I am a teacher and can answer your many gift questions!

[Anonymous]

There are so many gift threads on this site. Here is the post to end all gift threads.
1. We love receiving a thoughtful card written by the student, with real sentiment behind the words
2. We do not want a Starbucks gift card, another mug, or a candle
3. We hope you will give us, if not a thoughtful card or homemade gift from your child (which we love) a Visa,MC, Walmart, or Target gift card. We rely on those cards to buy presents for our own kids. Really, we do. I can't name a single teacher I know at my private school who is able to purchase Christmas presents for family members without those gift cards.
4. Instead of only contacting our DD or HOS when we make a mistake, how about contacting them to say we are doing a nice job? Makes a huge difference. Especially the HOS or principal.

[Anonymous]

So gifts are pretty much expected? Like a tip?

[Anonymous]

Another teacher here who agrees with OP

[Anonymous]

I am a private school teacher and I can certainly purchase Christmas gifts for my children without the help of my students' parents. I absolutely do not expect Target gift cards or any other gift cards. My husband and I both make modest incomes but give me a break. That is completely ridiculous.

That said, I do agree with some other things the OP said. A card or nice note is very much appreciated. I don't need more candles or soap, but I would not frown on any gift given to me by a student.

And hey, I like the Starbucks cards….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a private school teacher and I can certainly purchase Christmas gifts for my children without the help of my students' parents. I absolutely do not expect Target gift cards or any other gift cards. My husband and I both make modest incomes but give me a break. That is completely ridiculous.

That said, I do agree with some other things the OP said. A card or nice note is very much appreciated. I don't need more candles or soap, but I would not frown on any gift given to me by a student.

And hey, I like the Starbucks cards….

This parent likes you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a private school teacher and I can certainly purchase Christmas gifts for my children without the help of my students' parents. I absolutely do not expect Target gift cards or any other gift cards. My husband and I both make modest incomes but give me a break. That is completely ridiculous.

That said, I do agree with some other things the OP said. A card or nice note is very much appreciated. I don't need more candles or soap, but I would not frown on any gift given to me by a student.

And hey, I like the Starbucks cards….

This parent likes you!

I agree. Much better attitude than OP. It's a gift OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a private school teacher and I can certainly purchase Christmas gifts for my children without the help of my students' parents. I absolutely do not expect Target gift cards or any other gift cards. My husband and I both make modest incomes but give me a break. That is completely ridiculous.

That said, I do agree with some other things the OP said. A card or nice note is very much appreciated. I don't need more candles or soap, but I would not frown on any gift given to me by a student.

And hey, I like the Starbucks cards….

+1 the first post is embarrassing. I don't expect anything. Nor to I want anyone to feel obliged to give me something. The handmade cards and notes from students are really nice, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So gifts are pretty much expected? Like a tip?

np here: I would say that gifts are customary. Do you really disagree? I thank the teacher OP for providing some perspective for what would be useful and appreciated, and I would suggest your retort was rude and crass.

[Anonymous]

If there is a "class gift" that all the parents contribute to, am I also expected to get a separate gift from my DC? It's our first year in preschool so I'm not sure what other people usually do. At the beginning of the year I gave $ for the class gift. I am going to have DC make a card, but should I add a present as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are so many gift threads on this site. Here is the post to end all gift threads.
1. We love receiving a thoughtful card written by the student, with real sentiment behind the words
2. We do not want a Starbucks gift card, another mug, or a candle
3. We hope you will give us, if not a thoughtful card or homemade gift from your child (which we love) a Visa,MC, Walmart, or Target gift card. We rely on those cards to buy presents for our own kids. Really, we do. I can't name a single teacher I know at my private school who is able to purchase Christmas presents for family members without those gift cards.
4. Instead of only contacting our DD or HOS when we make a mistake, how about contacting them to say we are doing a nice job? Makes a huge difference. Especially the HOS or principal.

Interesting comment. I think you are in a real minority with those comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So gifts are pretty much expected? Like a tip?

Don't be an ass... of course they're not expected but many parents and students WANT to give their teacher a gift. OP was posting suggestions for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So gifts are pretty much expected? Like a tip?

Don't be an ass... of course they're not expected but many parents and students WANT to give their teacher a gift. OP was posting suggestions for them.

I read it as being sarcastic but you never know.

[Anonymous]

Another teacher here. I am a high school teacher so the norm is that we don't get gifts (which is totally fine -- we only have the kids in one subject as opposed to having them for most of the day like an elementary school teacher).

My thoughts:
1. Any gift of any kind is a thoughtful and nice gesture, and not expected -- we are not like NYC doormen who expect tips and figure that into their income potential for the year.
2. I do have plenty of candles at the holiday times and in blackouts from former gifts, and I usually smile (as the storm rages overhead) as I pull out my gift candles. But sure, generally probably people have enough soap/candles.
3. I like mugs just fine -- I have a nice collection at school and some at home that kids have given me over the years. I am a tea drinker and drink tea at school so giving me a mug does seem thoughtful and personalized to me.
4. I like Starbucks cards! (Actually a lot -- so go figure.)
5. This is true for every teacher, regardless of grade level -- it truly is about your kids. Don't feel pressured to give a gift by the fear it will change how your child is treated -- I know I feel like getting to teach such great kids IS a gift (sorry for being sappy but I really do love my work).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a private school teacher and I can certainly purchase Christmas gifts for my children without the help of my students' parents. I absolutely do not expect Target gift cards or any other gift cards. My husband and I both make modest incomes but give me a break. That is completely ridiculous.

That said, I do agree with some other things the OP said. A card or nice note is very much appreciated. I don't need more candles or soap, but I would not frown on any gift given to me by a student.

And hey, I like the Starbucks cards….

+1

[Anonymous]

I disagree with everything except number 4. I can buy my own children gifts and I don't even make a lot of money. I don't go to Starbucks but don't mind getting a gift card from there. Someone I know can make use of it. Let's be honest, a thoughtful card will be posted on the fridge for a little while and then recycled in the trash.