Teachers: What gifts do you throw away?

[Anonymous]

I gave cash to all the teachers that teach my child - including the music, PE and arts teacher.

You cannot please everyone but this is the most convenient , appreciated and useful gift for everyone involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont drink coffee. I just leave them in the teachers room.

I'm sure THEY appreciate them.

Or, why not put thought into your child's teacher and get them something they can use and appreciate. The gift should be about the receiver, not just the giver pretending to care and give as it meets their needs. Not much of a present if they cannot use them.

But teachers here have proven they don't like much of anything.

I don't think this is limited to teachers...I'm not a teacher but like most here have said I'd rather receive an Amazon or target or visa gift card than practically anything else you could give me. Unless you know someone really, really well and actually know what they like or would use, either cash or gift cards to places that sell all types of things are the only really useful and universally liked gifts you can give, imo. I don't think teachers saying that when asked are being ungrateful, they are just being honest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont drink coffee. I just leave them in the teachers room.

I'm sure THEY appreciate them.

Or, why not put thought into your child's teacher and get them something they can use and appreciate. The gift should be about the receiver, not just the giver pretending to care and give as it meets their needs. Not much of a present if they cannot use them.

But teachers here have proven they don't like much of anything.

As I get older, I find I don't want crap small gifts and don't enjoy them. I like 1-2 nicer things and I'm happy. I don't need 100 mugs, scarves, gloves (many that don't fit), etc. that are not my taste. If you want to get a gift, why not get some extra supplies that they can actually use and a gift card.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont drink coffee. I just leave them in the teachers room.

I'm sure THEY appreciate them.

Or, why not put thought into your child's teacher and get them something they can use and appreciate. The gift should be about the receiver, not just the giver pretending to care and give as it meets their needs. Not much of a present if they cannot use them.

But teachers here have proven they don't like much of anything.

This is very passive aggressive. They all said they like gift cards. This in my view is win-win. It is easy for me and good for them. The only thing that is not good for is for the ego of those who insist on they have the better ideas.

[Anonymous]

Just give things that can be regifted...it's a win win.

[Anonymous]

Cash and a personal note in an envelope.

[Anonymous]

Thrift store shopper here.

There are aisles of Best Teacher mugs, frames, personalized desk accessories and even autographed "keepsakes" like (the now defunct) Longaberger baskets and plaques and engraved silver bowls.

Lots of tree ornaments and totes, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont drink coffee. I just leave them in the teachers room.

I'm sure THEY appreciate them.

Or, why not put thought into your child's teacher and get them something they can use and appreciate. The gift should be about the receiver, not just the giver pretending to care and give as it meets their needs. Not much of a present if they cannot use them.

"Put some thought into it" = "Just do Amazon or Target gift cards" apparently. Everyone who has mentioned a gift that sounds like they put thought into it (car supply kit, summer stuff lady, famous and delectable cookie lady) has been shot down.

I gave DD's teacher a scarf in school color (navy) and a candle and a $25 AmEx gift card. So I guess I'm both thoughtful and tacky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I dont drink coffee. I just leave them in the teachers room.

I'm sure THEY appreciate them.

Or, why not put thought into your child's teacher and get them something they can use and appreciate. The gift should be about the receiver, not just the giver pretending to care and give as it meets their needs. Not much of a present if they cannot use them.

"Put some thought into it" = "Just do Amazon or Target gift cards" apparently. Everyone who has mentioned a gift that sounds like they put thought into it (car supply kit, summer stuff lady, famous and delectable cookie lady) has been shot down.

I gave DD's teacher a scarf in school color (navy) and a candle and a $25 AmEx gift card. So I guess I'm both thoughtful and tacky.

I think it goes beyond "putting some thought into it." All of the people you mentioned, including yourself, had good intentions which are awesome. But it takes a combination of knowing someone well enough and being able to tell the difference between what you personally think is a great gift and what someone else might think is a great gift to be able to really choose something that a teacher can really make use of and enjoy.

