Holiday Gifts for Teachers

[Anonymous]

MS child, in 7th grade: Select teachers (usually 3 or so out of the 7 she has) get homemade item or baked good from DD and $25 gift card. End of the year: We write a thank you note and give a $25 gift card. DD does some sleuthing to find out what the teachers like so it is not a generic gift. We do this for teachers who go above and beyond or are exceptional. Parent Association gives gifts to all professional staff before winter break, end-of-year, plus does things during Teacher Appreciation Week.

When DD was in elementary school, a collection was taken. We usually gave $50 or so toward the collection.

[Anonymous]

Teacher here!
Feel free to show your appreciation during the holidays! And no, we don’t give preferential treatment to children based on presents from families. It’s just nice to feel appreciated every once in a while.

[Anonymous]

Are we supposed to give to HoS or admin?

[Anonymous]

I always give gift cards or a gift basket filled with items.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're doing our own thing (MS and HS) for certain teachers and administrators. I realllllly just want to give cash. I will probably give gift cards, but why can't we all embrace cash. I have a (terrible, looming) drawer of gift cards that I don't use. I hate gift cards.

I think cash is fine, why not? Personally I think Target and Amazon gift cards are the easiest for most recipients to actually use, but that may be from my personal shopping habits.

[Anonymous]

Wine and gift cards. Catholic K-8.

[Anonymous]

Some high schools don't allow individual gifts because teachers write the college LORs, and they prefer to maintain the appearance of impartiality, so school-wide donated gift only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wine and gift cards. Catholic K-8.

Please don't give alcohol. Many people are in recovery or just choose not to drink. Yes, I can re-gift but it then is no longer a gift of appreciation.

[Anonymous]

Oh, sweet summer child, welcome to the world of private school gifting, where no gift is too extravagant, and anything less than perfection is basically an insult. Yes, gift cards are nice, but they must be presented in a handcrafted card made of imported paper, ideally with a heartfelt note written in calligraphy.
Remember, in private school, this isn’t just about gratitude; it’s a competitive sport. The goal is to subtly outdo every other parent while pretending you didn’t even try. Good luck, and may your AmEx never decline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, sweet summer child, welcome to the world of private school gifting, where no gift is too extravagant, and anything less than perfection is basically an insult. Yes, gift cards are nice, but they must be presented in a handcrafted card made of imported paper, ideally with a heartfelt note written in calligraphy.
Remember, in private school, this isn’t just about gratitude; it’s a competitive sport. The goal is to subtly outdo every other parent while pretending you didn’t even try. Good luck, and may your AmEx never decline.

This has never reflected our experience in 14 years of private school with our child. But if that’s how you like to roll, enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, sweet summer child, welcome to the world of private school gifting, where no gift is too extravagant, and anything less than perfection is basically an insult. Yes, gift cards are nice, but they must be presented in a handcrafted card made of imported paper, ideally with a heartfelt note written in calligraphy.
Remember, in private school, this isn’t just about gratitude; it’s a competitive sport. The goal is to subtly outdo every other parent while pretending you didn’t even try. Good luck, and may your AmEx never decline.

This has never reflected our experience in 14 years of private school with our child. But if that’s how you like to roll, enjoy.

Ah, yes, 14 years of private school. Thank goodness you mentioned it! I’m sure everyone reading this was on the edge of their seats, just dying to know exactly how long you’ve been in the elite private school club. Fourteen years is truly the perfect amount of time to let everyone know you’ve been paying private school tuition without sounding too nouveau riche or suspiciously old money.

It’s honestly inspiring that you’ve been sitting on this golden nugget of information, waiting for just the right moment to drop it in a teacher gift thread. Bravo. Your restraint is admirable, and your 14 years of gifting expertise will surely guide us sweet summer children to greatness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, sweet summer child, welcome to the world of private school gifting, where no gift is too extravagant, and anything less than perfection is basically an insult. Yes, gift cards are nice, but they must be presented in a handcrafted card made of imported paper, ideally with a heartfelt note written in calligraphy.
Remember, in private school, this isn’t just about gratitude; it’s a competitive sport. The goal is to subtly outdo every other parent while pretending you didn’t even try. Good luck, and may your AmEx never decline.

This has never reflected our experience in 14 years of private school with our child. But if that’s how you like to roll, enjoy.

I'm another parent with a long running time in private schools. To the 14-year veteran—thank you for your insightful perspective. I’m sure those 14 years have been perfectly sufficient to allow you to completely miss the underlying social warfare that goes on behind the scenes. Honestly, I admire your innocence, but I’m afraid you’re living in a dreamland where giving a teacher a simple gift is still a thing.

In conclusion, welcome to private school, where if your kid doesn’t come home with a gourmet gift basket from a boutique store in Paris, they might as well be carrying a sign that says “My parents don’t love me.”

[Anonymous]

Yes, I’m so sure both the previous responses to the 14-year comment are from two entirely separate people. 🙄

[Anonymous]

We give wine. Just like anything else we might give, if it doesn’t work for the recipient they’re free to regift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We give wine. Just like anything else we might give, if it doesn’t work for the recipient they’re free to regift.

I hope it's local if it's less than $75 a bottle.