prefer homemade gifts or something else entirely? I just worry that my children's teachers will end up with 15 Starbucks GCs.

Thanks in advance!

[shell403b]

Target (or any large Target-esque store).

ETA: I'd be over the moon to end up with 15 Target cards, even if they're all $5, LOL!

[Redpoppy]

We give Target or Walmart (only because Walmart is closer and I know some of his daycare teachers prefer shopping there). I figure they can use it on a need or a want. I usually throw in a $10 gift certificate to the pizza place across the street from daycare as well so they can get a sandwich, salad, or something for lunch one day. I'll probably give smaller amounts once he hits school age.

[grover]

I'd personally prefer Walmart/Target/bookstore so I can stock up on school supplies for the classroom. I usually land up regifting Starbucks giftcards.

[Deleted]

I've gotten Target, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Macy's and just plain old Visa gift cards or checks. All are fabulous!

I teach 7-12th grades so it's very rare that we get any gifts at all, but I had one student almost every year he was enrolled in the school and every year his parents sent a different gift card or a check to each of his teachers. Another family gave me a cute clutch purse with a gift card inside.

I even got a strand of pearls once. I'm pretty sure this was a bribe for a good letter of recommendation, haha.

[hellonurse]

Nov 8, 2012 19:40:08 GMT -5 suzubell said:

I don't ever eat homemade gifts. You just don't know about the kitchen conditions. GCs all the way!

Yeah, totally understandable!

[SusanBAnthony]

A our old daycare, it was next to a Starbucks and they went there all the time, so I knew that was very safe. I gave 10-20 depending on how well I knew the teacher.

I think Starbucks is generally fine, but target is better, as pp's have said. Just not the stupid cutesy teacher ornaments and coffee mugs and shit!

[wanderlustmom]

This is a good post, I guess the reason I have hesitated with Target is that I worry they will just add it to their grocery budget and not treat themselves BUT I think from reading this is that it encompasses what they want and I could add something small (like Godiva chocolates).

[cricketwife]

I don't drink coffee or tea and have had a million starbucks giftcards over the years. And yet I'd STILL prefer a $5 starbucks gc to anything homemade. (The only exception is a heartfelt thank you written by the child.) Honestly, a $5 gc is more appreciated than any kind of stuff. I find Target/Walmart to be teacher favorites. I also think bookstore gcs are nice for teachers.

Whatever you decide, please no ornaments, no mugs, no crappy candy (Godiva is acceptabled ) no hand lotions/soaps.

[starshine1977]

On behalf of all teachers, please don't do Starbucks GCs. Not everyone drinks coffee (or tea). I personally love Target GCs to get something for my classroom or restaurant GCs so I can have a meal out.

[hippygirl]

I love receiving Starbucks giftcards. I also like hand written notes. School supplies are great too.

[hellonurse]

Thanks for all the ideas! I think I will go with Target GC's and maybe a small sweet treat.

[gt7301b]

My DH is a teacher and I love it when he gets Starbucks GCs because he shares with me.

[whitemerlot]

Anything is nice and appreciated! I loved a note from the parent or child the most. I would pick Target if I had a top choice for gift cards.

[Doggy Mommy]

I LOVE getting Starbucks gift cards! I load them all up on the app on my phone so I don't have to keep track of them. But my students know that I love Starbucks. If you don't know that the teacher likes Starbucks, then go for a more generic gift card like Target. Restaurant gift cards are great too. I think the biggest thing is to get her something that SHE will enjoy for herself (not a gift card to get something "for the classroom" - which really is just a gift for your own kid). I kind of agree that Target cards end up going toward groceries and toilet paper. You could have your kid ask what she likes.

As for the amount, whatever you are comfortable with is fine. I'd rather have a $5 Starbucks card than an equivalent mug-type item that costs $5. I've gotten everything from a sweet homemade card to $100 Visa or mall gift cards.

[Pilsy]

How do you all decide how much to spend? Do any of the teachers out there ever feel uncomfortable upon receiving large gifts from students?

I can't help but think I would feel a little weird if I were a teacher and one of my students spent $100 on me!

Also, I don't have kids, but if I did, I think I would side-eye another parent for spending that much.

[80sjunkie]

Nov 8, 2012 19:40:08 GMT -5 suzubell said:

I don't ever eat homemade gifts. You just don't know about the kitchen conditions. GCs all the way!

I think this is pretty common for teachers so OP I would steer clear.

