I’m a teacher/parent. I usually give a $25 target gift card and a nice email, CCing the principal. I get a handful of holiday gifts and cards each year. I tend to get more gifts at Valentine’s Day or flowers at the end of the year but that might be because I’m in the early years when kids are very lovey dovey 🤣

Some class parents get a list from the teacher of items they like. If not, a Target card. They can use those to buy food, or classroom supplies or something personal for themselves.

My oldest is in middle school. We’ve always just had the kids make a gift and/or card for their teachers.
Some parents give gifts I’m sure. APS does have policies/limits on how much you can give.

Didn’t you donate to a class fund at the beginning of the year? If not, $25 each.

I was the parent volunteer who collected for the teacher holiday gift a few times. Most parents donated $5-$10. A few gave nothing; a few gave $20; and a few told me that they preferred to give their own gift. We combined the gifts into one Visa gift card.
Some years no class gift was collected. In those years, I had my kid make a card and we put a $10 Target gift card inside. Do not give mugs, ornaments, or decorative items that will just create clutter. One sweet teacher asked that we only give small, inexpensive gifts she could use in the classroom--stickers, sidewalk chalk, pencils, etc.
This all ends after elementary school. I don't think middle or high school teachers ever get much, if anything.

We are new to this - oldest being in kindergarten - growing up I'm pretty darn sure my teachers didn't get $$ but these days I have no idea. What is considered normal? Is it expected? I don't want to be the only parent not giving her money but we don't do any gifts in December so I'm not sure what's standard.
Thank you!