Teacher gifts
 

A comment under another thread made me wonder about the best teacher gifts in today's world. She mentioned she had to buy many of the supplies for her classroom out of her personal money. I am thinking that cash or a gift card would be better appreciated than a home made item. What do you think?

Why do we have to buy teachers gifts?

When my kids were younger and we did teacher gifts, a parent would often ask around to the other parents if anyone wanted to go in on a gift card for the teacher. Any amount was okay, so no pressure on those for whom money was tight. Sometimes the card was to a specific store the teacher would like (REI for a teacher who hiked, a bead store for another) and sometimes generic like Costco or Starbucks. All who gave were listed on the card.

Any parents who preferred to do something separate and personal were welcome to do that as well. It seemed to work out...

For really special teachers, I made something. I am working on two lap quilts right now for teachers that have really helped my daughter. These will probably be the last for teachers, though.

I would bet a gift card to Staples or Office Depot would be very appreciated.

It has always been the custom in my family to give the children's teachers gifts at special times of the year - Christmas, end of the year, birthday, etc. I still have one grandchild in the 5th grade. So I only give a teacher's gift when my DIL doesn't give one. I have frequently given boxes of school supplies. I have another DIL who teaches 5th grade in another city who spends about $500 a year out of her purse on things she needs in her room that used to be supplied but are no longer, like Kleenex and copy paper.

I didn't by teachers gifts when my kids were little but knowing teachers now, I think a gift card would be good. I saw a lot of kids come in with teacher mugs and ornaments. Seriously, how many mugs and ornaments can one person use. Give something they can use and use up. Gift cards for supplies or a night out to dinner or a movie would be nice. I did make pillow cushions for the rocking chairs for each of the kids teachers one year. I had to sit in those rockers also and they were hard and uncomfortable. Both teachers really appreciated them.

We used to give gift cards. There used to be a store here that sold items geared towards the classroom. It was open to everyone but teachers got a discount so it was better to give them a gift card to there rather than buying.

Also, gift card to the theater or a nice restaurant. Make sure it's enough for at least two people.

The teachers in public school have it rough. Too many students per teacher and budget cuts. They are expected to do more and make do with less. I used to volunteer at the schools. Without volunteers I don't know how the schools could stay in business.

Even before I retired, I would take a vacation day to help with field trips. If both boys had field trip on the same day, DH and I would both take a vacation day. I don't think we ever missed a field trip.

I know, I got on my soap box. I just wished more parents found time to volunteer even if its just one time a year for an hour or two. It shows the children that you care about them and gives you a chance to know their teachers.

My sister is a teacher. All i hear from her is how much she is underpaid.
well...she maakes over$100,000.00 a year. This is a public school, she teaches
At a jr/sr high school.
She gets extra for lunch, or parking lot duty. Also if she coaches.
She get$100.00/game for one hr. Of umpiring.
And...she cant get fired either, she has tenure(more thaan three yrs).

When my son was in school, i would make a collection and buy a visa gift card.
Also my son would make the teacher a personalizd pointer.
a 3/8" dowel he would paint pencil yellow, sharpen on end to a point, paint oter end pink
And put the name on the pencil. Teachers always asked for that.

Dang, teachers get paid alot in NY. In Kentucky the wages are no where near that.

My SIL is a 3rd grade teacher and they spend quite a bit out of pocket for supplies that aren't provided by the districts. If they run out of paper towards the end of the school term she also has to buy that for worksheets.

Some schools don't allow cash or cash gift cards as it appears to be a "bribe" to the teachers where a personalized gift is an expression of appreciation for the dedication shown by the teachers. Some districts even have placed a dollar limit on what gifts can be accepted.

No one "has" to give a gift and the teachers don't hold it against the ones that don't give one and don't give special recognition to the ones that do. My SIL would much rather get a homemade card or a letter saying how much the student has learned/enjoyed being in the class than "another mug".

When my sons were in elementary school, we would give several boxes of kleenex or several reams of paper at various times. Now, germix would be a good thing to provide too.

Teachers in my area do not make six figures. We also aren't paid overtime like most are in the corporate world either. I could grade papers until midnight at my desk every night and not make a single dime more. By mid-October, my students are out of notebook paper, so I stock up on spiral notebooks by the cases in August because my students will go through them in a school year. The last several years, my students have stopped bringing in tissues, so I have purchased at least $50 in tissues each year. I went through over three grosses (432) of pencils by the 1st of December last year and had to order more. I teach manners, respect, tolerance, appropriate dress, social skills, and vocabulary, along with my core subject, English. Almost monthly, I'm cursed out by students, as well as, parents who aren't doing their job in the first place and wonder why I'm bothering them about their child. And, the government is thinking about basing my salary on their child's test scores.

