Hi Ladies,
I have a child that just entered elementary school and I needed guidance on when our little students typically bring gifts to their teachers (and/or classmates). Is it all 'holidays', halloween, thanksgiving, christmas, etc? or only select holidays like Christmas? Thanks in advance!
I usually only did Christmas (like the few days before break) and sometimes if they were special teachers or the kids were leaving the school, something at the end of the year. Keep it small. They appreciate gift cards, too, like to Starbucks or Staples (where they can get supplies).
Usually, it's during the winter holiday and then again as an end of the year gift.
If your child's classroom has a Room Parent, check with them. Often, a room parent will organize a class gift and take up a collection from the families. This can be a nice thing, as sometimes the teacher would really like a new learning toy/tool for the classroom or a specific book/teaching aid, etc.
Christmas and the end of the year are all you really need to do, but if you are an unusually crafty and/or Martha Stewart-like person, you can do Halloween, Thanksgiving, Arbor Day... :)
At our school, usually the room parent(s) send out an email to all the parents in the class requesting donations to a group gift (usually gift cards to the teacher's favorite stores/restaurants, or a Visa gift card she can spend anywhere). That way, each family gives what they can and the teacher gets something really great. You can always have your child make a card to give in addition to that.
It's all up to you!!! We usually only do it at Christmas for my kids and we bake cookies for them. But I know others have gotten teachers stuff for every occasion.
In general, no gifts for classmates.
If you elect to do something for the teacher, Christmas and end-of-year. No need to go over the top and keep in mind that most teachers (like the rest of us) lack storage space in their classrooms so gift cards to Barnes & Noble, Target or other places where the teacher can purchase materials for the classroom are great!
For us, it was mostly Christmas and Valentine's Day.
But if you want to send in something for the CLASS, any old holiday can work. Just contact the teacher in advance for parameters to work within.
I will be assisting for the Halloween party so I'll bring in whatever is needed and maybe grab something cute for the teacher, but not necessarily. I will get something for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Teacher Appreciation week and her/his birthday.
For us, teachers get gift cards for Christmas and on teacher appreciation day.
Classmates get a goodie bag on Halloween, Winter Holiday and Valentines day party days.
Gifts for the teacher are usually brought in the day before the holiday break. This is also a good time to bring in gifts to classmates.
If the classroom is going to have a holiday party then gifts should be brought in at that time.
Typically gifts for teachers are given 3 times a year, at Christmas, teacher appreciation week and the end of the school year. Gifts for classmates are given Halloween, Christmas, and Valentines Day.
Before sending in any gifts you should check the rules in your school. Many schools do not allow food items, or have strict rules regarding food items.
Also, you should never feel obligated to give any type of gift.
We do Christmas and end of year (and birthday if we know when it is).
My son is in 3rd grade and my daughter is in kindergarten. I typically send the teacher a giftcard & handmade card for Christmas and then again at the end of the year. As for classmates the only gifts they get is if my kid is invited to their party.
