Holiday Gifts for Teachers

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2006
Holiday Gifts for Teachers
9
Wed, 11-22-2006 - 9:57am
Do you give Holiday gifts to your 8th Grade children's teachers?
I don't see them so I haven't bothered to give any gifts. Some of my DD's friends give a gift, some don't. I guess it's personal preference. She's graduating this year, does that make a difference?

What do you (or your kids) do about holiday teacher gifting for "older" kids??
Thanks!
Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
Wed, 11-22-2006 - 10:11am

DS is in 9th this year, and he'll be giving Panera (here, it's St. Louis Bread Co) cards to the teachers. I have two SILs who are teachers (8th and HS) and they get gifts; love the gift cards best.

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2006
Wed, 11-22-2006 - 10:24am
I like that place "Panera" too (sp?).
How much do you spend for each "gift card"? (I think gift cards are the only way to go, but it can get expensive if you spend $20 for 5 teachers.
How much do you spend for each 'gift card' and for how many teachers?
I think I would like to give a gift, but hesitate to spend $100 for them?
Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
Wed, 11-22-2006 - 10:28am

We're doing $10 cards, and dh's sisters also set up a 'dipping day' where we bring oreos and pretzels and Ritz and such to dip in chocolate (white and milk), and usually put together small bags of those to go along with the cards. If ds counted his PE teachers, we'd be having to do a ton of gift cards - usually they just get the dipped treats. But I am doing cards to his counselor and the 'reading specialist' as they've been very helpful to us this year.

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Wed, 11-22-2006 - 10:44am

For female teacher, I typically give the small tubes of anti-bacterial hand lotion from Bath & Body Works. They're only $3-4 each, they're often on sale and the scents are really great. I put a tube in a cellophane gift bag and tie it up with pretty ribbon or raffia and gift card and it looks quite festive. I love these lotions and most everybody seems to as well.

For male teachers, I usually give a small package of homemade fudge, wrapped up in a similar fashion.

Julie

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-1999
Fri, 11-24-2006 - 5:18pm

I like the idea of dipping your own desserts--I never thought of that before and you could put sprinkles or something like that on there too. I should tell my DD because she likes to make homemade gifts. One year, she made a layered cookie mix in a glass jar--you can buy them already made, but it's nicer to make it yourself.

I have been giving the gift to the main teacher in elem. school. this year my DS is in 5th grade and he has 2 main teachers who are women in their 20's so I will get them something. As soon as they are in h.s., I stop buying because they have too many teachers. My DD will get a teacher a little gift if she likes them. This year she is buying gifts for the teachers who are writing her college recommendation letters.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2006
Sun, 11-26-2006 - 6:38am
After elementary school we stopped that unless they expressed that they would like to for a favorite teacher. After all they don't stay in one room anymore so how many gifts would you be expected to buy? Also, the teachers don't expect it nor necessarily want it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2006
Sun, 11-26-2006 - 9:40pm
when i was in elementary my mom made cheesecakes for my teachers for holidays (she makes really good cheesecakes) and she still does it for my little sister's teachers and she did it for my brother's teachers when he was in elementary too. but when you hit middle school, you kind of stop caring because you only have teachers for 40 minutes a day
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2000
Sun, 11-26-2006 - 10:08pm

I only gave gifts to the boys' grade school teachers (grade K-4).

Pam
Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 11-27-2006 - 12:01pm

Typically, after primary school, teacher gifts fall by the wayside, however, there have been a few *select* teachers we've given gifts to over the years. You know, those teachers who have genuinely cared if my dd17 made the grade or took thier personal time to tutor her or help her catch up in class. In 8th grade she had this awesome SS teacher who became her mentor in a way. He just always managed to find something positive to say to her or make her feel like even the smallest achievements made a difference. He was cheering for her and I think in today's public schools its difficult for teachers to have the time and energy to do so, what, with crowded classes, problem kids, etc.

Anyway, I usually give home baked items the teacher can share with his/her family or co-workers. I make a slew of sweetbreads/quickbreads each year along with a dozens of varieties of cookies - I buy inexpensive holiday plates at the dollar store and load 'em up and wrap it in cellophane. DD makes a card. This year we bought the director of her school a small menorah and dd bought her a special card as well. She's very excited to give the director this gift - I'm a little surprised because when dd first switched schools she didn't care for the director, but she's grown to love and respect her. We've also given candles over the years, and I once gave the secretaries at the middle school a gift certificate to lunch - it was $50, but that was an especially difficult year for Dd17 and I was on the phone with them almost every day! lol