I feel like giving a gift card is like giving cash but just forcing them to spend it in a particular place/store. Would it be offensive to give just cash.
I can present it with a heartfelt thank you and the money folded creatively to form maybe a dress with something that says treat yourself to something fabulous or something along those lines. Would that make it less of a no-no?
I'm glad I asked. I sure had no idea it was even against the rules. Thanks for the link =).
When I give a teacher a gift card I want them to buy something special for themselves and not spend it at the gas pump or mini mart which is how cash would be spent-put straight in the wallet to be used wherever. If you want her to have money she can spend anywhere you can always get a VISA gift card.
I guess I buy gift cards because I'm hoping it will be a "treat" for the teacher. I've done Barnes and Noble, Cold Stone Creamery, Starbucks. I guess I think cash would be used to buy milk or something practical. I'm hoping they really do treat themselves, because they deserve it.
When I get cash for my birthday, I don't always think about getting something for me (sometimes I get something for my kids). When I get a gift card, I definitely get something for me, and as I'm getting it there's this guilty smile and think, "Hey, it's my birthday. I deserve a treat."
As I stood in front of the gift card kiosk wondering which gift card would be appropriate, I had a vision of the teachers sitting in the teachers lounge trading cards.
I would think that some districts would have rules against this sort of thing, and the teacher may not be able to accept it. Whatever your decision, I would check with the office and see if it is allowed.
I had a similar question a few days ago an I believe it was mentioned that teaches can't accept cash.
Educationmom gave some good tips about this, here's the link to that:
http://educationmom.com/2012/06/01/em-gem-12-what-a-teach...