I still think what I do is important. I don't expect nor receive many gifts from my students, since I teach middle school and it just isn't cool by then to give teachers gifts, plus many of our students don't get much themselves around the holidays. Money is very tight for many of our families and I would much rather my students come to school with their tummies full, than give me gifts. I do love when my students come back to see me several years down the road to tell me they are finishing up high school or doing well in college. That really makes everything I do worth while.

Thank you out there for thinking about us teachers.

My daughter is a kindergarten teacher She teaches a class of 28 children 3 of them are special needs. She does not make a lot of money. She does work from 7;30 in morning to AT LEAST 4;30 during parent teacher confrences she works untill 9:00 pm She appre iates anything the parents give her but what she appreciates the most is parents help even 1 hour means a lot. that is the best gift anyone could give her school supplies would be next on her list. Snacks are rezally appreciated as many parents do not provide a snack for there children so she buys out of her pocket so every child can have an afternoon snack so snack so nutretional food not junk food is really appreciated by her.

I know a couple of teachers who would love to teach where your sister does. but of course they teach in Ga

I made a pillow with teachers name on it and added a pocket for a book, so she can either relax at home and read or sit with class comfortable and pull out the book she choice to read that day from the pocket on the pillow. Real easy. Jan

As a teacher, I just had to write. THANK YOU to all out there who appreciate teachers! I worked so hard to meet each child's needs and to make each year a great year filled with learning experiences! I paid for so many classroom supplies and all the crafts projects we did. I bought tons of books for the classroom library. Most all the teachers I know did the same things. That's why it hurt a bit to see one person write, "why do we have to buy teachers gifts?" The answer is "you don't" but why would you not want to thank and support the person who spends all day helping, teaching and caring for your child? Plus, don't you want to teach your child to be kind and thoughtful? BTW, I've taught in 4 states and never made anywhere remotely near what the writer from Long Island said!

For gifts I loved gift certificates to book stores, movies or restaurants. I never wanted my families to spend a lot of money, so having families do a group gift works well. Yes, the Kleenex and paper and crayons are very much appreciated, but they are not personal. My most treasured gifts however, we're the personal notes from kids and parents. Those meant the world to me.

I would definitely avoid coffee mugs, ornaments and baked goods. Also, if the school had a fundraiser selling candles or candy or gift wrap, please avoid these items....we teachers already bought a ton of it when the kids were selling it! Since all of us here are quilters, place mats and table runners are great, as are seasonal (non religious) wall hangings for the classroom. Another great idea for those who are clever would be a quilted hanging to go outside the classroom door saying the teacher's name (skip the room number and grade since they may change over the years).

Sorry to be so long, but I just want to thank all parents and grandparents out there who volunteer, write kind notes, buy classroom supplies, go on field trips, or send in gifts. Your support means the world to your child's teacher!

TanyaL;5513557]A comment under another thread made me wonder about the best teacher gifts in today's world. She mentioned she had to buy many of the supplies for her classroom out of her personal money. I am thinking that cash or a gift card would be better appreciated than a home made item. What do you think?[/QUOTE]

Lynnie, it might seem your sister is making a lot of money, but she is probably working a lot of overtime and doing extra activities, probably working in the summer enrichment activities for the school district. She must be working in the big city. So cut her some slack. I just retired after 34 years and did not work as much extra as she did but I did before school enrichment and afterschool activities and I worked in the summer also. Maybe she should quit complaining an be thankful that she has a lot of activities to choose from to make extra money.Parents and officials are asking for a longer day and more activities and these require money.
As for gifts, I learn never look a gift horse in the mouth , be thankful for what you get. I know when I am appreciated by parents and when they tell me that their cjild is excited about math and don't want to miss school, that's my thanks.

I am not making 6 figures as a teacher but I bet it costs a lot more to live in NY than where I live. I usually spend $1000-$2000 every year to supplement my classroom budget and supplies. I do it for my students, not for public recognition. However, appreciation is always nice!

Teacher Gifts
 

For a teachers Xmas gift, my mom and I would ride the bus downtown in OKC to Halliburtans Dept. Store. Ask the clerk to get out several pair of hose from inside the glass counter. They would discuss the color, sheerness, seemless or not, this selection was tedious work. Finally the hose were wrapped up and off to Stovers Candy Store where I picked out a bag of their once famous flavored stick candy. Which kept me quiet and in my seat on the bus ride home.

