How Much Is Too Much to Spend on Teacher's Gift?

I'm a teacher so maybe this will help.

I would not feel uncomfortable or that someone overdid it with $50. I also would not feel like I got "ripped off" or insulted if I got a $5 gift card. Maybe some teachers do this, but I don't ever sit there and think "Oh well Susie's mom gave me $50 and Jimmy's mom gave me $5; what a cheapo!"

Most people are struggling financially right now and teachers get it (hah, do they ever!), so whatever you feel like doing is absolutely fine.

With any gift, I would highly recommend, writing a handwritten card, from the heart, to express how you appreciated the Teacher/school. Not a generic "thanks" in 2 lines. But a really nice note, written with appreciation and meaning.
That always, is very cherished. And because not many people nowadays, hand writes cards of appreciation.

That sounds fine. Teachers appreciate anything. We get 5 dollar gift cards and my co worker got a 100 gift card. I gave a couple little cards to my daughter's teacher and then a bigger one for dinner. We made a little summer to do book. Have a dinner that you can eat in more than 30 minutes, have a cup of coffee or two, and buy a book for yourself (no kids books allowed). I spent around 50.

I am a teacher and agree, $5 or more, homemade jam or cookies, art, a card only... the gift is always appreciated. We enjoy a pat on the back and sincere thank you. I have not been working as of late and miss those coffee mugs! Other teachers like gardening, a pedicure, a plant, music, I even got an apple tree from the whole class one year to plant in my yard. All the kids had written a note on a paper apple hung from the tree with their pictures. My tree was dying so it was to replace the one we had to cut down. What is it your teacher likes? Needs? A Starbucks card? Jamba juice, Amazon card for summer reading... we enjoy simple pleasures and are short on cash too. I'll never forget getting a Valentine's gift of a red plastic heart shaped bubble bath from a third grade boy. He walked up and said, "My mother made me give to to you!" HA! I love it. One of the most memorable gifts.

I have given gifts of $50 or more to exceptional teachers. With a card and a personal note explaining how much I've appreciated what they've done for my kids.

:)

As a preschool teacher in my other pre mom life, I on occasion did recieve $50 gifts. They were rare, but lovely to recieve especially from a parent that really truly appreciated the work i had done with their child. I think as long as you don't make a big deal to the other parents, it would be just fine.

Between the two i would prefer just a gift card instead of the candy too. Or a smaller candy gift if you really needed to have something for her to unwrap. I know i always ended up having to share the candy and so it wasn't just for me,

$50. sounds perfect to me..

Gosh, that sounds like a lot to me. I wouldn't spend more than 15 dollars personally. But if you feel that is right for you, then go for it! I don't think they expect nearly that much but I doubt they will say no. Go for all cash/gift card.

I just gave both of my daughter's teachers a $50 gift card each. They do an awesome job with the kids (kindergarten) and I think nearly all teachers are underpaid. I think it is great that they can budget their earnings and then go out to eat with their gifts given at Christmas & end of year.

I couldn't afford to do it when my older daughter was growing up, but since I can now, I do.

So I would do the $50 gift and let them buy their own chocolate dessert if they choose.

50.00$$ wow i must be one cheap mom..lol.. even though i do appreciate my kids teacher i cant afford to give that big of gifts, so i always give the same gift, different teachers but same gift every year... i give a gift bag full of different stuff, like candles, photo album, chocolate goodies,i dont spend more than 20 at the most i dont think its the price that counts i think its the thought...

IMO, nothing is ever too much to spend on a teacher's gift. Unfortunately my funds are not unlimited. Our teachers prefer gifts for the classroom. A gift card from the teacher's store or even lunch. Actually anything given I am sure they would appreciate.

I did $50 and a gift for my 1st grader's teacher and $30 and a gift for my preschooler's teacher. I think either would be fine! So glad you appreciate your son's teacher!

If you can easily afford $50, I don't see a problem with that amount.

I would like to make another suggestion... perhaps not for this particular time, but you might want to consider it for a future gift. If you have a talent in making some item, or a special type of unique item that you can purchase, these often are treasured by teachers. Examples from my own experience: one little girl gave me a lovely bracelet that featured kids around it. I wore it constantly for a number of years until it finally wore out and broke.
Another family had a sideline business importing items from Mexico. Over the years that I worked with their daughter, I received a lovely serape' and a really nice piece of pottery for my patio.
Other children made handcrafted items, such as Christmas tree ornaments made from pine cones.
Whether the item was large and relatively expensive, or small, homecrafted and inexpensive, the love and thoughtfullness that was put into the gift meant a lot to me and I have treasured those gifts over the years.

I don't spend more than $25 on gifts at that level.
NOW my kids have 2 and 3 teachers a piece so I don't spend more than 20$ And this year the kids made their teachers gifts.

my son's preschool always had a room parent collect money for one large gift card. The suggested price per family was $20. The teachers filled out a form at the beginning of the year that listed their favorite things (basically hints as to where to either get a gift card or present). At Christmas time i collected the money and the majority voted for a gift card from target.

Many of the same kids are in his kinder class and this tradition was continued by the room mother.

Another friend of mine is a teacher in a very low income area. She was surprised to see that i order a JK necklace for my son's extra teacher. She said the families at her school did not understand the concept of a room parent. So her situation is ironic. she has 4 kids in a more affluent school and $20 per kid per class is the norm, yet she had a shelve full of dollar store items.

I would be comfortable giving the same amount in appreciation anyone gives other professionals for appreciation of a job well done.

Do what is in your heart. I have an active 6 yo, and his teachers were very patient with him. Because I knew the end of the year would be busy, I recognized their hard work during teacher appreciation week.One day I gave them each a coffee from Starbucks, the next day a text telling them how much they were appreciated, another day one of the small boxes of chocolates, then I gave them each a gift certificate for a 1 hour massage.

Well, I gave my son's preschool teachers each $25 gift card for Christmas, and they let me know that they thought that was too much. I've been doing $10 ever since then. Now that he's in grade school he only has one teacher, so I probably could do more.

I don't mean to discourage you. Just letting you know that others might not be giving as much.

You are very sweet! I think $50 is a lot. If you know the teachers well, they might not be uncomfortable but rather extremely grateful and happy you acknowledge their care for your active child ;)...but I'd go with a box of candy and a gift card.

In the end though, do what makes you happy. You are showing your appreciation and if it comes from the heart, go for it!

Speaking as a former preschool teacher...Yes I would love to get a $50 gift card, but honestly, $20-$25 is more than enough.