Okay teachers, christmas is coming

E

ejostling

Cathlete
What do we buy you? Anything? My son is in the 2nd grade and every year they send a letter requesting no gifts. Instead, they ask you donate a toy or book in the teachers name to the charity the school is supporting. So is that all I have to do, or do the teachers expect a little something else, too? Just curious for insider information. Thanks!

Sally
 
I never expected anything. I think the school has a nice idea. I think you should do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
 
our school really encourages doing the charity thing, and leaves it up to us about presents. usually the teachers get more then their share of little gifts over the years. but i still get little things for them. this year i am doing christmas mugs with two little packets of coffe called "santa's white xmas" flavor i got from DH's job with a few peppermints.

kassia

http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana

"And do what thee wilt as long as ye harm none"
 
hey sally,

i am a speech therapist, and i primarily work in the school system. teachers are human, and we can be like children when we get gifts. however, we are really dedicated to the children. the greatest gift is to see the children thrive, knowing we are making a difference in their lives. many of the parents give gifts at holiday time and at the end of the year. they insist, because they tell me that they want to show how thankful they are. i tell them that a thank you card that has been personalized means the most to me.

you can always make a donation, and still send a nice card to school with your son. if you want to get something a little more personalized, find out about interests the teacher may have. i have to say that a donation in their name is beautiful, and truly keeps within the chrismas spirit.

hope this helps,

suri
 
not to hijack, but suri thank you and all teachers/therapist for your hard work!!!!! my daughter gets speech and occupational therapy in her school day. they went out of their way this year to make sure they would still have viola this year again. and i think their dedication to my daughter has made a difference. folks like you give us the gifts that keep on giving


kassia

http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana

"And do what thee wilt as long as ye harm none"
 
I would respect their wishes and send a gift for a charity. But, that doesn't stop you from making, for example, some holiday trears, baked goods maybe, and handing those out as a little something for the teachers themselves.

I do this and it is usually apreciated: unless they are lying to me and just don't want to hurt my feelings!

Clare
 
The parents at our school purchase gifts FOR the school that the teachers have requested. These are educational toys, games, etc. for the school. Some classes have given one gift to me...a gift card or Visa gift card. Some donate to a charity in my honor. One very special gift I'll always remember was dinner given to me by a parent. She made the entire dinner. I was so touched!
It is certainly all appreciated, but truly my very favorite is a note written from the heart. I have taught for 15 years and have kept every note I've received from parents and children.

Gin
 
Another vote for the personalized note...maybe describing a time that your child said something funny/cute/inspiring, etc. about their time with me (the teacher).

I also like the handmade gifts. My favorite two were those knotted fleece blankets made by the student. I have a smallish nap sized one and a full sized one. I am actually making these as gifts this year, myself!

Gifts (books, especially, but also pencils, crayons, markers, etc.) for the classroom are great gifts for us all to share!

Jenn
 
I LOVE when my children draw a picture for me or when they are learning to write they will write whatever letters/words they know and give me their "letter." One little sweetie pie today ran up to me with a drawing and the word daddy on it. I wasn't sure if she was just showing it to me or giving it to me. So I exclaimed how beautiful it was and said, "Wow, you wrote daddy!" She said, "I know, it's for YOUR daddy." It was too cute! She has never met my daddy...tee hee!

As I teacher I don't expect gifts. What I enjoy most, is the joy of the children when they come to school with a gift or drawing they want to give me. They get SOOOOO excited.
Angela:7
 
I don't get gifts really at my current school, but at the risk of sounding ungracious, in the past, food items go right to the teacher lounge.

Best gift I've gotten? A gift card to a bookstore. That way I've been able to buy that CD or book I've always meant to get for my classroom.

Second best gift was a Starbuck's card.

Best-est non-money child gift - students drawings and get well cards after I was diagnosed. One of them even said "Congratulations!" I think the child misunderstood the directions - haha!

Best-est non-money parent gift - a note saying "thank you and here's why..." Those kind of gifts get photocopied and put in my personnel folder, too.

Weirdest gift? A lace camisole - I kid you not!

Susan L.G.
 
To my surprise, I do receive some gifts at my current middle school...It is never expected, but the thought is always appreciated, no matter what the gift. I have to agree that heartfelt notes or cards truly mean the most.

However, if you really want to buy the teacher a little something beyond or instead of the charity idea, I'd say a small gift card to a bookstore or convenience store or just a few homebaked treats rather than a mug or other trinket - those are tough b/c teachers wind up with so many of them.

Cracked up about the lace camisole gift - that *is* bizarre!
 
I'm not the original poster here, but have appreciated the replies from teachers regarding Christmas gifts! Made me feel like I did the right thing as I purchased a book for the classroom library for my 5th grader and a bookstore gift card for my third grader. I think I will write a special note to each as well. I admire and respect teachers so much, and mine have two awesome teachers this year...

Incidentally, I'm a vet and oddly enough I got a nice handshake with a "Merry Christmas" from a regular client and in that handshake was a $20 bill. I've never received a tip like that...I was really uncomfortable and didn't want to take it, but he insisted and I said I'd probably donate it to our local humane society. I'm used to the Christmas chocolates and cards, but this was a first. Did make my day, however, to feel so appreciated! I was all warm and fuzzy all day :)

Heidi
 
Thanks everyone! I kind of suspected a nice note or something with a personal touch would be a good idea on top of the donation. Happy Holidays!

Sally
 
My four girls all had the same fourth grade teacher! Her favorite gift was the sweet smelling creme form Bath and Body Works. It's something you can use and use up!!

Cheryl
 
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