Question for present or former teachers re teacher gifts

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher but not a homeroom teacher so I don't get any gifts. I'd love whatever. I gave my son's teacher a Barnes and Noble giftcard b/c I know she likes to read. But I agree about giving the gift for the teacher, not the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've always gotten thank you notes from teachers, even when I send in the gift the last day. But that means they're having to rush them on the last day of school, so I can see how an earlier gift is helpful.

I'm a preschool teacher. I often receive cards and gifts at pickup on the last day, which makes it impossible to write a thank you note. I do hope that a sincere in-person "thank you" with a hug and a couple positive things that I love about your child is sufficient.

The first year, I tried to write thank you notes during class for the gifts I had already received, bu then felt horrible for the last minute gifts that didnt get one. The second year, I sent emails. The third year, between 2 and 3 day classes and morning and afternoon classes I had about 50 students and couldn't even pull that off. That is when I decided that taking an extra moment in the hallway with each parent/caregiver to say thank you in person might be more meaningful anyway.