Anonymous wrote:My high school kids each have 7 teachers. I ordered each teacher a $10 Chipotle gift card. Not certain that they'll all love Chipotle, but there is one near the school and I figure a lunch on us might be a good gift.

DeMatha?

Anonymous wrote:OMG why are there so many teachers with sensitive skin?!?

Hell, my skin isn't sensitive but I still don't wear bath and body works lotion or stuff from Walmart/Target/etc.

^ ^ Sorry for all of the "etc".

Anonymous wrote:OMG why are there so many teachers with sensitive skin?!?

What do you mean? Sensitive skin isn't an odd thing. Especially with all of the scented crap around.

I'm not a teacher but in the past few days I have noticed that something (no idea what) is making my hands red and itchy, etc. I wouldn't want lotions etc. either.

As the wife of the teacher, please no collectibles. (Mugs etc.) He's been teaching for 16 years now and I'm glad only a few of those were elementary school.

I say no gifts. These are a conflict of interest, in my opinion. A card should be enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I give a donation in the teacher's name to UNICEF.

That is far more for you than the teacher. Tacky.

Incredibly tacky!

I think it is lovely.

I agree, I don't find it tacky at all.
If teachers do, maybe they can send out a press release via the school with their accepted gifts.

Oh please. A donation to charity is not a gift. Two different things.

A gift card for a massage somewhere (Massage envy, Red Door, four seasons in DC.....)

Anonymous wrote:A thoughtful note and an email to the principal about what you appreciate. Seriously. We remember those kind words.

^^^This

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[
I'm not sure tacky is the right word. Maybe presumptuous? I do not think it's okay to donate money in someone else's name unless you know for certain it's a cause that person would support.

Tacky is the parent giving teachers envelopes of cash.

That is your view. Some teachers on this thread said cash gifts are ok. Also, you do not seem to be very culturally aware. In some cultures giving money is acceptable.

Of course it is my view that is what an opinion is isn't it? That poster asked for our opinions on giving cash as a gift.

As for culture in my culture it is offensive to give cash as a gift especially to people in positions of respect or authority as a teacher.

Anonymous wrote:Things I tend to give:

Gift cards to Target (always useful)
Starbucks cards
Gift certificate to Thriftbooks.com which is a site I LOVE because it has tons of cheap books including lots of older ones that are out of print. I did this in preschool for teachers to buy books for their class or themselves and it was a big hit.

Always write them a nice personal note. My child loves your class, you're a great teacher, etc.

A gift to the classroom should be separate from a gift to the teacher.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is cash in an Asian money envelope acceptable?

Will you feel offended if a parent gifts you a modest amount (say $15 -%20) in a gift envelope?

Completely acceptable!

No food, no candles and no lotions please.

Thanks for saying this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is cash in an Asian money envelope acceptable?

Will you feel offended if a parent gifts you a modest amount (say $15 -%20) in a gift envelope?

Not at all.

Thank you.

Anonymous wrote:[
I'm not sure tacky is the right word. Maybe presumptuous? I do not think it's okay to donate money in someone else's name unless you know for certain it's a cause that person would support.

Tacky is the parent giving teachers envelopes of cash.

That is your view. Some teachers on this thread said cash gifts are ok. Also, you do not seem to be very culturally aware. In some cultures giving money is acceptable.

Anonymous wrote:I give gift certificates to DSW.

Do you hate them?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is cash in an Asian money envelope acceptable?

Will you feel offended if a parent gifts you a modest amount (say $15 -%20) in a gift envelope?

I don't know if offended is the right word. I might think you confused me for the babysitter.

That would certainly not be my intention. However, this is hard earned money for me, and I do not want to give anything to you that you would consider useless.

BTW - I am Asian and giving money in certain amounts is a sigh of good luck for us.