https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 23:18:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893646 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 21:45:28 +0000 periwinklebee 2893646@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do Christmas and end of year gifts at daycare (and they are just cash contributions to a group fund). </p> <p>I can see the perspective that teachers are underpaid/under-appreciated, but I also feel like at some grade level an up front gift becomes inappropriate in most circumstances, like, almost feels like trying to bribe/excessively gain favor of the teacher. (not trying to make a blanket statement and obviously it will depend on the context....) Like, a gift should be given at the end as a pure sign of appreciation when you're not expecting something in return, as opposed to at the very beginning when you may be expecting things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893641 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 21:08:28 +0000 lady baltimore 2893641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a teacher, I have never gotten a back-to-school gift from a student/family. The closest thing would be parents who buy extra tissues/hand sanitizer/etc. for the classroom.</p> <p>Our PA does sponsor lunch for the staff during our prep week.</p> <p>I would maybe consider a small token for a teacher with whom I had a pre-existing relationship (e.g. if my child had the same teacher twice, or a younger sibling got the same teacher an older one had), but that would only be if I could do something personal (a favorite candy bar) based on already knowing them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893622 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 15:44:25 +0000 Anagram 2893622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: I did a small back to school gift last year. I’m also a teacher/school librarian and it was VERY small, and more of a solidarity gesture, like here we go again, another school year. </p> <p>It was a mug with a funny teacher saying on it that was in the Target 1 spot with all the back to school stuff, with some sticky tabs and colorful paper clips inside. I probably spent $5 total. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893619 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 15:25:35 +0000 bhbee 2893619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mommy Finger: room parent stuff like that can be so annoying! </p> <p>@hellobeeboston: ok that is adorable and I want one for myself!! I also get sucked in by my local super talented cookie lady :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893613 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 14:46:35 +0000 hellobeeboston 2893613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know that some people do this - I don't know, it's a bit much... </p> <p>That being said, when my older child entered is last year at his preschool, I did get the teachers this little cookie set that a local cookie decorator was selling, I couldn't resist, and she wrote their names on the notebook cookies: </p> [attach=1584/19/pvs49n.600x442.Screen-Shot-2019-08-05-at-3.46.42-PM.png] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893604 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 13:41:35 +0000 Mommy Finger 2893604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ajsmommy: I honestly don't want to discourage you from doing anything! Who doesn't like a gift and teachers are so underpaid and under appreciated. </p> <p>I might be projecting. I was the room parent last year and when collecting money to do a class gift for the teacher's birthday, Christmas and end of year, I had a few parents who went out of their way to let me know that they would be going on on their own for the gifts and the way they did it really rubbed me the wrong way. I won't go into details. They definitely wanted to teacher to know that they were the ones giving extra gifts and were looking down on the rest of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893589 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 12:09:04 +0000 Ajsmommy 2893589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually thought of this a few days ago and winced bc I hadn't planned to do anything and I was hoping I wasn't going to be the only one!! </p> <p>I am glad to read that I am not alone..</p> <p>I did come up with an idea I was going to have DD do but then reading @Mommy Finger: response I don't want to feed into this. So I won't have DD do it. (I was going to have DD make a card and just say something like "I look forward to getting to know you Miss xyz. I am DD's name and I like.... " and have DD draw some things she likes... probably flowers/babies/butterflies.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893582 Mon, 05 Aug 2019 11:30:50 +0000 Mommy Finger 2893582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, this sounds like something people would do to try to gain favor in the teacher's eyes for their kid. Like they're tying to get special treatment. I'm not saying you would or are doing it for this purpose by any means. I'm just super cynical lately. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893514 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 20:48:21 +0000 jhd 2893514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: I have never heard of back to school gifts. Our supply list was not long, so I got all of the suggested but not required supplies like tissues and clorox wipes. But it would never occur to me to buy a gift. I'm a teacher and I've never received a gift at back to school, unless it was from the PTA. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893507 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 19:08:34 +0000 Jennibenni 2893507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This just sounds crazy to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893506 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 19:02:04 +0000 youboots 2893506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do holiday gifts (usually GC for main teacher and a treat/coffee/tea for assistants) and a smaller item for the end of the school year. That’s it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893496 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 14:33:13 +0000 Mrs. Cupcake 2893496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a former K-6 teacher, I will tell you you do NOT need to do this. That being said, I had many students bring me a card/letter/picture and say something about how they are excited about upcoming year in my classroom. That always meant a lot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893492 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 07:57:47 +0000 Kaohinani 2893492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: I have never received a "Back to School" gift from students OR parents ... Not at the upper elementary level, nor at the collegiate level. (🤔 I need to move to your district if they do this! 