Holiday gifts for recommendation letter writers, essay readers, etc

[Anonymous]

I’m a high school teacher who write recommendations.

We appreciate gift cards, but it’s really the note that is special.

We write many recommendations, but rarely receive any acknowledgment. For every 30 I write, I may receive one note from a student. Most don’t acknowledge the effort at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son just got accepted to his 1st choice school. He is writing a thank you note and giving a school pen to each of his recommenders.

No one wants a school pen.

I saw a recommendation on here several years ago to write a note, give a $20-$25 gift card, and a pen from the school my DC would be attending. That's what we did, and DC felt good about it. The pen is a cute touch, and teachers need/use pens. I now work in a high school, and my colleagues view it as a thoughtful addition to the thank you and reminder of the student.

It is not a wanted gift. It’s like giving a mug to an elementary school kid teacher. Meaningless and unwanted. I’ve never had a HS teacher ask for pens as a needed school supply. Tissues, index cards, highlighters, etc - those things have been requested by HS teachers. Your colleagues were being polite, nothing more.

It would be thrown in my cup and lost at some point or donated when I had too many. I’m just posting this so someone else doesn’t waste money on an unwanted gift.

I do know you were being thoughtful.

- former teacher

[Anonymous]

We're thinking a handwritten note and a $150 gift card. Now sure of the best gift card to give/receive.