Teachers: What gifts do you throw away?

[Anonymous]

i throw away pretty much everything besides personal cards or notes from students and gift cards. For stuff like knick knacks, candles, mugs, paperweights...I usually keep them around my desk at school until the end of the year then throw them out. For homemade food or other perishable items (I always get at least one of those cookie mix or soup mix things in a Mason jar), I either put them in the teacher's lounge for other teachers to take if they want or I throw it away. Even store bought food I don't keep. It too goes to the teacher's lounge or maybe I'll bring it home to my husband and kids if it looks really yummy.

I always, always appreciate the thought that students and parents put into their gifts but really, I do not want gifts unless it is a personal note or a gift card.

[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.)

Have hi, make it for grandma or you or a family member.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom taught for 40 years and still has decorative soaps and lotions in her bathroom that I remember were student gifts when I was a kid. Lol. I stick to gift cards and personal notes.

+1

My mom was a principal, so she ended up getting gifts from parents AND teachers. She would go through it, toss all of the food (sorry) except for a select few things. All of the scarves were put into her re-gift closet, and the mugs (she doesn't drink coffee) went to charity. At one point, she had a basket of hand lotion that would last for decades.

Just buy a gift card if you have to purchase something and NO FOOD. Otherwise, a nice note is FINE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I am a room parent, we go in as a class and get a full car detail and put the envelope in a nice car tote with car scent sticks, baby wipes, mints, hand lotion, chapstick, mini first aid kit, individual tissue packs, gloved ice scraper, pens, mini notebook, and de-icer. Always a huge hit. It is personal and very much needed during the winter months going to and from school.

This seems like a great idea, especially given this area's traffic and icy winter weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So teachers, what would you like? We are in MCPS where you are not supposed to exceed $20. I usually do a gift card, but $20 doesn't go so far a lot of places!

Seriously, they appreciate the 20 dollar gift cards more than any trinket. Don't think too much. Just accept this.

+1

Everyone goes to Target.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My high school kids each have 7 teachers. I ordered each teacher a $10 Chipotle gift card. Not certain that they'll all love Chipotle, but there is one near the school and I figure a lunch on us might be a good gift.

+100

[Anonymous]

My son's teachers are getting personalized notes, the large jar Yankee Candles in Blue Summer Sky, and Bath Bombs. I want them to enjoy winter break and dream of summer time. They work so hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My high school kids each have 7 teachers. I ordered each teacher a $10 Chipotle gift card. Not certain that they'll all love Chipotle, but there is one near the school and I figure a lunch on us might be a good gift.

+100

No, we don't like its spicy food. Your gift card is wasted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My high school kids each have 7 teachers. I ordered each teacher a $10 Chipotle gift card. Not certain that they'll all love Chipotle, but there is one near the school and I figure a lunch on us might be a good gift.

+100

No, we don't like its spicy food. Your gift card is wasted.

Their food isn't all spicy. You can just get a salad or something simple. You sound nuts and I'm an extremely picky eater.

[Anonymous]

Oh wow! What a great idea. As a teacher I would be beyond thrilled to get this.

Anonymous wrote:If I am a room parent, we go in as a class and get a full car detail and put the envelope in a nice car tote with car scent sticks, baby wipes, mints, hand lotion, chapstick, mini first aid kit, individual tissue packs, gloved ice scraper, pens, mini notebook, and de-icer. Always a huge hit. It is personal and very much needed during the winter months going to and from school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you think about hand lotion? This is my go-to gift. Teachers wash their hands so much and the winter is especially drying. I do GCs at the end of the year--don't want to do the same thing twice.

Teacher here. I like hand lotions but can't be anything with almond oil or other nut oils because of allergies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My high school kids each have 7 teachers. I ordered each teacher a $10 Chipotle gift card. Not certain that they'll all love Chipotle, but there is one near the school and I figure a lunch on us might be a good gift.

+100

No, we don't like its spicy food. Your gift card is wasted.

Their food isn't all spicy. You can just get a salad or something simple. You sound nuts and I'm an extremely picky eater.

So give it to a friend or a student or spend it on a beverage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My high school kids each have 7 teachers. I ordered each teacher a $10 Chipotle gift card. Not certain that they'll all love Chipotle, but there is one near the school and I figure a lunch on us might be a good gift.

+100

No, we don't like its spicy food. Your gift card is wasted.

Their food isn't all spicy. You can just get a salad or something simple. You sound nuts and I'm an extremely picky eater.

So give it to a friend or a student or spend it on a beverage.

+1 even if you don't like Chipotle I think gift cards are much better bc at least you can give it to someone without burdening them with crap they don't want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So teachers, what would you like? We are in MCPS where you are not supposed to exceed $20. I usually do a gift card, but $20 doesn't go so far a lot of places!

Seriously, they appreciate the 20 dollar gift cards more than any trinket. Don't think too much. Just accept this.

+1

Everyone goes to Target.

It goes far if you have 10 of them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I am a room parent, we go in as a class and get a full car detail and put the envelope in a nice car tote with car scent sticks, baby wipes, mints, hand lotion, chapstick, mini first aid kit, individual tissue packs, gloved ice scraper, pens, mini notebook, and de-icer. Always a huge hit. It is personal and very much needed during the winter months going to and from school.

This seems like a great idea, especially given this area's traffic and icy winter weather.

Interesting, because that post made me regret giving to the class gift.