holiday gifts for teachers

[Anonymous]

What are the appropriate gifts for teachers? Shall we give gifts to other teachers eg music, art, PE? My DD loves PE and I would like to express appreciation - but she would not remember to take the gifts to the teachers. I have never met these teachers and it is kind of awkward to just show up and present a gift.

[Anonymous]

We have always gotten a gift for the main teacher. At the holidays, I send e-mails of appreciation to the music teacher, PE teacher, speech therapist, art teacher, computer teacher, media center staff, principal, special ed teachers, paraeducators and anyone else who has worked with my kids.

[Anonymous]

Each year we have taken a collection from the parents to buy a gift. $5 per family x 20 kids = $100 -- each year we buy a gift certificate to a mall or a particular store so they can buy something that they want for themselves. Way better than 20+ candles, picture frames, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are the appropriate gifts for teachers? Shall we give gifts to other teachers eg music, art, PE? My DD loves PE and I would like to express appreciation - but she would not remember to take the gifts to the teachers. I have never met these teachers and it is kind of awkward to just show up and present a gift.

Homemade cards and/or cookies, etc. are always a nice gesture.

[Anonymous]

Speaking as a teacher, the best gift you can give is a detailed letter of appreciation, preferably at the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

Target gift certificates.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to piggy back on this thread, but what's the protocol for giving gifts to teachers through the higher grades? I remember giving little gifts to kindergarten teachers, maybe first grade teachers, when I was a kid. But I know I wasn't giving them to middle school teachers. My child's in preschool now, and I'm clueless about how what's customary in elementary school. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry to piggy back on this thread, but what's the protocol for giving gifts to teachers through the higher grades? I remember giving little gifts to kindergarten teachers, maybe first grade teachers, when I was a kid. But I know I wasn't giving them to middle school teachers. My child's in preschool now, and I'm clueless about how what's customary in elementary school. Thanks.

I am a high school teacher and I rarely get gifts from students - maybe 1-2 before winter break. If I did get gifts, I would love gift cards to Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, etc. But even just a little note of appreciation would be great.