AmyDavid

Is it usual to buy a gift card for your children's teacher? If so - how much is enough?

Thanks

ann m

I find people are either vehemently against the idea or more than happy to pass on a little something. There's not much middle ground ! I do get a small pressie - always have - teachers do a job I could never have the patience for and deserve a quick acknowledgement from me occasionally!

Sure we have lots of teachers on this site - what do you guys like receiving?

I was working at Starbucks last Xmas, and the little tea or coffee or chocolate gift sets were popular for teachers, but the $10 or $15 gift cards were the biggest seller. Ditto for Timmies or Second Cup I guess.

I suppose there is a limit to how much coffee, or chocolate, smelly candles or flowers/plants a teacher wants to take home on the last day of school (no hang on - there is NO limit on the chocolate). If I was a teacher I'd 'need' a bottle of wine (!) but I'm not sure how alcohol would be received? Whatever you feel Amy - perhaps the time taken by your child to actually make a card would be just as special?

Linda P

Previously I have been asked by the room reps to 'pool' the money......I quite like this option as you can give what you can afford, and the teacher doesn't end up with 20 mugs!!!!

Failing this I just get a $10 Timmies voucher

Linda

Souvenir

I doubt it, somehow.

iaink

Depends on the age of the child. I suspect our kids grade one teacher would rather like that rather than some cheap tat bought in a store.

Souvenir

If I were a grade one teacher, I'd go for the wine option every time.

Novocastrian

I bet you've been going for the wine option since you were a grade one student, though.

Souvenir

Your point being?

Atlantic Xpat

As the husband of a teacher I'd observe that wine is always a welcome option. Particularly when your wife is pregnant so has to pass it onto me to drink!

fedupwithwaiting

In the three schools that my children have attended the teachers opt for the gift of reading at Christmas. Knowing they would be inundated with pressies galore they organise that the willing parents donate money towards the school library to buy more books. In the front of the book there is a slip saying "this book was kindly donated by the family of bla bla..." so everyone wins. Usually about $10 per child attending.

raine66

I'm with you here I always go for the wine option.

Every teacher can't possibly pull the wool over my eyes, but they always look so appreciative.

fledermaus

When did this teacher present giving thing start? It didn't happen why I was at school, a long, long time ago.

Why? Why give the present, is it a bribe?

Who else do you give gifts too? hairdresser? milkman? postman? binman? doctor? accountant? and why?

bimchick

I find in Canada people give presents to the service people they find helpful and see a lot. I know of bank tellers who get gifts from loyal customers, and the milkman (when he existed) always got generous gifts from the neighborhood (and when his son was dying of cancer everyone went to the hospital to visit and helped him with monetary donations). The postwoman always gets gifts, usually money.

Teachers get gifts to show an appreciation for all their hard work. Teachers are only paid to be at school from say 9-3, but often they stay late and help children, call parents about specific problems, organize field trips for the kids, have birthday parties for the little kids, get class pets to make the students learn about responsibility, and because little furry rabbits are so cute! Teachers do a lot of extras for your kids, and it's nice to show them appreciation by getting them a gift.

fledermaus

But they also get loooong holidays.

Pretty much every job/profession/trade works hard so if you tip one you should tip everyone that has done some work that affected your life, not just the people you see.

bimchick

yes, but the long holidays are compensated by low salaries.