I wish I knew where to send crafts supplies. I had several boxes of yarn, books, hoops, wood bead, alpha beads from previous craft projects. I asked a person that worked in a local school and she told me the teachers did not want my 'junk'.
I donated it to a thrift shop and the ladies were very excited to get the items. They were not bits and pieces but full bags of bead, skeins of yarn, etc. -I tend to over by when I do crafts. I wish I had know some of the teachers here on the board as I would have paid the shipping to give them the items.
I also have the same problem with my quilts-my family doesn't want them and I love to design. I was hoping to give them as lap quilts to VN and retirement homes but have been shut down every time I ask, Same for my books.
Oh well-some one will want them

As a retired teacher I'd like to tell you how I feel. While a gift card to an office supply store would have been greatly appreciated by me, a home-made personal gift was even better! Every Christmas I still hang on my tree several ornaments handmade by parents/children. One of my faves- a small quilted ornament! Back then I had no idea I would become a quilter in my retirement, but I loved it even then. Having said that, I must tell you, when we moved to our retirement home, none of the dollar store items came!!!! (Side story- had a garage sale once. Lady came over and whispered, "Where do you teach?" When I asked her how she knew I was a teacher, she whispered, "Because I got all those tacky little things on your ten-cent table as Christmas gifts, too!")

Well.......actually.......I'm a teacher and would rather have a WalMart or Target card or maybe a Visa giftcard. Why? Because the same stuff I can get at Staples or Office Depot, I can get for a lot less at WalMart and thus get more stuff. Our PTA gave us all $25 giftcards to Staples last year and while I was grateful for it, I hated paying so much more at Staples when I knew I could get the same pens and markers for a whole lot less 1/2 mile away at WallyWorld. I spend about $250 a year on my classroom, by the way. I get very little from the school system....not tissues, dry-erase markers, staples and stapler, or anything to use with the kids like crayons or other coloring supplies, notebook paper for when they don't bring any or anything else. Either I buy what I need, I get parent donations or I do without. I love what I do but this isn't my favorite part of the job! :)

I'm in GA and have taught 14 years. I have a Masters degree too. I have taken pay cuts totaling just over 10% in the last two years and probably another one this year. I make just over 50K per year. I am grateful for donations of ANYTHING to my classroom and prefer it over personal stuff so I don't have to go buy the classroom stuff myself. I agree with another writer; personal notes of thanks, telling me what your child has enjoyed about me and my teaching, are worth the most to me and cost basically nothing. They're worth even more if the child writes them.

i can just imagine all the crap a teacher could get from well-meaning parents and children every year, year after year. if a gift must be given, let it be a consumable and impersonal, like a gift card.

Many thanks to those of you who value teachers and want to give us something, We really don't expect anything but we appreciate all parents do to make our job esier.

I also don't make anywhere near a 6-figure salary. I teach in a state that is ranked between 48th and 49th in the nation in teacher pay. My husband just retired from teaching this year and is substituting. We both love what we do, although it gets more difficult every year. Kids just aren't the same as they were when we started, and teachers aren't valued like they once were.

As for your question, I think a gift certificate would be very much appreciated. The public doesn't realize just how much teachers spend out of their own pockets. So far, since August, I have spent over $300 school supplies for those children who were unable to bring in any, as well as simple decorations for the classroom and a few books for implementing new content standards. And we didn't ask for much-our list for my grade level included pencils, notebook paper, a spiral notebook, a composition book, and some kind of binder to keep their papers and materials organized. I'm always surprised, and disappointed, at the number of parents who could afford to purchase these supplies, but choose not to because "the school" can buy them.

But what I've valued the most over the years are the kind notes from both parents, students, and administrators. I've held on to every one of them, and when I've had a bad day, I often pull them out and read a few to remind me of why I walk into that classroom every day.

YES! Definitely go with a gift card. Cash cannot be accepted by public school teachers, at least in any of the 5 states I taught in. Gift cards are always acceptable and appreciated for the freedom of choosing something one needs or wants rather than something one has or doesn't need/want. And a vase filled with flowers is always wonderful!

When my kids where young, I was a school volunteer and got to know quite a few teachers, personally. My daughter now teaches Kindergarten. Gift cards are wonderful but like others have said, choose WalMart or Target.
Other ideas -
A book for the classroom (appropriate reading level)
Small note cards (for teacher to thank kids/parents for gifts)
Post-it notes (large enough for teacher to write a note, to stick to a paper or folder)

Some schools have Teacher Wish Lists, so you might also want to see if your school has one.

my youngest daughter has taught for 6 yrs in N.C. and she doesn't make $40,000 a yr. in fact i think she said this last yr was actually the lst yr that she recieved a cash increase in her salary. AND she spends about $500 out of her pocket or my pocket every yr on supplies. walmart gift cards would be greatly appreciated. that's usually where she catches her sales for school supplies.

