Does anyone here give gifts to their kids schoolteachers at this time of the yr? is it the norm everywhere? if there are any teachers on the forum, whats the best holiday gift out there you prefer? gift cards, chocolates, gift baskets? i have been regularly doing it for the past few yrs, kids are in public school, i see it as a thank you for a job well done. this friend of mine always tells me off for doing it, saying its not expected at all and teachers won’t really care either way 
true?
Re: holiday gifts for kids teachers
oh btw i'm in the US, where it seems to be norm (i think!)
My sis is a public school teacher, and although she certainly doesn't expect this I think she also thinks it's a lovely gesture. Who doesn't love a little recognition or gift now and then, and plus, many teachers feel underappreciated and it's a nice way to show that you appreciate the huge role they are playing in your child's life.
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I do. It's usually a gift certificate or a gift basket.
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chocolates and gift cards are nice -- nothing too pricey or too personal! but if you happen to have recently travelled and have a knickknack or a shawl or something that would be unusual, that's always appreciated.
chocolates and gift cards are nice -- nothing too pricey or too personal! but if you happen to have recently travelled and have a knickknack or a shawl or something that would be unusual, that's always appreciated.
I dont have kids, but when I do insha Allah, I think I will just give their teachers a gift on the Eids not Xmas, along with a note explaining the significance of the holiday :)
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i neither receive nor give anything to anyone as christmas gift other than my christian colleagues. :)
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thank you all for the input, indeed a great help! as i said before i take the holidays as an opportunity to say thank you to these wonderful teachers, its not exactly a christmas present but more of a token of appreciation which i see is shared by everyone here. i went to sam's club today and they had the most adorable godiva and starbucks gift baskets and festive belgian truffle boxes, will make a list tonight and get them tomorrow. thanks again :)
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i remember my cousins in pakistan all giving their teachers gifts and i thought aww so sweet until they said that its more to make sure the teacher has a soft spot for them when it comes to grading or exams.. erm... okay
so its always had some negetive emotion attatched to it for me... dont know if i will do it for my kids teachers.. but if the gift is given with a pure heart and accepted as just a gift, no harm i guess
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Some of my students give me something, but it's usually food-related, like sweets and things, during the holidays. It's a Jewish school so most of the holidays are food-related anyway, so maybe that's why.
DramayBazz -- that sounds nice.
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gift cards are the best (IMO)
hehe like a rishwat you mean? but strangely growing up in pakistan i didn’t see this practice over there 
whereas here most parents seem to be doing it, and like Sahar02 said its mostly food stuff like chocs etc not very personal or expensive things which is inappropriate.
i always get confused with this, as in what store or amount would be appropriate, $10 $15 $20 $25 ? if its too cheap or too much, i’m very indecisive sigh
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i would just go with a holiday food basket... easiest and who doesnt like food?"!
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My nephew's school asked that any parent wanting to give a gift to a teacher (obviously it's optional) to instead donate winter clothing - specifically hats, mitts, scarves to be given to the needy. IMO, this was a thoughtful gesture on the part of the teachers and school administration.
i always get confused with this, as in what store or amount would be appropriate, $10 $15 $20 $25 ? if its too cheap or too much, i'm very indecisive sigh
I think any of those is fine. Teachers expect that holiday gifts are going to several teachers, and even a $5 to Starbucks is just a nice gesture -- it doesn't have to be a lot to be meaningful.
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thanks sahar02, you have been a great help! :)
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From what I understand $5 at Starbucks doesn't get you much. LOL. But it is true....it's just the gesture that counts.