Anonymous wrote:Please no flame wars here, but this is what I do.
My kids go to MCPS, so I feel that they are getting this great education for free (well sort of!), and I spend a few hundred dollars on gifts for the teachers.
I write a note and give a gift card to ALL teachers that teach my DCs. Anyone they have an interaction with. So not only homeroom teacher, but all subject teachers and art, media room,music, PE etc.
I also give gifts to teachers who sponsor clubs and counsellors as well. AND I make a gift hamper for the office staff as well. Just a tin of popcorn and chocolates, cookies and candy etc., to be consumed in the office.
I think that even if I was not able to afford the gifts, I would still be writing notes to all of them. I think that is more appreciated than the gift cards.
Starbucks gift cards have been easiest to give. I give in denominations of $10, and for some teachers I will give 2 or 3, $10 gift cards. The idea is that if these teachers are not Starbucks fan, they can regift these cards. Or if they are married, they can give one card to their spouse.
PP, I hear you. I'm sure someone will come on here and flame you, but I just wanted to offer up some support. We are also at an MCPS school, and I feel the same way as you - my kids are getting a great education for FREE. We can't afford private school, but can afford a few hundred dollars around the holidays, so I give pretty generously to the teachers/staff at my kid's school as well.
We normally give $25 to my kids main teacher, and $15 to the specials - art/music/PE. I normally do Target gift cards, thinking you can really get anything and everything there.