How much is too little for EOY gifts?

[Anonymous]

I'm being bombarded with emails to Venmo people for end of year gifts...for elementary teachers, soccer coaches, baseball, etc. I feel like it's a lot. Will people tag me as cheap if I Venmo $5 for each one? Trying to get a reality check as to how much people give.

[Anonymous]

If you really can't afford it, then $5 is fine. But for a volunteer soccer/baseball coach, who made it possible for your child to play for the season at a lower cost, I'd give at least $20 each.

If you are contributing to an elementary school teacher class gift, it depends on whether you contributed to a class fund at the beginning of the year. If so, they shouldn't be asking for any more money. If not, and you didn't give a holiday gift or teacher appreciation gift, I would give at least $10. If you have already given some combination of those things, $5 at the end of the year is fine.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they will tag you as cheap. It's really a question do you care about being labeled?

We did:
3rd Grade Teacher $25
Cello Teacher $25
Bus Driver $20

[Anonymous]

I would not think you were cheap! But I do, personally, think not everyone should get the same amount. I give more to the teachers who see my kids 5x per day for 9 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they will tag you as cheap. It's really a question do you care about being labeled?

We did:
3rd Grade Teacher $25
Cello Teacher $25
Bus Driver $20

Will $10 dollars be okay, sorry single mom my income is 50k

[Anonymous]

For group gifts, on a limited income, yes $5 is fine.

I would not give a $5 gift card to someone as an individual gift, though.

[Anonymous]

Will $10 dollars be okay, sorry single mom my income is 50k

Yes. Please know that $0 dollars is OK too. Gifts are not required, esp when the teacher is making more than you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they will tag you as cheap. It's really a question do you care about being labeled?

We did:
3rd Grade Teacher $25
Cello Teacher $25
Bus Driver $20

Will $10 dollars be okay, sorry single mom my income is 50k

You can also decline. Most people on here have WAAAYY more money, so it’s a different calculus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they will tag you as cheap. It's really a question do you care about being labeled?

We did:
3rd Grade Teacher $25
Cello Teacher $25
Bus Driver $20

Will $10 dollars be okay, sorry single mom my income is 50k

PP, no teacher wants you to spend money you don’t have! I work in an elementary school and my very, very favorite gifts are notes and pictures from students.

[Anonymous]

$10 is plenty in your case. I am in a different tax bracket and contribute a lot, and part of the reason is to make up for people who can't afford to. It's the same reason I donate double the school supplies - so no kid is going without a notebook or crayons bc their parents couldn't afford to contribute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they will tag you as cheap. It's really a question do you care about being labeled?

We did:
3rd Grade Teacher $25
Cello Teacher $25
Bus Driver $20

Will $10 dollars be okay, sorry single mom my income is 50k

Don’t give anything! Write a nice email. I’m a teacher and have posted this before. I never remember the gift cards over the years. I remember the kind words forever. I can remember a particular email, a note a student wrote ok the back of a final exam, a card, even a store bought packaged Valentine’s Day card that the kid personalized. Those mean so much more.

[Anonymous]

Five dollars is perfect!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they will tag you as cheap. It's really a question do you care about being labeled?

We did:
3rd Grade Teacher $25
Cello Teacher $25
Bus Driver $20

Will $10 dollars be okay, sorry single mom my income is 50k

OP, just tell the ones who are collecting that you are giving your own gift. Have your child make a card and write something for the teacher and let him give that. That is more than enough when your income is limited. Teachers cherish the notes more than these gifts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they will tag you as cheap. It's really a question do you care about being labeled?

We did:
3rd Grade Teacher $25
Cello Teacher $25
Bus Driver $20

Will $10 dollars be okay, sorry single mom my income is 50k

If that’s what you can afford, then yes. If anyone judges you, screw them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they will tag you as cheap. It's really a question do you care about being labeled?

We did:
3rd Grade Teacher $25
Cello Teacher $25
Bus Driver $20

Will $10 dollars be okay, sorry single mom my income is 50k

OP, just tell the ones who are collecting that you are giving your own gift. Have your child make a card and write something for the teacher and let him give that. That is more than enough when your income is limited. Teachers cherish the notes more than these gifts.

+1

Don’t feel pressure. Honestly I have a high HHI but I often miss the deadline to contribute to group gifts so then we do individual. I don’t feel great about this but a friend of mine who was the one getting the funds said not to worry, lots of people don’t contribute. You won’t be the only one, and only a terrible person wound judge a single mom who didn’t contribute.