Giving gifts to your Kid's Teachers. Is this a common practice now?

[Bertuzzied]

I have noticed more and more parents are doing this, so i figured we better jump on board and not have our kid neglected. Is this a common thing? When I was a kid we never gave anything to our teachers.

And considering i grew up in the hood in the NE our teachers were just thankful we didn't vandalize their cars.

[undercoverbrother]

Yeah, pretty common. In our house this a "pink" job.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

I have noticed more and more parents are doing this, so i figured we better jump on board and not have our kid neglected. Is this a common thing? When I was a kid we never gave anything to our teachers.

And considering i grew up in the hood in the NE our teachers were just thankful we didn't vandalize their cars.

I think it depends on the age group. Elementary teachers, I would say it probably is common to get the kid's one teacher a gift. High school less so, although some of the high school teacher's I know get a few things, usually at Christmas.

[jammies]

Do them a real favour and take their side when your kids whine about them.

[Rathji]

When I was growing up, I wanted to give it to some of my teachers.

I imagine when my kids are in school, I will continue that desire.

[HalifaxDrunk]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Yeah, pretty common. In our house this a "pink" job.

I don't know what this means but an very intrigued to find out. However, I have a feeling the real explanation will not live up to my imagination.

[Locke]

Remember, its not about how much you know, its about how much you're liked...

[Ashartus]

My wife (a teacher) gets lots of gifts from students at Christmas and year-end. If you're going to get a gift, get something that will be appreciated like a gift card (Starbucks or Chapters are usually a hit) or a small box of decent-quality chocolates. A good rule of thumb is "if 5 different people all gave me this thing as a present, would I keep them all or get rid of them?" Candles used to be a common gift - my wife had boxes of candles in the basement when I met her that she finally donated.

Honestly though, I think most teachers would be quite happy with a card from the student thanking him/her for being such a great teacher - they'll appreciate something personal more than a token gift.

[Bertuzzied]

Just found out from my wife he has 3 teachers!....

I guess $20each is really not that much considering it's now $5k for preschool!

[bomber317]

My wife got gifts from High School kids this year. She said it's definitely not the norm.

They were from kids she was able to help pull through the semester and help them with their study habits. So definitely the exception and not the norm.

[Sliver]

I remember giving my elementary school teachers gifts when I was a kid and I'm 35 now. I think it has always been a common practice.

[Flames89]

Best present, as noted above, is to get your kid to write a thank you card to them. Will mean a lot more.

[MarchHare]

When I was a kid in the 80s, it was common to give your teacher a gift at Christmas. This was only during elementary school, though.

[Canehdianman]

My gift to teacher is paying my property taxes.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

My gift to teacher is paying my property taxes.

Just leave the receipt on her desk.

[cDnStealth]

My mom has been an elementry school teacher for over 25 years and she always gets gifts from her students at Christmas and the end of the year. She likes to tell them not to get her anything or prefers them to donate to a charity instead but she still gets gifts. I don't think it's expected but I know for a fact that they appreciate it.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Ashartus

My wife (a teacher) gets lots of gifts from students at Christmas and year-end. If you're going to get a gift, get something that will be appreciated like a gift card (Starbucks or Chapters are usually a hit) or a small box of decent-quality chocolates. A good rule of thumb is "if 5 different people all gave me this thing as a present, would I keep them all or get rid of them?" Candles used to be a common gift - my wife had boxes of candles in the basement when I met her that she finally donated.

Honestly though, I think most teachers would be quite happy with a card from the student thanking him/her for being such a great teacher - they'll appreciate something personal more than a token gift.

Does she feel slighted if she doesn't receive anything from a child?

[Notorious Honey Badger]

Originally Posted by Canehdianman

My gift to teacher is paying my property taxes.

that's a good attitude

[Nammer403]

I think a box of chocolates around christmas is a nice gesture to show to your kid(s) teacher

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Nammer403

I think a box of chocolates around christmas is a nice gesture to show to your kid(s) teacher

Is that because, much like life, you never know what you're going to get?