End of School Year Gifts for Teachers?

This was discussed yesterday here on mamapedia.. I think the Gift Cards are great..

http://www.mamapedia.com/questions/9161293278681890817

I blogged about this a while ago http://heyyougetreal.com/momblog/teacher-gifts/

Hope it helps

B.
Family Success Coach
retired school teacher

Nope not too much at all. Your gift if you are able to afford this, is very kind. I find teacher love anything when they are thought of and most just appreciate the Thank you the most.

I usually write a letter for the teachers that they can keep in their folders - I make a copy for the administration, too. All it costs me is a little time. :-)
The teachers like it and they can use it come raise time.
LBC

Former HS teacher here....$25 is a bit much, unless the teachers have done something extraordinary for your child (private tutoring, difficult or time consuming adjustments for special needs, etc). Remember, other parents will be giving gifts as well. I recommend avoiding restaurant cards, unless you know it is the teacher's favorite restaurant. I once got a gift card to a restaurant near the school, I was very grateful, but I lived 45 minutes away....so, 4 years later, I still have a balance on the card.
I HIGHLY recommend cards to staples, office depot, a school supply store, wawa, or a gas card (make sure there is a station near the school, so you know they will be able to use it).
My favorite gift was a card with a 5 pack of scratch off lotto tickets. I didn't win, but it was fun & thought ful & if I did win, it would have been very useful!

It's plenty. Otherwise, organize the other parents and have everyone chip in for one gift card for either a spa day or a store with lots of different things (large boutiques or a department store).

I can tell you, as a former teacher and as someone with many teacher friends, that the two things teachers DON'T need are lots of little knick-knacks that say "World's Best Teacher" or something handmade by your child that they need to display. After several years of teaching, they are overwhelmed. As much as they loved your kids, they cannot keep up with endless personal items. An exception MIGHT be a flower pot (hand-decorated) with a plant in it - at least it's practical.

School supplies are nice and a lot of teachers do have to spend their own money when budgets are tight, but they truly love something that is just for THEM and not for the classroom.

Sounds great! I always give gift certificates and notes.

I usually do $10-$15 gift cards to Subway/Papa Johns/Starbucks/Wendy's/Target

I gave a teacher a $25 gift card once and it overwhelmed her.

Well, it would be the max because when I gave $50, it overwhelmed/creeped people out. She has all A's so I didn't worry about it looking like a bribe.

That sounds great! Although, don't feel like you have to do $25. I know teachers appreciate school supplies, but I think the teacher should be treated to something they wouldn't ordinarily buy for themselves. That's why I do like to get gift cards to restaurants, Starbucks, cold stone creamery, etc. Teachers make so many sacrifices for our kids. I guess I feel like this should be one time when it's a gift just for them, I chance for them to be selfish.

I am a teacher and no, a $25 gift card is not too little. It is actually very generous and you wouldn't even have to do that much if you didn't want. That would be a wonderful gift to your daughter's teacher. Teachers always appreciate getting things they can use in the classroom (sticky notes, stickers for elementary school teachers, markers, etc) since the cost of those things usually come out of their pocket. Gift cards to their favorite teacher supply stores and restaurants are also great gifts. GC to teacher supply stores help save them money from coming out of their own pocket and GC to their favorite restaurants gives them money to go focus on themselves for a change... which is ALWAYS nice for anyone.

$25 is very generous! As a teacher I get gift cards ranging from $5-$30. Gift cards are our favorite, so it will be very appreciated!

A $25 gift card is awesome!

A lot of teachers don't like school supplies, as another poster suggested. That's not a gift for the teacher. It's a gift for the students to use, unless of course the teacher is doling out her own money to buy the supplies which is highly unlikely in preschool.

What ever happened to good old school supplies?

No that is not too little. That is more than I would give. She would get more like a gift card to a fast food restaraunt. Like $10

http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/04/thanks-latte.html - Cute Idea for a gift card to Starbucks! We just did this one for my son's two preschool teachers for teacher appreciation week with a FIVE dollar gift card - a cuppa joe, a thank you for a job well done. (He's only been there 3 months).

More fun ideas: http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/04/you-gotta-see-this...

Hi, J.:
That is a very nice gift.
How many do you have to buy?
Can you afford all that?
Just wondering.
D.