😉🤣) The closest I have ever come to receiving gifts for a returning school year has been getting back to school packages (pens, pencils, schedule books, coffee and assorted snacks) as a 'welcome back' from the administration. I would never expect to receive a gift from students or parents as there are so many other opportunities to gift and show appreciation during the year that I feel giving gifts at the start of the year seems a bit excessive and undue. Besides, it is an extra expense ... As a parent, I spend an inordinate amount on back-to-school supplies (pencils, glue, highlighters, crayons/markers, notebooks and folders, hand sanitizer, tissues, paper towels ... you get the idea) mandated by the county's schools, not to mention, a school wardrobe and items such as new backpacks and lunch storage. It just doesn't make financial sense to add on gifts especially since my daughter is in middle school and sees 5 different educators a day not counting her specials. My DS is in class part-time (3x a week) pre-K for social skills acquisition and his SLP -- 🤔 I still couldn't see purchasing his 3 teachers a gift "just because" it is a new year. 🤦‍♀️</p> <p>All that stated - I used to gift my students (at the upper elementary level and most who I would have or have had for the 3 years I would see them in the program I taught) a "welcome back" gift bag which included a "Back to School" personalized pencil, a cool eraser, a fruit snack, and a chocolate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893491 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 07:56:08 +0000 Jessiemuller88 2893491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: I am a teacher and over the years a few students have brought me small gifts like plants or sweet treats, but it’s not common. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893490 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 07:50:14 +0000 charm55 2893490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve never heard of this and it seems excessive </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893488 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 07:11:05 +0000 bhbee 2893488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok I’m glad it’s not just me thinking it’s a bit much! I’m all for supplies but like @pachamama: said they already ask us to spend a ton on supplies (and buy it through the pta as a fundraiser), and the parents will do nice gifts throughout the year for holiday, birthday and teacher appreciation. </p> <p>@Corduroy: I do love the favorites list. Seems like a big win-win when it is gift time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893486 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 06:59:08 +0000 erinbaderin 2893486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good grief. I don’t get the point of it. The end of year gifts are a thank you, what would this be? Thank you in advance? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893482 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 05:35:32 +0000 pachamama 2893482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here in upstate New York it is not a thing! The supply list is a mile long so parents probably can't spring for a gift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893481 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 05:22:02 +0000 catgirl 2893481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have heard of them and know a few people who give them, but we will not. I do take in a variety of classroom supplies the first week of school and then again the first week back in January. I pick 5ish things from the suggested donation list. We give individual gifts to the teachers at other times of the year though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893477 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 00:32:38 +0000 Corduroy 2893477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's not a thing here as far as I know. Although now that I'm an experienced 1st grade parent I know there's a folder in the office that tells me my kid's teachers favorite things and where they want gift cards.</p> <p>This is our suggested classroom donation list for 1st grade. Obviously they aren't gifts. I just got it today so it was handy. </p> [attach=3529/19/pvp62f.600x446.IMG_20190803_222449.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893476 Sun, 04 Aug 2019 00:09:40 +0000 poppygirl15 2893476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a teacher, but it's not a thing where I live! At back-to-school night, they request you bring in certain supplies that'll be needed during the year (glue, kleenex, crayons, etc.) but I haven't heard of gifts for the teacher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893475 Sat, 03 Aug 2019 23:53:33 +0000 Autumnmama79 2893475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Teacher here and I’ve never heard of that. There are already so many costs associated with back to school, it’s totally unnecessary! What would be most appreciated is to go in and introduce yourself with a smile :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893474 Sat, 03 Aug 2019 23:34:54 +0000 LemonJack 2893474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m a teacher and have never gotten a back to school gift. That seems excessive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893473 Sat, 03 Aug 2019 22:59:52 +0000 crazydoglady 2893473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Goodness...I RARELY get gifts, but I teach middle school in a "middle class" area. If anything, maybe a box of tissue and a 5 dollar gift card to Starbucks? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/back-to-school-teacher-gifts-1#post-2893472 Sat, 03 Aug 2019 22:49:47 +0000 bhbee 2893472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is this a thing where you live? Do you give them or do you receive them if you teach?</p> <p>Some people in the local moms group were just discussing this and it is something that I never thought about (sorry if I missed something teachers!!). So I’m just curious if I’ve been under a rock or if it’s not that common. I also think people are more into gifting every occasion here in the south but not sure if that’s accurate. I’ve heard of people sending Kleenex or something but this is more actual gifts for the teacher. Just curious! </p>