I think in a lot of cases, most well intentioned parents really don't know their teachers well enough to select a very personal item for them. (Like, for example, that beach bag. That is more like a best friend or shop for yourself kind of thing.)

On the other hand, a scarf in school colors would be something that I would use as part of my school wardrobe as long as it wasn't wool which itches me like crazy. At our school, classes have animal names and I've received a few clothing items based on our class animal. I don't wear them IRL, but they make fun additions to my work wardrobe.

But in any case, the thought is appreciated. A sweet note from your child and/or you is even more appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I did $50 gift cards to Target + a note/card from DC for each teacher this year (just the primary ones). I will do $50 Amazon / Amex cards + note from DC at the end of the year.

Why in the world would I think that the teachers would want anything else? I appreciate knowing that they spend the money on supplies for the class or on themselves. Either way is a win/win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did $50 gift cards to Target + a note/card from DC for each teacher this year (just the primary ones). I will do $50 Amazon / Amex cards + note from DC at the end of the year.

Why in the world would I think that the teachers would want anything else? I appreciate knowing that they spend the money on supplies for the class or on themselves. Either way is a win/win.

You wouldn't it. But I think people apply the same logic they use for their family and friends on teachers. I personally wouldn't want a gift card from a loved one. But I also hope that they know me enough to give me something I really like. There is almost no chance of that happening in the 25 to 50 dollar range to get someone you don't know as well something that is universally appreciated. Hence the gift card solution. Parents, they are teachers and not your friends. Once you figure that out, you will be at peace with giving gift card.

[Anonymous]

As I get older, I want fewer things. I already have scarves, candles, mugs, pens, etc. I am already overdoing the treats at holiday time and don't want people to give me chocolates or cookies. And I'm just dealing with family and friends. Teachers have family, friends, AND 20-30 student families. Each year. That adds up to a lot of mugs and candles. The desire to give is commendable, as are the sentiments of generosity and appreciation, but I can see why teachers would prefer not to get "stuff."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Starbucks gift cards- can't go wrong!

Yes you can--I have probably $150 of them in my wallet. I hate coffee and I'm not waiting in that line for a muffin. I give them away, which is fine, but not really a gift to me.

+1, never go there.

We should get teachers nothing then. Ungrateful.

You are being difficult. It has been said over and over again gift cards to Amazon or Target. Universally appreciated. Why are so many people trying to be creative? Isn't it nice to just get the most simple and useful gift for the teachers?

I do think the Starbucks pp is a ungrateful. A Starbucks gift card had to be one of the most regifteable presents ever. If you give your kids' teacher that, than you don't have to use your own money. Unless you throw them away, you did get a gift.

I'm the Starbucks PP--OP asked, I answered, and yes, you CAN "go wrong" with a Starbucks gift card. I appreciate anything my students give me. I work at several schools, including a Title I. I've found the most thoughtful gifts come from those families. I once got a pack of gum. I know the kid was probably begging the parent for a gift to give his teacher, and she had that in her purse so that's what I got. I've also gotten small statues or trinkets that obviously were sitting in their home. I would never throw those away.

If you are genuinely asking for a "best" gift fir teachers, I was simply answering that Starbucks cards are not it, based on MY experience. I am grateful to the students who give them to me, but they are not any more useful to me than the coffee mugs everyone here apparently hates. The reason Target and Amazon have come up frequently is you can buy anything there, so the gift is fairly universal. That's not true for Starbucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom (a teacher) always said the best gift you can give a teacher is a crisp $50 bill. So I give one to the main teacher and one to the Aide with a sweet note. I feel weird and tacky doing so, but they have always liked it!

Your mom sounds tacky.

She isn't. You, however, are rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I gave cash to all the teachers that teach my child - including the music, PE and arts teacher.

You cannot please everyone but this is the most convenient , appreciated and useful gift for everyone involved.

Agree. Plus gift cards can expire or be to a place the teacher doesn't like. Not everyone shops at target (hate it!), Amazon, or Starbucks.