[regencygirl]

Last year I got DS's teacher a box of godiva and a Barnes and Noble gift card for Christmas. As an end of the year present, DS made her a card, and he picked out a change purse that we put a gift card to a local restaurant in.

I teach high school, so I almost never get anything from my kids. I'd be happy to get a #1 Teacher coffee mug with crappy candy. I've kept everything my kids ever gave me and I put it all up in my classroom each year.

[hellonurse]

Nov 8, 2012 21:09:28 GMT -5 80sjunkie said:

Nov 8, 2012 19:40:08 GMT -5 suzubell said:

I don't ever eat homemade gifts. You just don't know about the kitchen conditions. GCs all the way!

I think this is pretty common for teachers so OP I would steer clear.

Absolutely will do! I'll stick to Godiva, apparently.

[macmars45]

Nov 8, 2012 19:43:44 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

A our old daycare, it was next to a Starbucks and they went there all the time, so I knew that was very safe. I gave 10-20 depending on how well I knew the teacher.

I think Starbucks is generally fine, but target is better, as pp's have said. Just not the stupid cutesy teacher ornaments and coffee mugs and shit!

My mom is a retired kinder teacher. She had/has boxes of teacher coffee mugs and ornaments.
Chocolate is yummy and gift cards are great.

[MrsManners]

I bougt ds's two teachers $100 gift cards to amazon. I figure everyone can find something they want at amazon.

[MrsManners]

Nov 8, 2012 21:07:23 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

How do you all decide how much to spend? Do any of the teachers out there ever feel uncomfortable upon receiving large gifts from students?

I can't help but think I would feel a little weird if I were a teacher and one of my students spent $100 on me!

Also, I don't have kids, but if I did, I think I would side-eye another parent for spending that much.

I always spend that much. Ds is in preschool so there's no limit on the amount they can accept (I know some public schools have limits). His teachers are with him more waking hours each day than I am. They are really critical people in his life IMO. When we had a nanny, we gave her a full week pay plus the paid week off, so $200 total seems like a bargain for teacher gifts to me. No other parent has ever known how much I've given them...it's not like they sit around in a circle and open their presents from the kids.

[Deleted]

Gift cards to target or amazon.

[Deleted]

I'm getting gift cards for all the teachers. DS2 sees every freaking specialist at the school (or so it seems) so my sister makes really beautiful christmas ornaments and I've ordered a bunch from her to give his speech, OT, math coach, etc teachers along with a little gift card of $10 to target. His main teacher and classroom aide will get $50 target cards.

[gt7301b]

Nov 8, 2012 21:07:23 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

How do you all decide how much to spend? Do any of the teachers out there ever feel uncomfortable upon receiving large gifts from students?

I can't help but think I would feel a little weird if I were a teacher and one of my students spent $100 on me!

Also, I don't have kids, but if I did, I think I would side-eye another parent for spending that much.

It is pretty common in my DH's school. He teaches in a district where the families are really well off.

[RoxMonster]

I teach HS so rarely get gifts but when I do, I love the Starbucks gift cards (of course, I love Sbucks!) I also enjoy Nook or B&N GCs and GCs to target or Office Max.

[Deleted]

Nov 9, 2012 7:28:28 GMT -5 RoxMonster said:

I teach HS so rarely get gifts but when I do, I love the Starbucks gift cards (of course, I love Sbucks!) I also enjoy Nook or B&N GCs and GCs to target or Office Max.

HS teachers get the shaft.. The teachers in my kids' elementary school rake it in. DS1's class last year got his teacher gift certificates to all her favorite restuarants (large enough so the whole family could eat out) plus a bunch of other stuff (like a tiffany necklace) with the class money that we donated at the beginning of the year, plus most of the parents got her individual gift cards to target, banana republic etc

[otowngirl]

Nov 8, 2012 20:51:09 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

My DH is a teacher and I love it when he gets Starbucks GCs because he shares with me.

My mom is one, too; I also love it.

[sugarbear]

I do get a lot of Sbux gift cards, but we use them, so I don't complain.
I also really appreciate Target gift cards and gift cards to the local mall.

Recently, I've gotten some gift cards to the local movie theater, which I tend to re-gift.

In general, a nice card is the best part. And please, please, no home-baked goods.

[cookies]

Out of curiosity, would you rather receive a gift card to Target or cash? We gave our son's daycare teachers cash last year, but I worried it might be weird or uncomfortable for them.