I am a kindergarten teacher as well as a parent, and at the risk of becoming very unpopular: I thought most of the ideas on GiversLog were terrible.

Let me first explain that I ADORE my students. I talk about them endlessly to my husband, and joyfully stay late after work to run around with them in the school yard.

Please also remember, that regardless of how much a teacher loves her students: she is a person too, with her own home, her own family, and her own design aestetic. Also please remember that she may be receiving gifts from 30 other students at each occasion.

Do you want a photo mousepad with a photo of a child who is not your family member? I certainly don't, regardless of how much I adore the child. Imagine what my home would look like if I had a photo mousepad of little Jimmy, a scribbled on mixing bowl in my kitchen from Suzie, along with all the pencils in my den bearing photos of little Tom, etc etc...and multiply that by 30 children over 3 years, 10 years, 30 years of teaching...?

I truly appreciate the generosity and sentiment of the many many families who have given me gifts over the years. I remember all of my past students fondly. I have also thrown almost all of these gifts down my garbage chute, or into my donation box. My own offspring make enough crafts to lovingly clutter my home.

A jar of homemade jam, some cookies, a bottle of wine, or a starbucks card with a child-crafted label or accompanying card is lovely. Seasonal candle holders and popsicle-stick-framed portraits are things that only your child's grandparents want - and even they might not.

Any other teachers out there? How do you feel?

I agree with megatroid. I taught high school for several years and now teach college. While gifts are not obligatory at these stages and therefor much rarer, those I have received were sweet but just not wanted. Homemade food (any food really) is always welcome, but I treasure the hand written cards written by my students most. Teaching teenagers and those in their early twenties can feel like a daunting and unappreciated chore on many days. When I get a thoughtful card or email from a student thanking me for the time and thought I put into the class, it totally makes my semester.

I am also a kindergarten teacher as well. I second everything that megatroid mentioned in his/her post.

I love each and every handmade gift I have ever received from my students, but I would be lying if I said that I kept them all.

Without fail, every December (at Xmas), every February (on Valentine's Day), every June (at the end of the school year), there is a staffroom conversation amongst the teachers about the various not-so-wonderful gifts that we received from our students. There is a staff member who even mentioned a school that she taught at before where there is a shelf designated for particularly strange/funny gifts.

If you plan on giving any food items, please keep in mind that a box of chocolates/goodies is quick and easy for you to pick up, BUT no teacher wants to be left with 18 boxes of chocolates. One teacher at our school actually received 22 boxes this past Christmas. She loves eating chocolate, but 22 boxes?? Not even the biggest chocolate fan can stomach that. I know of another teacher who started telling parents that she had food allergies just so she could avoid getting bad food gifts in the future.

I have heard of teachers who have received gift cards from stores from parents who got together and pooled their money (ex. 5 sets of parents pooling $10 each to get a $50 gift card to Starbucks.) I love getting cards from Starbucks or Michaels (even in the smallest denominations). I don't know any K teacher who doesn't like Michaels. I also love getting handmade cards from students. Plants are also nice. I don't drink wine, but I'm sure many a teacher would like a nice bottle for a gift.

I don't mean to sound harsh or ungrateful for the gifts that I do receive -- I am simply being honest. I love all of my students and I love my job. But, teachers are just like everybody else with lives and children of our own and we like getting great gifts too. Just think about what kind of gift you would like to get if you were in our shoes. And remember that even if you really would like to receive a box of chocolates, there is a very big possibility that your child's teacher may get 29 other boxes along with yours!

married to a teacher: gifts are not necessary, personal notes and letters are the most appreciated (and most rarely received) gift. All gestures from students are taken in kindness and gratitude, but do consider the laundry basket full of giant candy bars, microwave popcorn, mugs and cookies he brings home a few times per year. Really, a laundry basket. Full. At Christmas, Valentine's, Teacher Appreciation, etc. Besides, this is a great opportunity for kids to practice letter writing and thank-you note writing. These things are also free.

Not a teacher... but so appreciate the sentiments of the three above posts. Thanks for the honesty, this parent is now aware!

Wow, the comments by the teachers are so helpful (and funny)! We usually do a personalized note/card and a giftcard to a store we know they like. I see it as the note/card being from my children, and the giftcard coming from us thankful parents.

