Feeding Frenzy

By Stacey

December 1, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

I’ve heard teachers say (both in person and on a blog) that they do not eat homemade treats that their students bring in. A few of them said that in years past they “shared” the treats with the whole class so that the kid who brought the gift would know that it was appreciated but now they can’t give homemade treats to the students. They may react differently with you since you are a known “foodie”.

When I was growing up my mother had a friend who made the most delicious bread and rolls that I have ever tasted! For years that’s what she gave for gifts and I don’t think anyone would have wanted anything different from her. I know another lady who used to give her homemade jams and preserves as gifts. My coworker said her mother several pecan trees on her property and she makes seasoned pecans to give to her neighbors. I think that is an excellent idea because I love pecans and they cost $7.99/lb in the grocery store! I hope it helps.

By Mom of 1

December 2, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

I make swarovski crystal bracelets and give them to the teachers.

I also sell them to make extra money.

By Sharona

December 2, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

I am a teacher and the previous poster is correct…We NEVER eat the homemade treats.

By LH

December 2, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

I don’t send in food gifts to teachers. I’ll contribute cash for a class gift. When the budget is tight I’ll simply send in less money.

By TeacherToo

December 2, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

Although I appreciate the effort and time given in making cookies and treats, I usually don’t eat them. I may have one— afterwards I usually put them in the teacher’s workroom or give them to family members.

By Katie B

December 2, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

One of my kids teacher is getting a lump of coal and the other one wil get a Schoolbox gift card!

By LRing

December 2, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

I do not like to pool money because I end up buying a gift as well. My child enjoys handing her something, as it is more personal. His teachers deserves it!!!

By Dave

December 2, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

No lotion/body wash/bubble bath, no candles, no candy filled Christmas mugs, and no more tree ornaments - we have plenty already, thanks. Gift cards are great; Starbucks, movie theater, grocery store, etc.

By MamaS

December 2, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Target gift card - she can use it for herself or for her class. I would never eat homemade goods when I was teaching, so I don’t do them for teachers now. Just imagine — twenty kids each bring in one dozen homemade cookies. That’s 240 cookies! No way!

By Martha

December 2, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

I, too, throw away anything homemade, no matter who the child. I tell my kids NOT to spend ANY money on me at Christmas, but to save their money and buy something for themselves. If they insist, I always like candles for my classroom (cheap is good), PostIt notes, pens or pencils, a tacky magnet or a tacky postcard.

By Martha

December 2, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

I, too, throw away anything homemade, no matter who the child. I tell my kids NOT to spend ANY money on me at Christmas, but to save their money and buy something for themselves. If they insist, I always like candles for my classroom (cheap is good), PostIt notes, pens or pencils, a tacky magnet or a tacky postcard.

By teacher6th

December 2, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

I am a teacher (home today with sick child), and I seldom eat the homemade items given to me. It is not that I do not appreciate them, but it is simply impossible to consume them all. Also, sometimes the goodies are not things that I enjoy. I do enjoy getting cute classroom items: dry erase markers in wild colors, clip boards, magnets, colored paper clips, etc. Some schools ration supplies like copy paper, and in those schools those supplies are cheap when bought in small quantities but expensive when the teacher has to purchase them herself. The best gift a parent can give me is a truly heartfelt note of thanks or recognition for something I have done for their child - especially if it was something I was not even aware impacted the child or family. That is why I teach - to help children.

By LW in BG

December 2, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Last year I made some pistachio nut crunch and gave it to my kids’ teacher and to their bus driver. I don’t know if the teacher ate it, but the bus driver sure sent home high praise for it.

I’ve always been a big fan of homemade gifts. In past years, I’ve made something called Chocolate Crack (one of my kids’ all-time favorites), butter cream candies, gingerbread biscotti and peanut butter/chocolate fudge.

I realize teachers would rather receive gift cards, but the point of the blog is ALTERNATIVES to gift cards, as not everyone is in a financial position to give monetary gifts this year (and maybe we should all just be thankful for any gift we receive, right?).

By 6th grade teach

December 2, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

Parents who insist on making gifts do not know what the real needs of teachers are. If you just pool 2 -5 dollars a student and get a gift card to wall mart, target, kohl’s etc that is so much more worthwhile to a teacher than more treats. They never get eaten and usually end up in the garbage. Sorry this is the truth.

By Becky

December 2, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

When I was in the 4th grade (many years ago), my Mother made my art teacher a door wreath..She worked in a mill where they made the cones that yarn used to be wrapped around..I saw this teacher when I was in the 10th grade & she told me that she still hung that wreath on her door every year..

I am giving my grandchildrens teachers this year a throw blanket that says Greatest Teacher & a hand lotion that has on the package A+ teacher..

By Mo's mo

December 2, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Mom of 1

Do you have a web address or some other contact info for the bracelets you make?

By Scott

December 2, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

As a teacher I have always appreciated gifts, but it has always made me a bit uncomfortable at the same time. I am simply doing the job I love and expect nothing in return. All I want is the love of the students for that is the best gift of all.

