Teachers: What gifts do you throw away?

[Anonymous]

Haven't seen much mention of handmade gifts, other than food. What about a tote bag sewn by the student (with parental help)? DS has expressed a lot of interest in sewing recently (probably because he sees me make a lot) and I think he'd have fun with this. (1st grade.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[
I'm not sure tacky is the right word. Maybe presumptuous? I do not think it's okay to donate money in someone else's name unless you know for certain it's a cause that person would support.

Tacky is the parent giving teachers envelopes of cash.

That is your view. Some teachers on this thread said cash gifts are ok. Also, you do not seem to be very culturally aware. In some cultures giving money is acceptable.

Of course it is my view that is what an opinion is isn't it? That poster asked for our opinions on giving cash as a gift.

As for culture in my culture it is offensive to give cash as a gift especially to people in positions of respect or authority as a teacher.

So entitled. This is why we don't get teachers gifts. They are already getting a paycheck. No need to accidentally offend.

No teacher in this country would be offended by a cash gift, as almost every teacher is forced to spend their own hard-earned money on supplies for the classroom. To the PP above, teachers in this country are not respected at all, so no need to worry about offense there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought a $25 gift card was customary?

Hello? $20 is limit in our school system and I'm sticking to it. Plus there is a classroom donation of $100 used from funds solicited from each parent at beginning of year for such.

$20 per person. Not per family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't seen much mention of handmade gifts, other than food. What about a tote bag sewn by the student (with parental help)? DS has expressed a lot of interest in sewing recently (probably because he sees me make a lot) and I think he'd have fun with this. (1st grade.)

They would appreciate your sons effort and think it was adorable he worked so hard on it for them. They would truly be touched. They would also never use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't seen much mention of handmade gifts, other than food. What about a tote bag sewn by the student (with parental help)? DS has expressed a lot of interest in sewing recently (probably because he sees me make a lot) and I think he'd have fun with this. (1st grade.)

They would appreciate your sons effort and think it was adorable he worked so hard on it for them. They would truly be touched. They would also never use it.

It really depends on the quality of the finished product. A parent make find something your kid made endearing. For the teacher to use it, it has to be professional quality.

[Anonymous]

I throw away:

homemade food. I once found a long hair in a brownie, and have had a "thing" about homemade food gifts ever since.

religious texts (I don't teach at a parochial school and I'm not interested in being converted, or learning about your religion).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't seen much mention of handmade gifts, other than food. What about a tote bag sewn by the student (with parental help)? DS has expressed a lot of interest in sewing recently (probably because he sees me make a lot) and I think he'd have fun with this. (1st grade.)

Garbage.

[Anonymous]

Some teachers don't like using stuff a kid made esp. with names or drawings on it because it can look like favoritism...why is teacher using his mug and not mine during class, why is teacher using something with Johnny ' s name on it, etc.

[Anonymous]

Just give gift cards, everyone I mean everyone loves them. It is the safest, easiest, and most welcome of all gifts at the 25 dollar range.

[Anonymous]

I sew. What about a cute little zip pouch? I find most people usually have some use for a zip pouch or fabric basket...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sew. What about a cute little zip pouch? I find most people usually have some use for a zip pouch or fabric basket...

I'm really not trying to be rude because the gesture and handmade aspect is very sweet. But no. I do not want a random fabric pouch. The problem with getting "stuff" is people tend to have very specific tastes about their "stuff" and also have to store it. So mugs you don't want, lotion in scents you don't like, fabric pouches and other sewn bags is at best going to sit unused and at worst be actually tossed or donated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haven't seen much mention of handmade gifts, other than food. What about a tote bag sewn by the student (with parental help)? DS has expressed a lot of interest in sewing recently (probably because he sees me make a lot) and I think he'd have fun with this. (1st grade.)

Do you see how this gift is more about you, your pride in your son etc than about the recipient?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always do Barnes and Nobels gift cards. The teachers can either spend it on books for themselves or books for their classroom.

I also include a beautifully wrapped bag of 6 of my delectable and famous cookies. They are very, very good and anyone who tries even a nibble ends up eating the entire bag in one sitting. I know that the teachers like them because they ask my kids about them the following year, will approach me and ask for the recipe, etc. One teacher even told my kid not getting my cookies anymore was one of the saddest things for her when he told her we were moving, lol.

I think if you give home baked goods, they need to be fresh (made the night before, not last weekend), taste very good (not meh, good enough) and be presented in a professional and attractive way so they look like they were prepared in a clean kitchen by someone who washed their hands.

OMG you are annoying. You just called your own baked goods delectable and famous.

I didn't find this post annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't seen much mention of handmade gifts, other than food. What about a tote bag sewn by the student (with parental help)? DS has expressed a lot of interest in sewing recently (probably because he sees me make a lot) and I think he'd have fun with this. (1st grade.)

Do you see how this gift is more about you, your pride in your son etc than about the recipient?

Yes this is the worst when people do this. I have a relative who loves to quilt. She gives quilts to everyone. She's very proud of them and works very hard on them, but most people like to pick their own bedding. It's a gift she likes to do not something for the recipient. Same with donations to charities that you like in someone else's name unless you know they also support the charity.

[Anonymous]

I echo the others who do a gift card. I usually do Target.