I think $50 is fine.

Stop preaching pp. People are different. Get over it.

I should apologize for the sarcasm above. I just am seeing more and more that the culture is emphasizing money over much more important things these days. I used to teach and really-just treat your child's teacher with dignity and kindess all year and express thanks with a nice note. The rest is icing on the cake. I never expected gifts. Thank you notes were gift enough. What saddened me is every year it seemed like we had more demanding and entitled parents, but more expensive and lavish gifts. Save your money and show a team oriented spirit with the teacher and reinforce true values at home with your child. That is the greatest gift of all. I still have every thank you note. Some of the most difficult parents gave the most expensive gifts some of which I had to give back. When I worked in a less affluent area at a public school I got beautiful thank you notes and dollar store gifts. Most of all I dealt with many delightful parents who valued the profession of teaching and students who were incredibly respectful. When I go back I will likely stick to less affluent schools. I can see in this area my value system is considered out of place.

I agree with PP, but really 20, 50, 100 is cheap. I say give a hefty bonus check and stock options. Teach your children early that the more money you give a person the more you appreciate them. Heck teach them about corporate corruption and show them that money can buy anything these days even some teacher love. Oh and the more guilty you feel about how many hours you work, the more money you should cough up.

Heart-felt thank you notes and small gifts are soooo yesterday. Teach your kids some real values not this old-fashioned stuff.

I have to say that it is sad that this group can't have a serious discussion about gifts for our childrens teachers. In some cases they spend more time with our children then we do.

I just want to know what the norm is. 20-50-100??

Let's be real here. Money talks. Open your wallet and get out the biggest bill you can. Pretend you are giving out of the kindness of your heart, but wink wink the teacher better darn well think of that bill when grade time comes. Perhaps you should include a contract..I will pay you this amount in cash or gift card whichever you prefer and here is what I expect in return.. Oh and wink wink I won't tell if you violate your schools's policy, if you don't.

Oh and don't you dare bake cookies and write some sappy thank you note. We are no longer in the 20th century. This is the 21st century people. I don't care if you are still paying off college debt or you have spent your life savings on an ill child and you just lost your job..open up that wallet and show some love. Don't be cheap now. Don't make a card with your kid. Show them the money!

Get over the gift cards folks. If you are going to give a gift, give money and let teacher decide how to best use it. I'm not a teacher, so this is not self-interest. I always include notes from the kids in the card.

That is hilarious, PP! Now, get off the internet and go finish your homework.

We have a houses in Palm Beach and Aspen and we allow the teachers to pick either one for a week. I know it's probably not right in the strictest sense but we're not using them so why not them? As our DD has progressed at the school all of her teachers get real excited and I don't think it has hurt her grades if you get my point!

If you are going to give that much you may want to call the school first and find out what the limit is on what a teacher can accept. You don't want to create an awkward moment where the teacher has to give the gift back.

That would be really generous and I am sure --- much appreciated. I saw a letter in the paper from a volunteer coach asking if it wasn't too much that the parents give some sort of gift for his volunteer coaching.

Anonymous wrote:What is the $ amount? I am new to private DC is in a K-12. I don't want to be cheap but I don't want to be over the top either. I was thinking a $50 gift card to nordstroms. Is that normal?

I think many schools have a $20-25 limit. When I taught some teachers got into trouble bragging about the lavish gifts they accepted which went beyond. It really is the thought that counts. What I remember most and still have are lovely than you notes. My concern with group gifts is one year a parent came forward and actually told me how the parents were "pressured" to give. People have different means and I would not want to accept a gift knowing anyone was pushed to give more than they felt comfortable. As a parent I stick to a note of thanks, a gift I make with my child and a very modest gift card. I don't want anyone to feel like I am trying to buy special treatment or give a tip, I just want the teacher to feel appreciated.

What is the $ amount? I am new to private DC is in a K-12. I don't want to be cheap but I don't want to be over the top either. I was thinking a $50 gift card to nordstroms. Is that normal?

How about gift cards to Target?

Yes...everyone appreciates gift cards or cash. It's a lame excuse that people feel "creepy" given cash. Move up to the plate and pony up cowboy.