I taught for 32 years and never made above 55,000 a year. I also was not paid extra for either of the master's degrees that I earned. I had extra duty, stayed until 5 PM most days and got to school early. I also bought most of my supplies. Many a time I ate lunch at my desk while I helped a struggling student. I showed up 2 weeks before school started in August to get my room ready and stayed a week later after school to close it down, and don't forget the extra in-service I went to (at my expense) in the summer. I LOVED IT!

As a teacher gift, school supplies are great---pencils, notebook paper, gift cards. One year I got a zip lock bag of pecans. I know the kids loved making cookies, but I saw what they did with their hands, ugh! Please, no more mugs.

The schools in our area have a list of supplies to bring. It's just not pencil and paper anymore. It's baby wipes, kleenex, sanitizers, glue sticks, etc. and they even list the brands of the items you are to bring. I'm sure many students in some areas are unable to provide all they are to have but some parents just don't want to spend their money on those things. Guess they never should of had children then. I bought all the supplies that my grandchildren needed this year for their parents. They were to bring 3 boxes of kleenex and I bought the huge boxes 280 in a box and sent 2 boxes. The teacher told my daughter they needed three boxes not 2. I thought I was really helping out by buying great tissues in huge boxes, rather than 70 count of cheap stuff. Honestly, your damned if you do and damned if you don't. I love to give a helping hand but don't want to give a hand out to everyyone who has their hand out. I just try to do what I can. My husband and I have never gone to a movie or had a vacation and have lived very simple so I can help others. Sometimes people getting in trouble buying what they "want" and not what they "need." Quilting is my downfall but it's an innocent vice.

Don't you think that Teachers do things that we don't or can't do for our own kids. Not sure in Canada, but in the USA Teachers are NOT paid like they should be. So giving a Teacher a gift to say THANK YOU for helping my child learn to read, etc...... Is only a small thing. I have friends who are still Teachers and they remember kids from years before, sometimes the kids return to say HI or let the Teacher know how much they helped, etc..... A gift is given from the HEART and most Teachers teach from the HEART too, they sure don't do it for the MONEY!!!!!!

I am in Ohio. We don't have a lot of supplies in our room either. I purchase all of the sale school supplies from the back to school sales and try to get enough for the school year. The schools around here have cut and cut the school budgets. They keep cutting teachers and aides. We have more and more kids in our rooms with no air conditioning. The people in the board office sit in their offices with sweaters on but they can't afford to air condition the classrooms. All of the teachers and aides are stressed out because the state keeps coming down with more and mandates of things we need to do with no more money.

AS a retired teacher, I will add that donating supplies to the classroom or to a local charity in my name was always the most appreciated gift. When I retired, I probably had over 60 mugs given to me. The most frequently given gifts were coffee cups, Christmas ornaments, Bath and Body Works and candy.
I was always so grateful when parents sent in notebook paper and extra pencils for those children whose parents did not or would not buy them supplies. Sometimes parents worked at a business where pencils were given out to customers. One lady always inquired how I was doing with pencils and would send in a box of several hundred when we ran low. I can't tell you how much I appreciated her thoughtfulness. Notebook paper was also a huge gift for us. Extra crayons, checking pens, scissors, paperback dictionaries and an atlas were wonderful. When we had book fairs, so many would donate paperback books to our classroom.
I was soooo very grateful for all these wonderful gifts from my parents and grandparents. I taught in Kentucky and did not make the gigantic salaries they pay in some states.
I was also extremely grateful to the parents and room mothers who would plan our holiday parties and provide refreshments and some form of entertainment. Another big gift is a gift of your time. Some of my parents were faithful about coming in to lead book discussion groups, listen to a child read or help another with multiplication facts. We even had Foster Grandparents who came to our school to help our children. They were blessings to our classrooms. It does take a Village to get the job done!

Art teachers are underfunded too!
 

My art teacher at the school where I teach would have absolutely LOVED to have your beads, yarn and whatnot. When the time is right to get rid of your quilts and books, I'll be glad to help you find deserving homes for them. It's important to keep the cycle going by exposing our kids to good examples of creativity!

I taught for 37 years and didn't make near the six figure amount mentioned in the earlier post...even with a double Master's degree plus another 30 hours of graduate credit. No one except maybe a few superintendents of some giant school districts earn that much around here.