As a teacher (playing SAHM for the moment), I LOVE the staff room display shelf idea for odd gifts received! I also agree that a nice little note and a gift card are probably the best things a kid can hand over to a teacher on any occasion, whether the card is signed by a student (OR, especially with an older child, by his/her parents). I won't ever stress out about finding gifts for teachers from my own kids-- I know for sure that's all they want anyway!

Another teacher chiming in here about the value of notes versus material gifts:

--a thank-you note from the parent: good
--a thank-you note from the kid: better
--a thank-you note describing specific reasons why the kid and/or parent appreciates this particular teacher (as opposed to "Thanks for a terrific year! Have a neat summer!"): wonderful
--the above plus chocolate/gift card/homemade item: nice touch, especially if the gift reflects knowledge of the teacher's personal interests (which is why I love it when my students add to my dancing hamster collection)

I'm not a nanny/day care worker/tutor/karate instructor, but I suspect the same principles apply to gifts given to almost anyone who works with your child.

As always, it's never necessary to give a gift (that's why it's called a "gift"), but it feels good to be appreciated in any way, even with a photo mousepad!

Secret Star is right on.
A personal note from a student (above and beyond "Have a great summer!") will bring tears to a teacher's eyes faster than you can say, "Recess!!"

Optional addition: You can never miss with a gift card to Michael's, an office supply store, or Starbucks. The gift cards end up going directly back into the classroom, and the coffee keeps her/him ready to face a new day with 30 students.

Teachers Rock!

@aidanarcia- Isn't that a little Grinchy? As a teacher, do I NEED my students to write me a little note thanking me for my hard work? Nope. But it sure is nice. Just like it's nice when a person in retail hears from her supervisor that a customer sent in a positive feedback card.

I'm not here to complain about how difficult is to be a teacher- just to say that a thoughtful note is a huge pick-me-up in that very long month of May.

BTW:
Another reason for a gift card:
50% of public school elementary school teachers spend between $500 and $800 of their own money on necessary classroom supplies and events. They're entitled to a $250 tax deduction (not a credit).

Sometimes there are "wish list" websites that teachers can sign up for. Ask your teacher if s/he's listed.

thanks so much for the honest feedback!

as a parent who wants to show my kids' wonderful teachers true appreciation, your candor will help me select the best gift possible.

I loved all the info too, my son is in kindergarten so this'll help.
I wouldn't complain about the extra chocolate though, LOL.

oo it's making me hungry I just found good recipes for leftover Halloween candy....mmm

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! (And thanks for the shout out, Carrie.) This is exactly the kind of feedback I love to read, real words from real live teachers!

You're right, megatroid, the mousepad might have to go.

In my defense, I have always recommended gift cards (like in the first sentences of the <A HREF="http://giverslog.com/?p=7144">linked post</A> to and in my <A HREF="http://giverslog.com/?p=4304">previous post</A> on teacher gifts) because I know the down side of a teacher's budget (my dad was a professor). I try to stick with classroom supplies and consumables and steer clear of popsicle sticks, to keep it green and guilt free if the teacher doesn't want to take it home and save it forever!!

And to all you teachers, and extra THANK YOU from me. I'm a huge fan.

Thanks!
AmberLee
<A HREF="http://giverslog.com/">GiversLog</A>

I'm a teacher too...now a stay-at-home-mom....and my son is now in preschool. I always just loved a nice card or note from my parents and students. THat was all I needed to hear....how much they appreciated me and that all the hard work I put in was noticed. Especially since we teachers put in A LOT of time for our kiddos, but don't get paid even close to the "big bucks"!!

If you want to give something, I think gift cards are great, even in small amounts: for coffee, at a local craft shop (those can ALWAYS be used by a teacher), etc. I also loved getting a small plant in a pot (not cut flowers) because that's something that can last or be planted in a yard. I love little succulents and they are really inexpensive and don't need a lot of water (good for those busy teachers!!)

I am also a teacher and have always worked with very disenfranchised students, so I don't get many gifts. I am always so happily surprised when I do. The best gift is just to know my hard work is appreciated. A sincere note means so much. I really would encourage people who want to give gifts to steer away from knick knacks and empty calorie treats. If you are sure the teacher has a place to plant it, a pretty little annual would be a good end of year gift. I know I look forward to spending my summer vacation tending my garden.