By Chef

December 2, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Wow, who knew so many cookies get dumped in the trash. We have always made an edible treat for teachers, bus drivers and other staff members. One year was sour cream poundcake with a jar of cranberry orange sauce, another year was layered peppermint hot chocolate in a jar with a bag of biscotti. This year we decided on three treats in one bag—fudge, buckeye balls and chocolate dipped pretzels. I have seen people eat our treats, so I would be surprised if the vast majority of teachers trash the food.

One last hit from a previous year was gingerbread with a jar of lemon curd. I always find interesting and affordable packaging which helps the goodies look even more attractive.

By peanuts

December 2, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

We middle school teachers get very few gifts since it’s not “cool” to give your teacher anything at this age. However, when we do, it’s always appreciated and welcome.I do have to agree that the sheer volume of cookies, fudge etc. consumed by everyone this time of year certainly isn’t figure friendly. A $5.00 gift card to a video store or Starbucks wouldn’t cost anymore than the ingredients for homemade goodies and would make a nice treat. Another suggestion - one year I made all of my son’s teachers homemade salad dressing and put it in pretty bottles with a bow. They really seemed to like that even though years later I found out he was mortified and wanted to give a “real” present like his friends did.

By PTA President

December 2, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

A friend hipped me to a wonderful gift for teachers that is under $10. Pier 1 has these awesome and beautifully decorated Christmas Tree ornaments that they make each year with the year printed or engraved on them. The come in really nice ornament boxes that are covered in silk or satin material and they are not to personal. Great gifts for teachers!

By Old School Al

December 2, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

I very seldom eat the homeade treats. I have a few parents that send them throughout the year and most of them are active w/PTO or will come and volunteer sometimes. My knowledge of/interaction with the parent dictates whether I will eat the treats.

I truly understand the impact of the economy this year, and I really don’t expect to recieve much, if anything. I would rather the child come to school w/ weather appropriate clothing and necessary school supplies than to come in with a gift for me.

That said, I do appreciate ALL of the gifts that I get, and I make it a point to give each one a personal thank you note for their thoughts. I also usually spend about $100 on an in-class Holiday gala that I have for each of my classes.

By Jeanne Besser

December 3, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Wow! Consider my mind changed! I am so glad i posted this blog. It is clear that food gifts don’t rate and I can understand that (there’s only so much fudge one can eat!)

So it’s back to gift cards and special little treats for me. Teachers, thanks for your honesty and for ALL you do for our kids.

By Fiona

December 3, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

The best thing I ever did as room mother for a very special teacher was collect $5 or so from each of the parents (or less if needed) and bought a gift card to the teacher’s favorite restaurant. She and her husband had a lovely and quiet dinner for two on the class. They were very appreciative!

By motherjanegoose

December 5, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this

Having spent 15 years in the classroom, I agree that homemade food is not the way to go. Some folks think their concoction is wonderful but the recipient may not agree and will quietly dispose of it .

Fiona has a wonderful idea and I have enjoyed this gift myself. Even if the entire class gave $3 each, you could get a gift card for $50 and this would be a meal out for 2 at a reasonable restaurant.

A class gift card to a bookstore is also nice as the teacher would perhaps have some time to read for pleasure after the holidays. Movie tickets are always a hit too!

You want to give the teacher something that will allow them to RELAX! Try to remember that this is not about something YOU like but something the teacher would use. I have even given a canister of store bought hot chocolate and a small book…they can sip and read at their leisure or share the cocoa with their family all winter!

I did see a Pre-K teacher wearing a darling holiday apron that a mom had made for her. If you are crafty and have a preschooler, teachers always need pockets for carrying things…even a belt apron that is decorated with sponge prints by you and your child would be fun..why not make a a fall apron, winter and spring. The PreK/K teacher could wear these in the classroom.

Another fun and easy thing is paper Christmas plates, cups and napkins for entertaining or on a night no one feels like doing dishes. They have pretty ones at Tuesday Morning and you would be spending about $7 or so. Just my thoughts.

By mn sub

December 8, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

I dont get anything now that i am a substitute, but when i was student teaching, it made my day when the class folded a plain piece of paper in half and passed it around and everyone signed it in study hall with a little message..even the kids who I had sent to the office on numerous occasions :) one student gave me a box of cheese-its with a note about how i made a joke one day about how much i liked eating them during my planning hour. i would agree anything for the class would be fun even a cheap pack of fun pens from the dollar store, as those seem to grow legs so easily and it’s always fun to have some that arent your normal bic pens! just ask your child what the teacher likes, or uses a lot in the classroom chances are they have a pretty good idea and you’ll be able to find something fun and worth while at the dollar store, you could even take the kids and give them a dollar to pick something out themselves. Don’t ask parents to throw in money, that always upset my mother, and i know upsets me anytime i hear someone mutter those words, even if you say it is optional they feel pressure not only from the other adults but from their children who would be mortified to find out their parent did something different from the others, and many times they have already purchase something on sale and now feel like they did not get “a good deal” because they spent the money on a thoughtful sale item and now have to pitch in anyways.

By Mic Mac

December 13, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

Please know that often items such as cheap candles, lotions, and bubble bath also end up in the trash too. Sorry.