School Teacher Christmas Present: Yes or No (Page 2)

Yes, but who's to say it works the other way around? I think having "your" holiday be the majority makes it a bit different.

And I think that in a school, where religion is often a touchy subject (unless it is a religious school), it's best to avoid offending...

A couple of my teacher friends have liked gift cards to school supply stores. They are often dipping into their own pockets to pay for supplies for the classroom. Consider a plate of baked goodies and a gift card to Office Depot or a local teacher supply store. If several parents are willing to get together you could give a larger gift card.

Agreed!  I really like that idea.

We made a lot of homemade things for our teachers when I was younger - cookies, ornaments.  I have much younger siblings who usually give gift cards to Starbucks or Target (unless they know the teacher well).  Their classes have also contributed money towards a big gift card.

When JWKMH was first teaching, she was the cute young French teacher and only a few years older than her students.  Some of the gifts from her male students were sweet but awkward.   About teaching, she said she always liked the weird ones.  I said ,  "Unh.  Wa-Wa-what?"  An amazing number of her former students teach French or work for French companies and use their language skills at work.  She must have been very good. 

Christmas gifts in general are difficult to buy, especially for the teacher.  We gave cards with money.  It seemed to work out fine.

TW

Well, it's a gift, if someone doesnt like it, then throw it away or pass it to someone else! It is weird how somebody might be offended by GIVING something to them? I thought ppl get offended when someone wants to TAKE AWAY something from them? Anyway, whats quoted up there, its true.

So when did we start giving gifts to teachers?   Granted, it was 30 years ago and my memory is not what it was, but I don't think our mom ever sent a gift to a teacher unless we knew them outside of the class room and they were on my mom's list to get a baked good.

But then again, I have no kids and I am planing to give a gift to our mail carrier for tolerating our dog.

My tree has a number of ornaments that students have made or maybe purchased and then personalized.  Its a nice way for me to remember them all every year at the holidays.  For my students for xmas I buy ornaments and personalize them with their name, the year and my name. 

I love baked goods too!!  I don't bake as much now that I'm on my own - so it's nice to have treats for the holidays.

I know it's tough at the holidays and I hope parents don't feel they have to buy things - but I really appreciate the gesture.  It's nice to know they care.  *smile*

tolerating your dog vesrses tolerating my children... what's the difference?  And not to be critical sis but ahem it's been closer to 35 since elementary school years for you.

edit to add:  only a sister can say that to her sister (lovingly of course)

so do you stop giving gifts at elementary school?   And the difference is that the teacher has a job that is, by definition, to tolerate kids.  I am just lucky that our mail lady hasn't just told us that she won't come to our door - she goes beyond her job description.

and I didn't say you shouldn't give gifts to the teachers - just that I don't remember it being done all the time.   And - I am just commenting on the "gift obligation" we now have to everyone this time of year is driven by commercialism.