Teacher gifts: No mugs and no ornaments!

[Anonymous]

The little notes thing is such a PITA. here’s your candle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The little notes thing is such a PITA. here’s your candle.

We do gift cards in a holiday card signed by kid. Good enough for you?

[Anonymous]

I love buying gifts for teachers, and they seem to lenjoy ve them. I spent about $250 this year, which is far less than previous years, because I lost my job and am cutting back in general.

For example, one teacher got a shoulder bag from target. She’s actually a teachers assistant, but beloved like a grandma.

Another male teacher got a handsome leather look (paper) diary and Crane and Co notecards that had a subdued, masculine design in navy.

Another young female teacher got a colorful calendar planner with something on the front in foil letters along with a set of really nice colored fine tip pens.

A couple of other teachers got notecards from papyrus.
A couple got tall sparkly straw cups from Starbucks.
One got a pretty hot/cold contigo mug

A few got a couple pairs of cozy socks.

These will be fine as regifted if they choose to do that.

And so on!

[Anonymous]

Teacher here - I LOVE mugs and ornaments. They are my two favorite gifts. I keep all of them, and I use them, too. But really, I don't want anything at all except maybe a card, a nice note, and I wouldn't mind a homemade cookie if you're up for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The little notes thing is such a PITA. here’s your candle.

I’ve always suspected that the mugs were from parents who didn’t want to have to actually think about the teacher. I get it— you’re tired and busy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The teacher posting here likes cards and doesn't want anything else. However not all teachers feel this way. So people are going to give what they give. You can't please everyone.

More than one teacher and on many, many other threads. There’s a high appreciation for cards and notes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom still has some ornaments made for her by students she had as far back as the 70s. Every year when we decorate the tree, she tells the stories of those students.

+1 Former teacher here--I'm with your mom.

I do this too! I only have a few ornaments, but I think of those students every Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here - I LOVE mugs and ornaments. They are my two favorite gifts. I keep all of them, and I use them, too. But really, I don't want anything at all except maybe a card, a nice note, and I wouldn't mind a homemade cookie if you're up for it.

Hypothetically, you’ve taught 10 years.

How many mugs do you own? Does the size of your collection ever cause friction with your spouse? Are you angry if the cats knock them over and they break?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My mom still has some ornaments made for her by students she had as far back as the 70s. Every year when we decorate the tree, she tells the stories of those students.

+1 Former teacher here--I'm with your mom.

I do this too! I only have a few ornaments, but I think of those students every Christmas.

MIL was a teacher in Loudoun County public schools for many years and kept all of hers.

[Anonymous]

If my kid brings you an envelope are you disappointed to open it and find just a note (no gift card)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If my kid brings you an envelope are you disappointed to open it and find just a note (no gift card)?

I've been getting really nice notes along with the gift cards or in Christmas cards that came along with gifts. Didn't know notes and gift cards were mutually exclusive. The bottom line is that teachers will accept and appreciate anything they're given.

But I'll step aside and let the 'note crowd' you're addressing answer this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my kid brings you an envelope are you disappointed to open it and find just a note (no gift card)?

I've been getting really nice notes along with the gift cards or in Christmas cards that came along with gifts. Didn't know notes and gift cards were mutually exclusive. The bottom line is that teachers will accept and appreciate anything they're given.

But I'll step aside and let the 'note crowd' you're addressing answer this.

I guess I’m in the “note crowd”.

I’m never disappointed when I get just notes. And the notes have spanned SE classes and a wide caliber of students. I get some notes that just say “Thanks for teaching me ” or “I like your class.” And others that fill three sides of the card with details. Some are funny. Others make me cry. I have a special fondness for the ones that come from kids I had a rocky start with. These remind me to keep trying even if a student seems like they hate me for no reason.

[Anonymous]

I am a WOHM with a busy schedule, so I take the easy route and send $25 Starbucks gift cards for main teachers and a card. I. I also send $15 Starbucks gift cards for our library teacher and her assistant( this was my kids request), we have a fantastic principal, I send him a $25 Starbucks gift card and a thank you note. Honestly, I hope they are all cool with this because this is all I can manage to do. ??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If my kid brings you an envelope are you disappointed to open it and find just a note (no gift card)?

NO NO NO

I am another teacher who treasures and cherishes kid notes. Love them. If I open it and DO see a gift card, I am still more touched by the note the kid writes. Most gift cards I regift to my kids' teachers so they don't go unused by any means but your child's words mean everything to me!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If my kid brings you an envelope are you disappointed to open it and find just a note (no gift card)?

NO NO NO

I am another teacher who treasures and cherishes kid notes. Love them. If I open it and DO see a gift card, I am still more touched by the note the kid writes. Most gift cards I regift to my kids' teachers so they don't go unused by any means but your child's words mean everything to me!

I want to mention too that every school year I get a nice big keepsake box from Homegoods. All the cards my kids give me, cute notes, programs from plays or events they are in, newspaper articles that feature them, etc. go in that school year's box. A card will never be tossed aside or forgotten by a teacher. I think you guys forget, we love those kids and we know we only have them for a year. In HS, we might get lucky and get them once more if we teach two grade levels. Those area are proof of our time with your people.

A gift is always appreciated. I adore seeing a happy kid hand me a gift, even if it's a box of cookies. But if you think you have to put an item or gift card in there for us to appreciate it and be pleased, don't. A note from you and/or your child really does impact us.