Gift card amount for private music teacher?

[Anonymous]

My son is in 8th and this is our first year with private music lessons. How much is a reasonable amount for a gift card? to what store? Lessons are about $80 a week and I’m leaning toward Amazon. Teacher is a young man if that matters.

[Anonymous]

I would say $200. They have a close relationship based on their weekly lesson together. Plus a nice card, maybe homemade.

[Anonymous]

$50 to Amazon. You are paying them fairly.

[Anonymous]

Nothing? Christmas gifts are for children maybe immediate family

[Anonymous]

The amount of one class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing? Christmas gifts are for children maybe immediate family

Hi Ebenezer.

[Anonymous]

When I took lessons, I would give the cost of a lesson plus a small gift (think chocolate musical instrument), rounded up, either as cash, Amazon gift card, or a gift card to a music store. So in this case, I’d probably give $100.

[Anonymous]

$100 tops if they're really good.

[Anonymous]

I think it also depends on how long your kid has been taking lessons. I know you said "this year" but if he started last January I think you might want to give more than if "this year" means he started in September.

[Anonymous]

Don’t do a gift card, please give cash!

[Anonymous]

Why do you give them a giftcard? Aren’t you already paying a lot of money for a lesson? I pay $60 for 30 minutes, that hourly rate is a lot more than I get at my job. I feel like this tipping is too much. Why not just give them a holiday card and bake them a treat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you give them a giftcard? Aren’t you already paying a lot of money for a lesson? I pay $60 for 30 minutes, that hourly rate is a lot more than I get at my job. I feel like this tipping is too much. Why not just give them a holiday card and bake them a treat?

This! Why do we assume gathered gift go this direction? Is teacher contemplating what to give your kid. They own a small business owner. I’d use their business as a “gift”. Or pay them even when you cancel. Or pay them more per lesson if you think you’re not paying them enough and feeling generous. That is more meaningful to them. $100 a year/$2 a week is not even gas money. I think cash is insulting.

I’d give thoughtful gift… maybe a pen or a heartfelt card. The retired 70yo who taught my son at the time gave him a small plastic bust of Bach/Mozart and a music themed notebook to log his practices 2 of the years she taught him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The amount of one class

This is what we do. A card a a Visa cash card for about the same as one lesson.

[Anonymous]

Sigh. No gifts.

There are people on this board who will excoriate you for not giving gifts cards for all the teachers, tutors, therapists, instructors, coaches, and service people in your life.

The truth is, that's not how you build a healthy and respectful relationship. When you (or your kids) are respectful of their expertise and time, and don't cause trouble, 365 days of the year, that is the gift in the relationship. The person who is already hired and paid (by you, or a public or private entity) will respect you just fine if you respect them all year. A gift card won't change that. And for the rare person who expects a gift and thinks less of you for not handing one over... that's not a person you want to encourage.

- parent of a college freshman and middle schooler with lots of experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Sigh. No gifts.

There are people on this board who will excoriate you for not giving gifts cards for all the teachers, tutors, therapists, instructors, coaches, and service people in your life.

The truth is, that's not how you build a healthy and respectful relationship. When you (or your kids) are respectful of their expertise and time, and don't cause trouble, 365 days of the year, that is the gift in the relationship. The person who is already hired and paid (by you, or a public or private entity) will respect you just fine if you respect them all year. A gift card won't change that. And for the rare person who expects a gift and thinks less of you for not handing one over... that's not a person you want to encourage.

- parent of a college freshman and middle schooler with lots of experience.

A gift isn't given to buy respect. It's a nice thing, as well as appreciation for the relationship and the musical foundation they are giving. And also not required, especially if it's a financial hardship - but most families who have children taking music lessons can afford a little bit more.