Definitely a nice letter. I keep them all and take my file out on really tough days. The best gift ever.

I've always treasured little notes, no matter how brief, written by students with their own words. A gift I've saved for over 30 years (from a child in a very rural, impoverished area) is a previously worn but washed and ironed newborn baby outfit. It was wrapped in tinfoil with ribbon and given to me when I was expecting our first child. Incredibly touching to me.

A scrapbook filled with notes from the kids and parents.

As a high school teacher, the best gifts ever were a card, email or even a conversation from a student or parent saying thank you. No, I don't keep all the physical cards. I keep their photos of they include one. It would be so many cards after all these years and I have the memories. I agree with the "no things." As for tangible gifts, my best ever were gift cards to Starbucks, Macy's, or nice chocolates. It does not have to be "generous" as PP said. That doesn't sound like any teacher I know.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the terrific responses so far.

Is the "no things" edict a general consensus? One idea out forward was a tray with all of the kids handprints on it. Would that be something you wish you could throw away?

Pretty much, yes. Your child will remain in my memory with a nice note and photo from you and him/her, not by a hand print on a tray. I wouldn't throw a tray away, but down the line while I'm decluttering, I'll ask myself what I'm supposed to do with it.

I'm the original 'no things' poster. Let me ask you this--imagine you had 30-300 new co-workers every year. Now imagine that every time they moved on they gave you something. Every year you get 5-50 things. So in 10 years would you remember who gave you that mug (or hand print tray) or "best co-worker" thingamajiggy? But you knew every gift was given with love. What do you do with all that stuff?

So gift cards are the best. If you are going to do a class gift card (so generous), then maybe something that she would never do for herself like to a spa or expensive restaurant close to where she lives. But individual GC-Target, Starbucks, Staples/Office Depot, Amazon or even a Visa or Amex. (Don't worry if it's only for $5. I had a $5 Starbucks card save my ass one morning!) Or find out if there was a charity she strongly supports and donate to that in her name.

If you feel the need to give things, then edible items. But then you run into food allergies, gluten free, sugar free, etc.

But the best thing that all teacher cherish is a heartfelt, how you touched my life or this is what I learned note with a picture (maybe while making something for a class assignment or on a field trip). Being a teacher sucks, hours suck, pay sucks, stress sucks, admins suck, testing sucks...but we do it because we love it. The moment a kids 'gets it' after months of not understanding, it's like gold on crack. So addictive. It's why we stay.

I do love the letters and cards and keep every one.

As for tangible gifts, I once received a gift basket with an Italian dinner theme that I loved. It had some fancy pasta, a small jar of really nice red sauce, a small jar of pesto, a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread, a garlic bulb and two cannoli.

The card was very sweet and told me to enjoy a nice night in and a movie to start off the summer break.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generous gift cards

I can tell, you think 96% of what you get isn't generous enough

OP here. Please take any snarky, negative comments elsewhere.

I think teachers deserve 1000+% of what they receive. It's one of the most important jobs in the world and in proportion to its importance, the most underpaid.

LOL, the PP couldn't just say "gift cards". It had to be GENEROUS gift cards. I agree, they absolutely deserve what they receive, but being grateful and gracious about a GC in ANY amount is a little more touching than the greedy "I want GENEROUS GC's"!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generous gift cards

I can tell, you think 96% of what you get isn't generous enough

OP here. Please take any snarky, negative comments elsewhere.

I think teachers deserve 1000+% of what they receive. It's one of the most important jobs in the world and in proportion to its importance, the most underpaid.

A thank you note. Copy my principal too.

Really, truly.

Otherwise amazon gift cards so I can buy neat "extras" for my classroom.

Anonymous wrote:Generous gift cards

I can tell, you think 96% of what you get isn't generous enough

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the terrific responses so far.

Is the "no things" edict a general consensus? One idea out forward was a tray with all of the kids handprints on it. Would that be something you wish you could throw away?

Pretty much, yes. Your child will remain in my memory with a nice note and photo from you and him/her, not by a hand print on a tray. I wouldn't throw a tray away, but down the line while I'm decluttering, I'll ask myself what I'm supposed to do with it.

Would want to throw this away =(

#1 is cash or generous gift cards....
But as far as a tangible gift.....My best one was a kaleidoscope with a card that said, "Thank you for teaching my son to see the world in so many ways..."

OP--


I just want to say that it's nice of you to bother to ask. I can tell you are a thoughtful person. Please don't sweat this too much.
--a teacher

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the terrific responses so far.

Is the "no things" edict a general consensus? One idea out forward was a tray with all of the kids handprints on it. Would that be something you wish you could throw away?

Pretty much, yes. Your child will remain in my memory with a nice note and photo from you and him/her, not by a hand print on a tray. I wouldn't throw a tray away, but down the line while I'm decluttering, I'll ask myself what I'm supposed to do with it.

OP here. Thanks for all the terrific responses so far.

Is the "no things" edict a general consensus? One idea out forward was a tray with all of the kids handprints on it. Would that be something you wish you could throw away?