Gifts teachers DON’T want

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have worked at both senior citizen homes and homeless shelters. Neither of those accept homemade treats or food in opened packages. It is much too big of a liability.

Bethesda Cares definitely accepts homemade treats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what about homemade cookies and a card?

Maybe I’m paranoid but I throw out homemade food. I have no idea how clean someone else’s kitchen is, if they let cats walk on their counters, etc

No you aren’t paranoid. I don’t know a single teacher that will eat homemade gifts. They go in the trash. Always.

That's awful. You could at least pass them off to a senior citizen's home or homeless shelter. Sorry anyone wasted any time or effort on you.

I have worked at both senior citizen homes and homeless shelters. Neither of those accept homemade treats or food in opened packages. It is much too big of a liability.

Omg, you know, if you go to a bakery and buy a cookie someone hand made that. A human being.
You are more likely to ‘catch something’ from some assembly line made trash as bacteria grows on the machinery and they are not often cleaned (apparently).

I don’t make the rules. I was simply informing PP (who suggested she donate the items) that it may not be feasible.

[Anonymous]

I know that it is a big no-no in the US, but as an immigrant I still follow my culture and give money gifts in lucky envelopes.

The idea of giving "lucky money" to people is that it will attract more fortune to them. If I am give the same amount as a gift card or even a check then I have made access to that cash harder for the recipient. It is opposite of being "lucky" if they need cash and they cannot use what I have given to them. I slip the money envelope inside the holiday card with a note for each teacher.

I know posters on DCUM people are horrified about giving cash to teachers because it is demeaning. I think that because so often the teachers are using their own money for classroom needs there is nothing disrespectful if we give them cash. Just my own opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what about homemade cookies and a card?

Maybe I’m paranoid but I throw out homemade food. I have no idea how clean someone else’s kitchen is, if they let cats walk on their counters, etc

I hope that you never eat in a restaurant. Because it isn't pretty!

Cats are very clean. Rodents and flies in restaurants? Not so clean.

“Cats are clean” is the best joke I’ve heard today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, this thread makes me never want to give a teacher a gift. Many of you are extremely ungrateful. Nobody gives me gifts for doing my job. Perhaps the practice should end all together.

I agree.

+1. And the worst part is when they get awarded for just doing their job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what about homemade cookies and a card?

Maybe I’m paranoid but I throw out homemade food. I have no idea how clean someone else’s kitchen is, if they let cats walk on their counters, etc

No you aren’t paranoid. I don’t know a single teacher that will eat homemade gifts. They go in the trash. Always.

My super top secret cookies get eaten. I have had teachers ask for them in years they do not have my kids and even had one teacher stop me the last week before we moved out of state that she was so sad we were moving because she would no longer get my cookies for Christmas and would I please share tye recipe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I know posters on DCUM people are horrified about giving cash to teachers because it is demeaning. I think that because so often the teachers are using their own money for classroom needs there is nothing disrespectful if we give them cash. Just my own opinion.

People think it’s demeaning? Really? I haven’t seen that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, this thread makes me never want to give a teacher a gift. Many of you are extremely ungrateful. Nobody gives me gifts for doing my job. Perhaps the practice should end all together.

I agree.

+1. And the worst part is when they get awarded for just doing their job.

Seriously! It’s not like others get tips or bonuses or that we give gifts to others like out mail carrier, baby sitter or daycare provider.

[Anonymous]

This thread is amazing. These gifts are gestures. I think that teachers do not understand this. How ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know that it is a big no-no in the US, but as an immigrant I still follow my culture and give money gifts in lucky envelopes.

The idea of giving "lucky money" to people is that it will attract more fortune to them. If I am give the same amount as a gift card or even a check then I have made access to that cash harder for the recipient. It is opposite of being "lucky" if they need cash and they cannot use what I have given to them. I slip the money envelope inside the holiday card with a note for each teacher.

I know posters on DCUM people are horrified about giving cash to teachers because it is demeaning. I think that because so often the teachers are using their own money for classroom needs there is nothing disrespectful if we give them cash. Just my own opinion.

I’m a teacher and I don’t find cash demeaning. However, I know that some families can’t afford $20 x 7 teachers. We certainly can’t. However, it’s often possible to pick up pretty nice gifts for $10 or even $5. People might feel awkward putting $5 cash in an envelope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, this thread makes me never want to give a teacher a gift. Many of you are extremely ungrateful. Nobody gives me gifts for doing my job. Perhaps the practice should end all together.

I agree.

+1. And the worst part is when they get awarded for just doing their job.

Seriously! It’s not like others get tips or bonuses or that we give gifts to others like out mail carrier, baby sitter or daycare provider.

Begrudging teachers Christmas gifts is petty af. When was the last time you were in a classroom? And really, people are being honest here on DCUM, not in "real life". My mother was a principal, and retired 15 years ago. The lotions and soaps and such are fine - until you get 10+ sets of them. The cookies and other food, too - ONE batch of cookies, great. When you get 12 batches...not so much.

Just give a gift card, really. Or a handwritten note. Or nothing. No one goes into teaching for Christmas gifts. I know you think you have the best cookies/cakes/whatever, or you know the PERFECT gift to get because you are so awesome, but just get a gift card if you have to get something.

She accepted it all gratefully and gracefully - but I can tell you *maybe* 1/20th of what she received was used or consumed personally by her.

[Anonymous]

Do you think a 2G teacher will accept a good manners academy gift card?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, this thread makes me never want to give a teacher a gift. Many of you are extremely ungrateful. Nobody gives me gifts for doing my job. Perhaps the practice should end all together.

I agree.

+1. And the worst part is when they get awarded for just doing their job.

Seriously! It’s not like others get tips or bonuses or that we give gifts to others like out mail carrier, baby sitter or daycare provider.

Begrudging teachers Christmas gifts is petty af. When was the last time you were in a classroom? And really, people are being honest here on DCUM, not in "real life". My mother was a principal, and retired 15 years ago. The lotions and soaps and such are fine - until you get 10+ sets of them. The cookies and other food, too - ONE batch of cookies, great. When you get 12 batches...not so much.

Just give a gift card, really. Or a handwritten note. Or nothing. No one goes into teaching for Christmas gifts. I know you think you have the best cookies/cakes/whatever, or you know the PERFECT gift to get because you are so awesome, but just get a gift card if you have to get something.

She accepted it all gratefully and gracefully - but I can tell you *maybe* 1/20th of what she received was used or consumed personally by her.

Sorry. The PP was meant to be sarcastic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think a 2G teacher will accept a good manners academy gift card?

What is a 2G teacher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want a specific gift, then when you are asked say so. I asked our teacher multiple times and got no answer.

There’s a questionnaire we fill out. There are plenty of ideas I gave. For the record, my favorite thing is a handwritten note from a student. I need nothing more more. But crikey, opened stuff is awful.

I also prefer a note from the student or parent. The ones that specifically talk about something the student learned or enjoyed in class are my favorites.

I’m extremely uncomfortable with anything that costs a lot of money. A $5 gift card from Starbucks from each kid buys my coffee for the whole month!! It is more than enough of a treat for me.