Christmas Presents for Teachers: Ideas?

[Owlie]

We got our teachers gifts up until middle school. Nothing huge. Barnes and Noble gift cards ($10-15) and chocolate, unless we thought up a more suitable gift. I remember giving a glass poison dart frog ornament to my third grade teacher (her room was full of froggy things). I baked cookies for all the teachers who wrote my college recommendation letters as well.

[TxDoc]

I just don't think it should be the norm to give teachers presents. Same for office gift-giving. It just doesn't seem right to me because it's like gift giving out of obligation or pressure, and that's pretty much contrary to the notion of giving gifts in the first place. That's not something that I would want to teach a kid.

Yes, I agree with you. I think a gift should be heartfelt and never come out of obligation. The way I see gifting, I usually associate it with gratitude. In fact the few gifts I give on the workplace are to people that I consider truly special and I am very grateful to have as collaborators and friends.

That said, I do recall that one resident once gave me a present (I teach med students and residents). It was after graduation, prior to leaving for another hospital. A coffee mug with a prayer for teachers - I still keep it on my desk, use it everyday for coffee, and think it was a nice and unexpected gesture. I think I recall it because it was a rare instance, and sort of came out of nowhere.

If gifting became the norm, I guess it would lose its spontaneity and meaning.

[channlluv]

I don't think giving teachers gifts is an obligation at all. (If I were keeping score, I'd be disappointed -- 340 students and only ten or so gifts? Come on, whose slacking here?) But it is appreciated, being appreciated for the work we do. And I agree with Kacie and V, the relationships I have with the kids are not at all "office." I just love being around them and hearing them laugh at all the right places when I'm doing read-alouds in funny voices. Such an ego boost! It's purely selfish on my part.



Roxy

[shootingstar]

At least a Christmas card with some heartfelt words from student/parents, would be thoughtful.

I went to school in the 1960's: gifts for teachers from students were extremely rare.

[channlluv]

You know, it might just be the different school environments, too. Every classroom in our school starts every day with appreciations from student to student in what they call Morning Meeting. Teachers reinforce good behavior with vocal appreciations of kids doing the right thing. (I do it in the library, too: "I really appreciate Kara and Michael for sitting down so quickly and quietly in the Story Circle. Thank you, Casey and Alana and Carrie for joining them." Sounds cheesy, I know, but it works.)

We have a big schoolwide Gratitude Celebration at Thanksgiving. We start every faculty meeting with appreciations, too, teacher to teacher. Even our parent council starts their meetings with appreciations. And by that, I mean each person in the circle is invited (not obligated) to share something nice that they noticed someone else doing since they met last, and it can be big or small, but it lets people know that their kindnesses are noticed. It also feels good to be the person calling attention to someone else's good work.

Gifts attached to those messages of appreciation are just tangible recognition of a job well done or someone going out of their way to be kind or helpful.

Not at all an obligation, but very much appreciated.

Now, gifts for family...those often feel like an obligation to me. What is it about sharing a gene pool with someone that seems to make cattiness and sniping okay?

Roxy

[Blueberry]

Now, gifts for family...those often feel like an obligation to me. What is it about sharing a gene pool with someone that seems to make cattiness and sniping okay?

This. This is why I dread the holidays most years.

My mom, for example, insisted on giving presents this year (despite my suggestion that we should all just get together). She sent me a list. I haven't been paid since October. Ummm.....not gonna be buying lots of those "demands" this year.

[Tri Girl]

I love hearing that the kids made the goodies too. Makes it special. Also nice when they are from a rockin' local bakery that you KNOW is going to be good :-)


We don't keep score. We do like to be appreciated. If you don't give your teachers gifts, drop them an email and say thank you. I promise that the feeling of appreciation is SO important to us. It makes us get up in the morning and work harder to know that people understand that we ARE working hard!

And I TOTALLY agree with V. We do not have "office" relationships with children. If you are a teacher for the right reasons, you love the kids....I mean really love them. It is not the same at all as working with adults.

+1

I'm an elementary/middle school librarian and teach 425 kids. I got about a dozen gifts (including one from all the Jr. High parents). Some very cool things (gift cards, pretty scarves, ornaments, cookies, hand drawn pictures, one little plastic baggie with 4 m&m's in it). I loved it ALL!!!!
I did put all the food gifts in the teacher's lounge to share since I'm on WW and trying really hard to lose some weight (I can't eat just one bite, or I'd eat it all). It truly is the thought that counts.

Our parents know we don't expect gifts. I would much rather have e-mails of thanks or cards from the kids or parents than actual gifts. I work hard to interact and teach all those kids and just a note of encouragement/appreciation would make my day! I teach in an upper middle class school so our parents are more able to give than when I taught in a lower socioeconomic school (but even then, kids would give me the sweetest gifts like drawings, etc).

None of us expect it, but we all appreciate the sentiment when it's given. I'd do this job for 25% less (if you can believe that) because I truly love what I do!!

[malkin]

...I think a gift should be heartfelt and never come out of obligation...
If gifting became the norm, I guess it would lose its spontaneity and meaning.

Exactly.

[azfiddle]

I'm a middle school science teacher. Our parents and students are generous, and I received many gifts this year. Lots of home baked goodies and chocolate, some jars of lotion, candles, a light-up ornament necklace, a few Christmas and red apple/teacher knick knacks and some gift cards.

I appreciate each and every gift and offer warm thanks and often a hug when the kids bring them, because they are still learning those social skills and need every possible bit of reinforcement. But since the question was what gift ideas to get for a teacher-

Gift cards to book stores, education supply stores or office supply stores are really useful. Starbucks is nice too. If you know enough about the teacher, making a donation in his/her name to a favorite non-profit would make me feel really great. Or ask the teacher if there is something they could really use in the classroom, but can't afford - many school districts are really in bad shape right now and money is really tight for supplies. You could go in together with several parents for a gift card or to purchase something.

From my point of view- you could skip any of the little knick knacks and holiday or teacher paraphanalia


Hope that's helpful.

[Bike Writer]

This may be coming late since some schools are out now, but any out-of-the-ordinary appreciation is very heartwarming to receive because it isn't expected. I grew up in the 60's and no one ever gave gifts, times change.

I teach Sunday School which is very different than "school," the first time I received a gift I was very surprised. Some parents give gifts and others do not but none are expected or anticipated. I think the Starbucks or movie passes are really a nice treat and make me feel extra special.

I still have a drawing one of the kids gave me on my refrigerator right this moment and it is precious because it was spontaneous. Notes of appreciation are the very best and more than enough reward, but if a parent really feels motivated to give it will be appreciated whatever it is.