by Ashley
When Hope recently mentioned getting teacher gifts it made me think, “uh oh!” I hadn’t considered or budgeted for teacher gifts!!
Our girls (twin 2.5 year olds) are in the same preschool classroom where they have 1 lead teacher and 2 assistant teachers. These teachers are absolute saints! They have the patience of angels and hearts of gold! I have NO IDEA how they do what they do! It surely takes something special, as I could never ever be so patient day-in and day-out working with 18 toddlers I’m not even related to (makes it a bit easier when they’re your own!)
I was thinking I’d set a super low limit ($5) and buy Starbucks gift cards for each ($15 total) and have the girls draw some pretty pictures and write a nice note expressing our thanks and appreciation for their hard work.
Then on Monday I noticed a new “Wish List” sign up on the classroom door. Basically, its a list of items that they would like to have for the classroom. Example items include: plastic baggies, buttons, bottle caps, pipe cleaners, etc. etc. etc. It made me wonder….would buying some classroom items be considered an appropriate “teacher gift” or would these items be extra/in addition to a teacher gift??? If buying “wish list” items would work I think I’d prefer to do that, as it would probably be cheaper and I would be contributing directly to crafts/games/activities for my girls. But is it “cheap” to not give the teachers their own individual gifts (like the gift cards I was thinking of gifting)???
Just wanted to get some opinions on this regarding what would be reasonable and appropriate.
Thoughts??
Hi, I’m Ashley! Arizonan on paper, Texan at heart. Lover of running, blogging, and all things cheeeeese. Freshly 40, married mother of two, working in academia. Trying to finally (finally!) pay off that ridiculous 6-digit student loan debt!
I think the whole purpose of the Wish List is to give parents practical ideas for holiday gifts. I have a lot of experience with teacher gifts and any type of supply that is not given to the teacher is paid for out of her own pocket. I say …. put together a nice assortment from the Wish List and also write three individual notes thanking the teachers for their loving care of your children.
I agree completely. The wish list is probably their way of trying to avoid getting 18 more coffee mugs this year 🙂 A nice little basket of wish list items and notes to each teacher sounds like just the right idea.
To me it sounds like the wish list is for your daughters classroom. I am sure the teachers would appreciate the items but it is not exactly a gift for them. I would stick with the Starbucks card and note. Just my opinion.
I would buy some of the wish list items and still have the girls make cards. I would add a note of appreciation from myself.
Being so close to Christmas I bet the wish list would be appreciated more than one more mug or something they don’t need. Like the idea of a note to the teachers also. Cheryl
As someone who has worked at an elementary school for almost 20 years and has volunteered in a 1st grade classroom for the last 5, I can’t tell you HOW much the wish list items would be appreciated. As a volunteer I have spend an unknown amount of money (choose to be in denial) on fun things for art projects or practical things like glue sticks – these things are always needed and very little comes from the school district – the majority comes out of the teachers pocket so any help I know for a fact is appreciated!
I had to weight in on this question, first there is a HUGE difference between Elementary school and daycare/preschool. I have worked in both. At the elementary age then the wish list is greatly appreciated and does take the place of part of the teacher gift. However this is not the case in daycare, the wish list is for gifts to the classroom and a teacher gift is expected and appreciated. I love the idea of a small Starbuck’s card.
I am going to be the odd one out and say that I do not think you are obligated to give a gift at all. These people are doing their jobs, a job that you pay them well for. I think the most you “need” to do is a quick note of appreciation. Teacher gifts are just another way to demonstrate who the haves are and who the have nots are. Also, asking for classroom gifts at a paid daycare is a bit ridiculous in my opinion, are those things not part of where your tuition is supposed to go?
I also wanted to add, that if you really feel the need to give a gift , perhaps the best gift you could give is to write a glowing letter of appreciation and give a copy to the day care providers and to whoever oversees them.
I taught older older 2s in a private preschool for over a decade. While it is always nice to receive classroom supplies from a “Wish” list, it’s also nice to be remembered during the holidays. Your idea of a $5 coffee card along with a picture/card made by your child is a perfect gift. (This idea was one of my favorites to receive.) While it’s true that the teachers and assistants get paid, it is generally little above minimum wage. Most teachers put in many more hours planning and implementing craft projects than they are paid for; teaching on any level is truly a labor of love.
Go with the Starbucks cards-as a preschool teacher, they are my favorite gifts to receive, and I put them to good use. (I typically save them for field trip days!)
For teachers, I go with gift cards. I figure the teacher can keep and use for him/herself or re-gift. The salary probably isn’t great so having something to re-gift is a help too. I consider classroom wish lists as quasi-gifts for the teacher. So, I would do the gift card now (with a note) and then give classroom items (as budget allows) in the new year.
As a daycare provider myself a gift is appropriate. Even though they are paid they still put LOTS of effort into your children. I know it isn’t at all popular to say, but the better the parents treat the caregivers the more attention the kids get, not gift wise, but being thoughtful goes a long way. Not that I would ever not give my kids attention but you really do get what you give in a relationship. I think the gift cards would be a great token of appreciation and I would also buy a few dollars of craft stuff and donate that as well.
Since I did just tackle this myself since our last day of our homeschool co op was yesterday, figured I would chime in and let you know what I did. First, between my 4 kids, they have 10 teachers at co op. I established a budget of $5 per teacher and each of the kids had to write a personal thank you note to each teacher telling them what they got out of the class or enjoyed the most. I have to say, all the kids did this without complaint and did a good job.
I originally intended to do Starbucks gift cards; however, I know there are some teachers that take issue some of their policies and one who works there on the side so started second guessing myself. I pulled into the parking lot and there was an Imperial Olive store…which we LOVE. So I decided to jump in and see if they had anything in my budget. They were selling gift backs of 2 oils for $12. I bought 6, going a little over my budget, but the teachers all LOVED them.
(For each class we pay a “supply” fee at the beginning of each semester which the teacher sets herself so we don’t typically have needs of classroom supplies, especially since the classes only meet 1x per week.)
That’s a great alternative to the typical Starbucks gift card!
As a teacher, I can say that the wish list stuff would be nice, but a Starbucks card would be nicer! Especially if it isn’t a huge amount. $5 is the perfect amount, because it is one drink. Not wasted, not a mug, etc.
Personally, I would do a $5 giftcard for each and then one dollar item for the classroom. Yes, a couple more dollars but then you are giving the teacher something she will use and something she wil enjoy.
Oh, I love this idea! : )
I like to give Target gift cards. Anyone can find something they want or need at Target!
Totally agree with this suggestion. Do the $5 Starbucks giftcards for the teachers, but also pick up maybe $5 of stuff from the class wishlist. You should be able to get 2 or 3 things for that amount, especially if you have any 50% off coupons for Michael’s or Joann’s (I think they usually have ones you can print off their website). It will only be a smidge more than you were planning on spending and you’ll be able to make the teachers feel appreciated and supported.
My wife is a teacher. She does get quite a few gifts, and they are appreciated. Honestly, gift cards are by far the preferred item. Even if they are for small amounts, they are still best. To the poster that says teachers are paid anyway, please realize most teachers make around $30-$35K a year and my wife probably puts in 60 hours per week. No one is under any obligation, but again it is a nice gesture if you want to. Get gift cards to places that anyone could use – restaurants, starbucks, Amazon, etc. Gift cards for Dress Barn, etc. are less likely to be used if someone doesn’t shop those stores.