crap -- please tell me some of you do NOT give cash/gift card to homeroom teacher at Xmas?
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Anonymous
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"crap" because tomorrow is the last day before winter break and I have not done anything about getting gift cards or pulling $20s from the ATM as a gift for DD's homeroom teachers. NW DC private school, if this matters.
We have a little tchotchke for each one, and a hand-written note from DD, and .... that's it. We will do something end-of-year akin to a NYC $$ 'tip' for these women. But should I have divided that tip, er, present into 2 and given half at Christmas? I don't want to inadvertently send a message by not giving a gift-gift, the way that not leaving a cash tip sends a clear message to, say, a waiter. |
Anonymous
| I think a little tchotchke with a hand written note from DD is nicer than cash or a gift card. Teachers are not waitresses and do not expect a tio. |
Anonymous
| these women? |
Anonymous
Relax.... |
Anonymous
| If they are women, should they be referred to as 'these men'? These ladies? These people? These females? Those women? WTF is that nitpick even about? |
Anonymous
| Teachers do not expect a large cash "tip" at the end of the year. Really, only give them a gift if you are sincere about it. Otherwise don't bother. Give your money to the school rather than the teacher. I think the greatest gift you could give them is a little respect.... |
Anonymous
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OP here, with a family full of teachers BTW. I know they don't expect a tip, and I don't think teachers are the same as a NYC doorman that gets a year-end tip.
I just came up with a bad analogy in a hurry to try to demonstrate what I'm asking: is it bad form to not give your child's teachers a gift-gift in December IF you can afford to do so? By gift-gift, I mean something that costs more than the $1.28 I spent on ingredients for a mini banana bread. I don't want to send a bad message, by accident. |
Anonymous
| Give them a gift for XMAS or whatever holiday they celebrate. It isn't a tip. It isn't a bonus. If you know them well enough, give them an actual gift. Most parents don't know the teacher well enough so that is why they give giftcards. |
Anonymous
| Run out to Starbucks tomorrow morning and get a gift card. Who wouldn't like that? |
Anonymous
| I didn't give my son's teacher anything. |
Anonymous
| The parents in our child's class all contribute to a group gift, but I always feel that the teacher deserves more than $5/student in some gift card. Really, for what they probably get paid and what they actually do for my child, it seems so cheap. So I give an extra $50 in the form of a Starbucks card or other. I just think it shows appreciation. But if someone views it as a tip or bad form, then this tradition will cease immediately. |
Anonymous
| Always give gift card to each of my children's teachers. |
Anonymous
| I am a teacher, making WAY less money than I would in public school, and I go ridiculously above and beyond for my students. Parents express their sincere gratitude to me regularly, and I definitely appreciate it. I also appreciate Christmas gift cards. |
Anonymous
| I gave each of my kids teachers $100 gift cards. It was expensive since I gave to 5 teachers but another 4 teachers that I gave 25 a piece to for being the extra ie science teacher, music teacher etc. It was expensive but I don't think they make a lot and we do so I would give more to make up for all the parents who didn't. My childhood friend is a teacher and said said I should give gift cards if I can--they all add up. She says she doesn't expect anything but it's surprises her how the families with the least seem to always give something and some of the wealthiest..a little stingy. No matter what though..no extra points for your kids..do it because it's nice as she said teachers generally focus on the kids completely despite generous or not generous parents. |
Anonymous
Should she have said "these hos?" What word could be more respectful than women? |