Ridiculous Gift Policy at DD School

[Anonymous]

We love our daughter's teacher. This year the grade reps were told there is a new gift policy of $25 limit or a donation to a charity in our teachers name. How boring. DD said everyone brought chocolates today and she wished we had given something a little different. Do teachers eat the food gifts?

[Anonymous]

OP we used to give something a teacher deserves and would use. A gc to target, nail salon, or a Visa gc. Maybe we will ignore the policy. I feel sorry for the teachers.

[Anonymous]

Teacher loved DS card. That was enough. How obnoxious of the school. You should be able to give whatever you want to your child's teacher.

[Anonymous]

+1

What school?

[Anonymous]

What the heck is wrong with a $25 limit? Anything more looks like you are trying to bribe them.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry you can't give your DD's teacher that expensive gift you crave.

[Anonymous]

Nothing wrong with 25 limit. Something wrong with telling people they can't give anything besides food or charity. Is that right? I went on this forum looking for info on how much to give my daughter's teacher and aftercare workers. I work in a school, myself, and think there is nothing more appreciated than a sweet note from a student. If you must give a gift card, $25 goes a long way at Walmart.

[Anonymous]

I dropped off gifts in the teacher lounge yesterday. There was a box on the table that said. Food donations for manna. The teachers were putting all of the cookies and candy in the box to donate. I am glad it wasn't being tossed out, but I will never give cookies again. The teachers don't appreciate it. At least at my dd's school.

[Anonymous]

What kind of economic diversity do you have in your school?

I'd say a policy like this would be probably driven by inequities of income in the student population.

[Anonymous]

Teachers are professionals, and you don't tip them. It really does come across as bribery if you give them something expensive. It's a real problem in some countries in East Asia

[Anonymous]

OP must be a SAHM raising a future Mean Girl. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teachers are professionals, and you don't tip them. It really does come across as bribery if you give them something expensive. It's a real problem in some countries in East Asia

I don't think Christmas gifts from children here are quite on the same par with the literally thousands that are used to bribe teachers in Asia, where there is no universal education.

The issue seems to be what constitutes a "nominal" amount. $25 is not an unreasonable figure. A case could probably be made for $50, but that's probably pushing the upper end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We love our daughter's teacher. This year the grade reps were told there is a new gift policy of $25 limit or a donation to a charity in our teachers name. How boring. DD said everyone brought chocolates today and she wished we had given something a little different. Do teachers eat the food gifts?

Your problem isn't the policy. It's your lack of imagination. Chocolate is all you could think of for $25??? Require more of yourself and of DD. Give a gift card and really nice handmade card. Stop whining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dropped off gifts in the teacher lounge yesterday. There was a box on the table that said. Food donations for manna. The teachers were putting all of the cookies and candy in the box to donate. I am glad it wasn't being tossed out, but I will never give cookies again. The teachers don't appreciate it. At least at my dd's school.

I think they appreciate it. But if you got candy or cookies from 15 kids, how would you ever eat it all?

[Anonymous]

Why is a $25 limit "ridiculous"? There are plenty of ways to show your appreciation for $25 or less.