I did not know you had to buy v-day gifts for teachers and classmates.

[Anonymous]

Ok...first time and clueless mom here. I had NO clue that I'm supposed to buy cards/gifts for the teacher and DS's other classmates (DS is 16 months). What do teachers typically get? And what are you supposed to get for the other toddlers?

Any suggestions would be helpful as I need to go shopping ASAP since the daycare is holding a v-day party tomorrow! Thanks

[Anonymous]

$10 gift card to Starbucks

[Anonymous]

Just get one of those inexpensive box of valentine cards for the children and a $5 gift card for the teacher.

[Anonymous]

whew...i had no idea. just finished making valentine cards for the kids. we were supposed to make something for the teachers????

[Anonymous]

My son gave his preschool classmates some inexpensive cards bought at Walmart w/ a V-Day lollipop in them. He gave his teacher a homemade card w/ a rose in it.

[Anonymous]

My son is at daycare in the toddler room and they sent home a sheet suggesting we make cards for each of the kids. I've had a crazy week and have decided I am just not going to stress out about it (ie, I'm a slacker). i actually think it's pretty silly for such young toddlers to be celebrating v-day and do not need the need for such added stress. So, in my opinion you should not feel you "need to' buy v-day gifts/cards.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, seems totally ridiculous and pointless to buy cards/gifts for 16-month old classmates.

[Anonymous]

OMG you just helped me dodge a bullet! I've had such a busy week and TOTALLY forgot about my son's V-day party tomorrow at his preschool. After reading OP's post I raced over to CVS and saw many, many others who were in the same boat tearing through the Valentine's aisle. Hilarious. I bought cards for the kids (3-4 yo) with dum-dum pops on them and little chocolate hearts for the teachers... very low-key.

[Anonymous]

I just bought a bunch of little boxes of chocolates at CVS - I have a total of 12 teachers to buy for, and a few others. For the 16 month old, I wouldn't get cards for the classmates - nobody will notice if you don't.

[Anonymous]

I've never bought a valentine's gift for a teacher or thought one was expected. My kids give each of them a valentine.

[Anonymous]

My sister (who lives in PA) just called me about this, and she was fuming. She and her 2.5 year old spent all week talking about love and friendship and Valentine's Day. He colored home-made cards for each of his 10 classmates. They baked cookies for the party. When they got to school, all the other kids had store-bought cards and "little plastic bag filled with candy and other plastic crap! My son wouldn't even eat his lunch that day, because he was obsessed with the candy! Now he doesn't think it's about love, he thinks it's about plastic crap!" We both thought that from a financial, environmental, and nutritional viewpoint, this was ridiculous for kids this young. I get that if there's no time for homemade stuff, the little paper cards are a great substitute. I don't get all the rest of the junk. Totally unnecessary. The challenge is sticking to your values when others are doing something different.

[Anonymous]

Teachers just get one of the same valentines you give to the rest of the kids, as far as I know! And by the way, for 16 mo. olds, I think the card is enough (no candy necessary!)

[Anonymous]

Oh crap. I was suppose to get the teacher something??

We found out late the kids were exchanging cards. I find it strange even for 2.5 year olds. I did the "run through CVS and grab something" thing, but had no idea to get something for the teacher (although, I did send my husband with extra cards since we have NO idea what the kids names are - my son just started - so maybe the teachers will just assume the extras are for them).

OK, I'm probably a big meanie, but I really hope no parents send candy. The darn snacks at the place are already full of sugar, he really doesn't need 20 pieces of candy to go with it (plus, isn't most candy a choking hazard for the young ones?)

[Anonymous]

I used this as an opportunity to have my 2 1/2 year old son "sign" each valentine and choose each valentine for his classmates. To tell him that when he does this he too will get valentines. It was a way to teach generosity and thoughtfulness.

And I too had a crazy week flying on business to the midwest and back in one day and then bake something for his party when I returned home that night (the night before his party).

I bought his valentines for his class 2 weeks ago along with small valentine boxes for the teachers. This is not about me and my schedule, it is about him having a good time and learning to do nice things for other people in his life.

[zumbamama]

I've never bought the teacher a V-gift. I was all ready to help DS make Valentines, but I came home and he did them all by himself already! He just cut out hearts from red paper and wrote names on them, and one for the teacher...so there's her gift! Personally, I'd rather get a handmade card then plastic junk.