Gifts teachers DON’T want

[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

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.

I’m a teacher and my own children love the homemade cookies from my students!

[Anonymous]

I agree that it really adds up at a time when many people are already strapped. Our property taxes and insurance are due this month, as well as vehicle registration and all that. I had an unexpected root canal last month and I don't have dental insurance, so there's another bill. Last year my overseas FIL had brain surgery, but died several months later. My husband paid for the surgery and also the flight back home for the funeral ceremonies, requiring two weeks off. We're getting a few gifts for my son this year that won't equal what I will give to his school, we're getting an Alexa for my aging parents, and a bag of groceries and postage stamps for my grandma. And that's it.

I have one child. He goes to regular preschool two days per week and to a different school for an extended speech class, also twice a week. .I have no problem at all giving generously during Teacher Appreciation Week, in Spring, but I'm getting hit up from the room mom for the teacher and assistant, plus the preschool pta-type group also wants more money for a collection for everyone else.

I understand, and yes, I already have the teachers' gift cards and I'll give to the collection as well. But boy, I wish I could send a platter of cookies this year and say I tried.

[Anonymous]

PP, it was earlier this year my FIL passed away, but it happened during the previous school year.

[Anonymous]

Teacher here...I really mean it when I say I don’t expect gifts and that I appreciate each and every one no matter what it is. I also will eat homemade gifts! As an early education teacher I am assaulted by germs all day every day—-a few home baked cookies don’t scare me at all

[Anonymous]

Cookies bake in an oven at 350-400 degrees. It's not like that the germs from one licked finger, which was hopefully washed anyway, are going to survive. Lots of things in life to worry about, but this is not one of them.

In your opinion. I won't eat homemade cookies either.

[Anonymous]

You really shouldn't feel obligated. Teachers don't expect anything. It's just nice if it is a practical or thoughtful gift. A sweet note is appreciated as much if not more than a $10 Starbucks gift card.

Anonymous wrote:I agree that it really adds up at a time when many people are already strapped. Our property taxes and insurance are due this month, as well as vehicle registration and all that. I had an unexpected root canal last month and I don't have dental insurance, so there's another bill. Last year my overseas FIL had brain surgery, but died several months later. My husband paid for the surgery and also the flight back home for the funeral ceremonies, requiring two weeks off. We're getting a few gifts for my son this year that won't equal what I will give to his school, we're getting an Alexa for my aging parents, and a bag of groceries and postage stamps for my grandma. And that's it.

I have one child. He goes to regular preschool two days per week and to a different school for an extended speech class, also twice a week. .I have no problem at all giving generously during Teacher Appreciation Week, in Spring, but I'm getting hit up from the room mom for the teacher and assistant, plus the preschool pta-type group also wants more money for a collection for everyone else.

I understand, and yes, I already have the teachers' gift cards and I'll give to the collection as well. But boy, I wish I could send a platter of cookies this year and say I tried.

[Anonymous]

Do you understand the concept of gift giving? If someone wants to give a gift to someone what is the problem? Does it trigger you somehow?
Why? You need to do some deep self-reflection as to why it bothers you so much that generous people want to show their appreciation to someone that they respect or just appreciate.

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.

[Anonymous]

Exactly. Couldn't the teacher spending his or her own money be considered a gift? Who else spends their personal money on their job?

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.

[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

Not only this but those of us who work with kids know how dirty their hands usually are (we definitely ask them to wash or sanitize regularly at school!) so it can make us a little queasy when a student brings a gift of homemade food and proudly proclaims that they made it or helped make it themselves!

Because you always hear about teachers dying after eating homemade cookies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. Couldn't the teacher spending his or her own money be considered a gift? Who else spends their personal money on their job?

Anonymous wrote:

I'm the PP who posted about all the bills coming due this month and the room mom & pta shakedown (with very specific gift surveys from the teachers emailed out twice for good measure).

Since you asked, many people in lines of work that deal with underprivileged or neglected people or animals REGULARLY spend their own money on the job. In my early 20s, I worked in nursing homes as a nurse's aide for $7-10/hr (early 2000s). I often went to Big Lots (back when it was very cheap) for a nice scented lotion or hair products for the forgotten nursing home residents. They liked smelling good and they liked not having their hair flopping all over the place-- I guess because that's something their generation valued, and their happiness made me happy. At those wages there was little else I could do with $5-10 that would make me as happy. .
The private nursing home that charged residents the most (many I had recognized from the country club where I'd used to wait tables) actually paid the least -- I started out at $7.50/hr. The one with the most medicare/Medicaid paid around $10.50. I had my electricity shut off twice during those years, and I paid HR Block $100 for an instant pay-out of my very meager tax return so I could take my beloved dog to the vet for an earache.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher. It don't want any THING- but would love love love a note from you or your child about what (if anything) you appreciate about my class and teaching. I'll keep it forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a teacher. It don't want any THING- but would love love love a note from you or your child about what (if anything) you appreciate about my class and teaching. I'll keep it forever.

Better yet, put it in an email and CC my administration lol

[Anonymous]

That would be considered a gift not a necessity. Teachers often buy items that are necessities in order to teach lessons. There is a difference.
But, it was nice of you to do that considering you didn't make much. Also, I'm surprised that none of their families gave you gifts. I know I would always buy gifts for nurses and caregivers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. Couldn't the teacher spending his or her own money be considered a gift? Who else spends their personal money on their job?

Anonymous wrote:

I'm the PP who posted about all the bills coming due this month and the room mom & pta shakedown (with very specific gift surveys from the teachers emailed out twice for good measure).

Since you asked, many people in lines of work that deal with underprivileged or neglected people or animals REGULARLY spend their own money on the job. In my early 20s, I worked in nursing homes as a nurse's aide for $7-10/hr (early 2000s). I often went to Big Lots (back when it was very cheap) for a nice scented lotion or hair products for the forgotten nursing home residents. They liked smelling good and they liked not having their hair flopping all over the place-- I guess because that's something their generation valued, and their happiness made me happy. At those wages there was little else I could do with $5-10 that would make me as happy. .
The private nursing home that charged residents the most (many I had recognized from the country club where I'd used to wait tables) actually paid the least -- I started out at $7.50/hr. The one with the most medicare/Medicaid paid around $10.50. I had my electricity shut off twice during those years, and I paid HR Block $100 for an instant pay-out of my very meager tax return so I could take my beloved dog to the vet for an earache.

[Anonymous]

My daughter's teacher is getting a gift card, a cookbook, and laminating pouches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here...I really mean it when I say I don’t expect gifts and that I appreciate each and every one no matter what it is. I also will eat homemade gifts! As an early education teacher I am assaulted by germs all day every day—-a few home baked cookies don’t scare me at all

Lol