I appreciated any gift given to me, but those I cherish the most were the notes of thanks I received from parents over all those years. I used to pull those out on really difficult days to help boost my spirits and keep me going. I still have them even though I've been retired for two years. Just let the teachers who deserve it know that you appreciate their efforts.:)

I agree wholeheartedly with you. I think all teachers are underpaid. I didn't have to buy all that extra stuff when my children were in school. But with the 13 grandchildrens I do my best to make sure they have everything on their supply list plus more. I have a friend that was a teacher, some parents can't afford to buy everything the child needs for school. If I can pitch in and help buy I do. When the school have their fall carnival I try to make quick and easy stuff to sell and donates the funds to teachers. Wal-mart now have prepaid Visa Cards that can be used anywhere. When a child has everything they need for school they can concentrate better on their school work. Yes, there are some teachers that I have made special gifts just to show appreciation. That's why we buy gifts for the teachers.

No one HAS to buy anyone a gift. I gift is a gift. For a teacher it is a sign of appreciation. Little gifts are the most appropriate......in the old days a hankie or potholder or pen wipe, or some flowers were the kinds of tokens presented to loved teachers. One year my fourth grader gave his teachers 4 oz jars of jam he and I made with wild strawberries we picked.

There is a divergence of thoughts here: gifts vs. classroom supplies. Gifts are personal, classroom supplies are shared by the children. I cannot tell you how many boxes of facial tissues, for example, I purchased during my teaching career. Our school budget did not extend to such supplies. When our PTO could, they donated $10 per semester to help. Our excess levy failed and pencils, crayons and other supplies dried up. Ask a teacher what is needed.........

As far as gifts go, the well-squeezed handful of daffodils in April, the box of instant cocoa packets to tuck in my desk drawer, the jar of newts or frog spawn for our classroom aquarium, the homemade pencil holder, the little Christmas towel, the gracious help at classroom parties, and the note of appreciation could never be topped by a box store card.

P.S. About all those mugs---my little ones were proud when the mug they gave me became one of the supply cart caddies, just the right size for a box of markers or an assortment of crayons to carry to the table or desk for work or art.

Aa tually she doesnt work o.t. she says she gi es multiple guess tests with either 10 or 25 questions so she doesnt ha e to mark mu h.
She has a out17 to 20 kids in her class. When i went to s hool, i had 50 kids in the lass and we listenrd to the tea her.

On long island the law enforcement makes over six figurez after three yeR also. My dh has been at his job for over 25 yrs. Hed be happy to make what most of you teachers do.he also has a master degree.here on the island, 25 yrs ago, my ex, a corre tion officer made maoew than my dh makes now. After five years in the corre tions facility, he made over $100,000.
And no, my son and i did not see a penny of it. Cost of living here is a bit more. Gas today was $4.39/gal
we have a condo1000sf cost 2 1/2 yrs ago was about $250,000.00 and we had to replace two bathrooms before it was liveable. Taxes for us are low, a out $5,000.00. Things are tiht here, as in any place.
Oh...my sister tea hes in the Hamptons.

I have seen some good suggestions on here for teacher gifts, and since I have a daughter that teaches in Mississippi school system, I have seen her have her own children's uniforms clean and pressed, their outgrown coats and jackets and even their tennis shoes to give to needy children in her classroom. That is in addition to school supplies and snacks she provides for them.

So, I would say school supplies or a money card to any store would be much appreciated.

There are so many good thoughts in this thread on this subject. I retired after 31 years of teaching in 5 states. Salaries vary wildly and most are dictated by cost of living issues.

The best gifts aren't gifts, as several have mentioned. Although gift cards and supplies are terrific to receive; don't get me wrong. Those gifts help in so many ways, as does volunteering.

But my best gifts? Parents and students who stay in contact to let me know how "my" student is doing...even afer I moved all the way across the country! That's my best gift...to know that I did my part in educating a future productive citizen. Quite a few have graduated from universities and two are military pilots! (I taught 2nd grade, so keeping in touch all those school years is something exciting to me.)

To those of you who volunteer in the schools and donate supplies and gift cards, bless you. Your example of caring for others is being watched by the small children in your care. They will remember. Those lessons will transfer. And if there's a teacher who really went the extra mile, it's never too late to send a note telling how much the teacher helped. (Most schools will be kind enough to forward those letters if the teacher is out of area.) :o Off the soapbox...

Perhaps nursing homes or donate to the local humane society to be sold as a fundraiser and not for the doggies and kitties to use. Perhaps Quilts of Valor would like your quilts. If you were closer to me, I would ask for a donation for the veterans or Wounded Warriors which might be avenue to check out also - Wounded Warrior Project.