Should I buy end of the year gifts for all my daughters teachers??

Question

My daughter is in kindergarten and has a teacher and a teachers assistant, but she also has 8 additional teachers (music,art,computers,etc...)

Should I just buy a little something for her two main teachers or should I buy them all a little something.

Aside from her main teacher I only have met 3 of her other teachers and I like them, the rest I have never met.I don't want to leave anyone out but I don't want to brake the bank on teachers that I do not know and that won't remember who gave them what a week later. HELP !!!!

Any Ideas on good gifts? I was thinking bath and body stuff or maybe a nice food gift??

Answer 1

Specialists..teachers of art, music, phys ed etc., don't often get the recognition that classroom teachers do.  I think it would be wonderful for you to include them.  Any small token is very appreciated.  Perhaps you could speak to the principal and arrange to make a luncheon for them, or order them up a pizza party!

Answer 2

for the teacher and assistant it is a must I feel. But for the rest you can do what I do. I get those little packs of 3 Ferraro rocher (sp?) wrap them up and the kids give them. It doesn't cost too much but they don't tend to get anything and it lets them know you appreciate them

Answer 3

To be honest, just a note or card of thanks is just as good and often more valued. It's certainly cheaper!

My wife is a teacher and although she appreciates the sentiment behind the gifts, they often go straight into the bag for the charity shop or get given away to friends and relatives. We've got more tea mugs than we need, neither of us is much into chocolate or biscuits and we both outgrew cuddly toys a very long while ago.

The only gifts my wife has kept in twenty-something years are the occasional engraved drinking glass, a few bath-smellies, and the odd bottle of wine if it's a decent one. Flowers are not normally a good idea as the end of the year results in armfuls of bouquets which need trimming and arranging, and to be frank we have neither the room for them, the vases, nor the inclination. The exception is if parents club together for a ready-arranged basket of flowers.

However, my wife does have a few carefully arranged files which hold every thank you card/letter she's ever been given and most loves the ones created and written by "her" children. These files are filled with wonderful memories for her and really help on those occasions when she feels like chucking the job in and doing something better paid with shorter hours. (School holidays in no way compensate for all the twelve to sixteen hour days she puts in, and like many teachers she's often at the school during the holidays anyway).

Answer 4

Maybe...

*Candles

*Partylite Stuff

*Basket

Something like that

Answer 5

I always buy for my 3 kids main teachers a gift card.  They can get what they want.  However last year I got them gift cert. for a mani/pedi and they loved it.  

Our kdgt teacher gives new parents a little welcome bag with tissues and a tea bag and a little note that says something like " I will take care of your child and thank you for entrusting him/her with me, now go home cry your tears, put your feet up and have a cup of tea" or something to that effect.  So with everything being so tight this year, I will probaly do something on the same lines for them.  "The year is over, go home have a cup of tea, cry if you must wether its because you are glad they are gone or sad they are gone or something like that.

They may be allergic to bath stuff.  For the teachers aid, I do a very small gift like something for the garden or yard from dollar general along with a note.  

If you could get the whole class to do it, I would go with a gift card to Staples or Office Depot.  I am sure any teacher would love to get that!

Answer 6

Just give her main teachers something small. There is no need to buy all of her teachers something. Do you have a teacher store nearby? Get her a gift ceretificate to the teacher store. Even if its just $5. That was the best gift I got while I was teaching.

Answer 7

Just her main teachers, I wouldnt worry about music and art. Maybe a gift certificate for a pedicure, a little day of relaxation for putting up with a bunch of kids all year!!!!

Answer 8

These are trying time, don't feel obligated to buy any gifts for any of the teachers. I worked as a teacher and would receive gifts from some of the students. It was always a little awkward to tell you the truth. Other teachers felt the same way. Some parents would go over the top and then you were forced to return the gift which was even more awkward. I suggest not doing it. I really liked the kids that put an effort into making a card with a picture and telling me their favorite part of the year. Much more appropriate and thoughtful.

Answer 9

No! No gift at all!

A note of appreciation would be a nice gesture, but seriously, they get paid for doing their job just like everyone else. We all like words of encouragement and praise, but a gift is really not necessary.

And, from a teacher's perspective, do you have any idea how many of them have assorted mugs and knick knacks and all kinds of c**p that probably doesn't match anything in their decor and gets to be a pain in the hiney to maintain? They get lots....tons and tons. Seriously, you'll be doing them a fovor to NOT give them any gifts.

But a nice note and or card would be lovely.

Answer 10

I would not buy something for the specials teachers.  I work in a school and it is normal for parents to buy something for only the classroom teachers.  A card is nice for those extra teachers. You will not be hurting anyones feelings.  We are not teachers for the gifts.

Good luck, Gift cards are always nice. *starbucks

Answer 11

In the UK we tend to buy for all in this case - but keep it cheap n cheerful n useful  -everyone uses candles don't they?

Answer 12

sure!  why not?  Life is too short.

I asked this once and someone I know who is a teacher suggested gift cards to target or office max, manicure and massage gift certificates (or nail polish, I suppose, too?).  

maybe fruit baskets?

Answer 13

Yes for the main teachers..no more than $20.  I'd recommend a gift card or gift certificate to the nearest teachers store.  Either that or to local grocery store or home improvement store.  As for other teachers...yes, it would be nice if you did that...but I would only if they had an extraordinary impact on your daughter.  My kindegarten son loves his music teacher so we'll buy her a special gift.  Though he enjoys art it hasn't grabbed his attention so we'll pass on that.  

That way you show your appreciation for the teachers that piqued your child's attention and desire to learn without breaking the  bank.  No teacher worth their salt would want you to do that anyways.

Answer 14

I would just buy gifts for the classroom teachers.  

Is there a "room mom" in your daughter's class?  If so, she may send around a sign-up sheet for contributions to a class gift for your child's teachers.

Answer 15

Maybe get your daughter to make a card or gift for the extra teachers, and buy something for the main ones.

Answer 16

I would get the bigger gift for main teacher, maybe a beach towel, beach chair, suntan lotion, or a gift card/yankee candle.  If you do have a special bond with any specialist teachers, get them a 5 dollar gift card for dunkin donuts.