Teachers: What gifts do you throw away?

[Anonymous]

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, I do not think any teacher is going to report a parent who gives them a gift card for more than the "allowable" MCPS $20!
Give what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is cash in an Asian money envelope acceptable?

Will you feel offended if a parent gifts you a modest amount (say $15 -%20) in a gift envelope?

When my kids were little, the class used to pool money together and buy the teacher a AMX gift card.

[Anonymous]

I have already contributed to the class gift card but am currently in South Africa and found some cutely packaged salt from the kalahari desert that I was thinking about getting for the teachers along with a thank you note.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Seems like a nice idea, but how do you know they like that scent of candle? I'm pretty picky with my scents and I end up hating 90% of the candles given to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Oh god, same. Just give a visa gift card! No one wants your Pinterest idea!!

[Anonymous]

So teachers, what did you toss this year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I give a donation in the teacher's name to UNICEF.

Tacky

Tacky, esp since gift giver gets the tax write off for the donation.

[Anonymous]

We always give Target gift cards and the teachers seem to appreciate those. Target near the school sells groceries in addition to all the other stuff. Some years are leaner than others and we give anywhere between $20-$30. This year is very lean so we are going with $20. We also contribute $20 at the beginning of the year for the class gift, coordinated by the room parents.

[Anonymous]

I throw away body lotions and hand lotions. Well, I don't throw them away - I give them away to takers or a thrift shop. Also jewelry, accessories such as scarves, mugs, and decorative items. And chocolates. I appreciate the thought but just don't want these things. Gift cards I do keep.

[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.

I'm pretty sure you're not a teacher and are just being an ass. On the very small chance you are a teacher, surely you have a child, spouse, or friend who would enjoy lunch at Chipotle.

--teacher's wife.

[Anonymous]

I think cash is best, along with a handwritten note.

[Anonymous]

I get tons and tons of chocolates, I regift them or add them into other packages. I throw away baked goods or put them in the teachers lounge... Love gift cards, have 90234 mugs and don't want more.

Truly, sweet notes from the kids/parents are the best, second to gift cards

[Anonymous]

So NO candy at all? I was going Tom include a 2-pack Ghirardelli chocolate with the $20 gift card. Should I just keep it to enjoy myself?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No ornaments or mugs.

Really? All my in-laws – SIL, FIL, MIL - are/were teachers and they love ornaments. I should clarify they don't want homemade ones but the ones that say "I love my teacher" or something like that. They have had some of those on their tree for 40 years from kids back in the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So teachers, what did you toss this year?

The Book of Mormon.