Christmas Gifts for Teachers: $30-50 Each?

Woah, no. Too much. Not to mention that it is probably illegal for teachers to accept monetary gifts of any amount. I think it's incredibly thoughtful that you want to give such a large gift, but I think something like a $10 gift card for books, coffee, etc would be more appropriate. I'm a teacher, if that makes a difference.

good luck.

I think that $30-$50 is on the high side. My son's teacher is getting a class gift and we were asked to contribute $7 each. I also let him pick out a hot cocoa and a mug and it was about $5.

My son is now in preschool and has too many teachers for me to be this generous. His primary - day teacher is getting a $30 gift and his primary day teacher from earlier in the year is getting the same. I picked out smaller $10-15 gifts for the afternoon teachers (about 2 hrs per day). However, I wanted to make you feel better because it seems so many people are calling you crazy for the $50 reference. A friend of mine taught 4th grade in a private school. At Christmas, she received numerous $50 gift certificates to Target, restaurants, VISA etc. She received expensive perfume valued at more than $50 as well. Apparently those parents did not respond to your question. If you can afford $50 per teacher, I say go for it. Teachers perform a great service for our children and are not well paid.

Our school policy prohibits teacher gifts over $50. I never spend more than $20 / teacher myself. (don't forget the bus driver!).

My sister is a teacher and she appreciates gift cards, regardless of the amount. (as well as cute homeade stuff from the kids).

As a teacher I preferred a gift. Just sentimental I guess.
I remember every gift I ever got that included the childs photo, or the child seemed to have a part in...such as a card they wrote attached and a cute child like gift. I would not want money for sure and would think it is weird. The gift should seem more like from the kid too. Ask your kid to choose between 3 options. Ornament is good, homemade baked goods is excellent, cookie jar is good, angel figure, some combo of these type things. Gift card is sterile to me. Give a gift card if you don't particularly bond with the teacher

That sounds a bit high and could be misconstrued as trying to buy better grades. I agree with a gift card in a much lower amount or a sentimental gift that will remind the teacher of your child year after year.

To answer your update, at our school the head home room parent sent home a sealed envelope with each child. In it was a note requesting a contribution towards the teacher's gift. We are to send our contribution in an envelope with her daughter's name marked on it. Even so I don't believe everyone responds. I suppose I should add that in the letter she mentioned what she would like to purchase for the teacher. The more information you give the more likely people might respond...maybe :-) People are funny plus some prefer to purchase their own gift individually.

$5-$10 max

once they start having more than one teacher, than $5 max

we usually buy a restaurant gift card.. we ve been able to get a good deal in that we wanted to spend 30 but ended up spending 25 b/c the restaurant was having a special.. spend 25 and they give you a gift card for 5... therefore, it worked out nicely..
It might be hard for some to figure out which restaurant to use.. but I have knack for those things.. if you aren't sure , then maybe the restaurant gift isn't a good idea.. so far , it's been a hit with us..

Wow! I would never do that much, that seems in sane. I agree, $20 tops. I am actually doing my son's pre=k teacher a hobby lobby gift card. I am not sure yet for the assistant. Then my middle son has 4 MDO teachers. I am thinking about an ornament. It seems to get more pricey each year.

$20 sounds like plenty. when i taught i got a few of those and was shocked that the parents actually gave that much. got to say my fav gift was a bracelette that one of my students made. if you're not sure what kind of card to get you can always personalize it. if you know the teacher well enough--her likes--ie starbucks. some of us always went to starbucks on a daily basis every morning or afternoon during lunch and the parents gave us those gift cards. but visa works great too.

My son is in Kindergarten and I am giving his teacher a $50 gift card. Last year, when he was in preschool 3 mornings a week, I gave his teacher a $25 gift card for Christmas and $50 for end of the year. I REALLY like my son's teacher (and LOVED his preschool teacher). Give what you feel comfortable.

We went to Michaels and bought a cute snowman jar and are going to fill it with dove chocolates. Total cost is under $10. Price doesn't matter if it is something the teacher will like.

Wow-that seems steep unless you did get a bunch of parents to pitch in. If you could get 10 parents to pitch in $3 or $5, then I guess you could go that route.

I thought teachers appreciated something from the kids or "home made" or store bought treats-IF they can even accept them anymore. I usually find out if they collect certain things or have certain interests and then get them something small and very reasonably priced...

It has been my experience Teachers feel a little strange receiving cash, but love gift cards..

Our school pools the money and gets a gift certificate or american express type thing. No one gives more than 5 or 10 dollars. I have 4 kids, some who have numerous teachers... we would be broke if we did 30-50 dollars each :(

Um, my kids' teachers never get more than $15 worth of anything. I usually give gift certificates to local businesses or personalized note pads.

I think about $10 is right. It's the thought not the actual amount that matters. Sometimes one of the parents pool the money all together to get a nice gift.

WHAT?!?!!!!! Where online did you see to give teachers THAT MUCH?!?!! I don't think it is legal. I think a nice handmade card or Christmas ornament from your child is enough. Gift cards in ANY amount would be fine - even $5.00!! Starbucks, a bookstore or teacher supply store are good ideas of where to get one.

Here's a post that gives ideas - from a teacher herself: http://bit.ly/IdeasForTeacher (or here: http://www.mycouponteacher.com/2010/12/teacher-gift-ideas/)

You could also give personalized labels! You can get them from here (http://bit.ly/hNrbz4) for FREE, just pay about $3 shipping!

I usually gift homeade cookies and candies or jam and breads. My daughter is in high school, that would be $30x8=YIKES!!!

I don't trust those gift giving sites at all. Must be written by Mr Money Bags. What average family has that kind of cash around?

For a group gift, I try to give $10 per teacher, $5 if it's an aide.

If it's a teacher I just adore, then $20 tops.

You can ask the principal if you can send a note home to the parents asking them to go in on a gift card. You would be responsible for coping the info yourself. We were able to do this, we printed something on 1/2 sheets of paper for each child to take home.

I would say something like, "If you would like to contribute to a class gift for Ms._______, we are planning to buy a VISA gift card in the amount we collect. You can send an envelope to school with your child, addressed to my child, ________. For any questions, please call me at _________.

My daughter has 7 teachers so I am no personally going that route. There are also policies in effect which limit the teachers as well so check out your ISD for any rules.

I spent about $20 on each cheer coach (2), and for the other 7 I will spend around $15.

The VISA card is a great idea and I love it, however, you do pay a fee to activiate it. I send these to my neice and nephew in Pittsburgh and a $50 giftcard costs $4.95 to activate. Added costs but for them it is ok because I have no idea where they like to shop.

I've seen classroom gifts be a money tree or a citrus tree with money attached to it from the class but not at Christmas.