I have always written a heartfelt thank you note at the back of a photo of my child, for their favorite teacher.
I do this at the end of the school year.

This gift-giving frenzy at Christmas (and every other occasion) seems like Keepin-up-with-the Joneses Syndrome.

Don't worry about not giving a gift of you can't afford it. You can have your child make a card if you really want to. If I had to chose between a cheap gift card and the random food at Home Goods, I would choose gift card. I would prefer a cheap box of chocolate from the grocery store to the Home Goods idea. I would re-gift or throw away the Home Goods food. Does anyone really think- oh, I want to make such and such. Let me go to Home Goods. Don't do it.

People who give the food away aren't ungrateful! Teachers just get So Much Food! My family could never eat all that food before it spoiled. Coupled with holiday party feasts and neighbors dropping off cookies, the amount of food this time of year is just out of control. You asked, the teachers answered. Spend the $ on a gift card or don't spend money at all and write a note. Those things are more appreciated.

Veteran teacher here - I can tell you that I have kept every note a student has ever written to me (and there are some crummy days I pull them out of the file folder, and reread them to give myself a boost!). The gifts are nice, but what's really meaningful to me are the kind words. Happy holidays to everyone.

Anonymous wrote:Please no food. All the food I get from students goes in the trash.

A gift card for $5.00 is a better idea.

You sound like a great teacher. Nice attitude. Maybe the gifts reflect how your are.

Gift baskets can really run up. Just the basket itself (if nice) can be expensive, and personally, I rarely use all the ingredients and end up throwing out when expired. Any kind of gift card is preferable. A friend worked herself to the bone to do up lovely baskets for teachers and not a single parent offered to help and most did not send in money. She was so fried at everyone by the end that she listed only the five or so parents who had contributed to the basket. .

And of course no thank you from the teacher

Please no food. All the food I get from students goes in the trash.

A gift card for $5.00 is a better idea.

OP, your gift basket sounds fine. If you hadn't gone out and already gotten the items, I'd say go ahead and just do a gift card or something. Whatever is easy! I'm a teacher -- I do like homemade presents and baked goods and would love to get your gift basket. But I agree with the other teachers posting --it's just the thought that counts, everything is appreciated!

I'm the child of a teacher. I actually wound up with the gifts. Homemade bake goods would be great. I personally think, but I'm from Pittsburgh, cards or gifts made by your kids especially for teacher might be appreciated also.
But again small town here.

OP here. I just had to update you all as this is too funny. I bought a few items from Home Goods and, thinking they may be of cheap quality, ran to Whole Foods again today to see if I could get some true gourmet items to add to my baskets. I couldn't believe that I found the exact same products I'd just purchased at Home Goods for more than twice at WF. Home Goods doesn't just sell low quality items, after all!

We stopped giving gifts to teachers in 2009. The recession started in on us in 2008 and left us bloody in 2009. We give them a card with a handwritten note. We haven't missed a tuition payment - that's the best we can do.

Teacher here - gifts are nice, sure, but I'm totally happy to get a "happy holidays!" card from my students. I don't eat homemade food given by students.

Think like a man - if you can't afford it, don't give it!