Great minds must think alike because as I was mentally composing a post on teacher gifts, Jen was actually composing this post on teachers gift. I love that she emphasized that its not about what you give, but why you are giving it: to recognize the hard work, caring, and dedication we have demonstrated by spending 6 hours a day, every day, with your child. Non-stop.
At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I am now going to add to Jen’s advice by providing you with some guidance of what NOT to give your child’s teacher this holiday season.
Disclaimer: this post is being written by a teacher who has a dry sense of humour and who, every day, wears the same ratty sweater she bought at Costco. Do not take me any more seriously than I take myself.
Disclaimer #2: My advice is based on actual gifts received by either my colleagues or me. For real.
DO not give us “personal” items, no matter how much you feel “connected” to us. I don’t want a bra, roll-on deodorant, or sensual body lotion.
DO not give us homemade food items that have obviously been manhandled by your sweet little Billy, such as a marshmallow-cereal snowman. I am well-aware of Billy’s nose-picking habit and I am not eating that snowman.
DO NOT give us chocolates, picturing me enjoying them over a cup of tea while reading a book next to a roaring fire. In reality, I am uncontrollably eating your box, along with the other six boxes I received, while at the same time crying because my jeans no longer fit and I have to get in a bikini next week.
DO NOT give us mugs. My daughter always requests that we get mugs for her teachers. When I inquired as to why, she replied, “Well you get so many of them every year, Mommy, so that means all teachers love getting mugs, right?” Wrong.
DO NOT bring me homemade food, make me try it on the spot, and then stand there smiling. While I am an adventurous eater and major foodie, I am also really bad at hiding my emotions. I see this ending bad for both of us.
DO NOT give me gifts that have obviously been re-gifted. Like the photo album I received one year that still had someone else’s pictures in it.
DO NOT assume that the rules laid out for teachers a century still exist. Contrary to popular opinion, we are allowed to drink alcohol and go out in public after dark in the company of a man (gasp!).
Other than that, get me what ever you want…after all, it’s the thought that counts.
I’m dying….SO funny. Thanks for the hints!!! No bra get booze. Got it!
On my life! And it was the old-skool drippy roll on kind that demands you “raise the roof” for about 5 minutes while your pits dry…not that I used it or anything.
you can’t be serious about the deodorant, who the? what the? i can’t even begin to put myself into that parent’s head as they’re picking that out! now, the new old spice grizzly bear deodorant defender sculpture, i can see….
aw..the wood is so adorable! I know this was a light piece…I wouldn’t want a bra some parent picked out either…awkward!!!! But the chocolate? bring it on!!!!!
hysterical
and so worth shouting from the mountaintops!
I love handmade treats! I’m with Cayla on all the rest though.
I agree. Either gift is great.
I 100% agree with you. This post really was just meant for fun. As a teacher, I can truly say that my favorite gifts are the ones from the heart. Like the little boy who gave me a piece of wood he found at his cottage and the young girl who gave me her picture book that used to be her favorite for my class library.
*snicker:snort*
I think we have to remember it’s the thought that counts. This is great guidance but I think the teachers are pretty grateful in areas of the city where gifts are not the norm. A thoughtful hand made gift should still be graciously accepted. I have friends that live in low-income areas that would be hurt to find out that teachers snuff their baked goods. I’ve even heard of some parents who give into the pressures of gifting teachers who can’t afford to do so. You’d be surprised. They go quietly unnoticed.
Does that mean no homemade treats at all? I promise mine are not snotty, grubby or sneezed-upon. And if teachers choose to re-gift them, I’m good with that too.
Too funny! My parents were teachers and so we got double the mugs, double the chocolates, double the Christmas ornaments…I like to buy gift certificates to Chapters or the LCBO. I figure teachers deserve curling up with a book and some booze – after all, they teach my kids! 😉
For sure the lcbo. The teacher who receives the booze gift is always the most envied teacher. Movies are good too. Just make sure it’s enough of a gc to cover 2 ppl. No need rub it in that he’s single by only giving him enough for one ticket
Absolutely hilarious, Cayla! Thanks for steering me clear of that deodorant and K-Y Jelly package I was putting together for my kids’ teachers!
Hilarious! A BRA?! Really? That is nuts. I have a love/hate thing with chocolates too. The image of you crying in your too tight jeans had me smiling. I can’t believe the regifting! So funny.
I was thinking of an LCBO or movie gift card for my daughter’s young, male, married but no kids teacher. Which do you think?