Teacher gifts?

[VanillaCafe]

What's the protocal at international schools in HK? Is it common to give teachers Christmas gifts as a token of thanks? My daughter just started pre-school this year so I had no prior experience.

Since we are on the subject, what about end-of-school-year or back-to-school gifts?

If gifting is indeed a common practice, could you also share some gift ideas?

(Having lived in different countries before moving to HK, I found that different cultures have vastly different ieas in terms of whether parents/children should give gifts to teachers, when to give, and what's appropriate to give. Fascinating.)

 

[0ze_Kid]

Not sure about international schools but I did give my child's teacher a small box of chocolates at playgroup.

 

[VanillaCafe]

Many thanks, Vegemite_kids.

 

[jayinhongkong]

I don't think any teacher would turn down a gift from a parent! I know I wouldn't.

 

[rani]

we send chocolates at xmas. at the end of the year, our class mum collects $ from all of us and buys a nicer gift from the class.

 

[mosmom]

at (non-international!) schools i worked at, parents were given a written notice which stated that no gifts should be given to teachers... nevertheless, some parents did appreciate the teachers' work by giving little christmas, red packets for CNY and/or end-of-year presents (e.g. cosmetic products, a cuddly toy..). i even got gifts for my unborn baby (clothes).
really really appreciated the thoughtfulness, and i don't think i treated any child better than another because of this! rather, i felt happy and appreciated.

 

[MommyTo3]

I just prepared gifts for my oldest's teachers, a Starbucks mug / tea and chocolates + a card (I still need my girl to write her name, draw something, etc. to make it a little more personal). In the US I would always do Barnes & Nobles gift cards ($25 for Xmas and $50 at the end of the year). I am not sure about the end of the school year yet.

 

[tstmum]

I haven't seen anything from my child's pre-school (international) about whether gift giving is allowed for Christmas. I was thinking of book vouchers for the teachers. (One of the teachers I know is constantly on a diet so would not be happy if I gave chocs!!) How much would you spend in HK? HK$50 or $100??

 

[joannek]

i make gingerbread cookies (maybe just 5-10pcs/teacher) for xmas. wrapped nicely in a small container. for end of the year, i gave each (there are 2 teachers in each class) a nice bookmark (cost HK$150).

 

[MommyTo3]

I spent almost $200 per teacher, to give you an idea. But whatever you can afford. It's more the thought.

 

[Buckeroo]

Like joannek, last year I made some gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies and packaged them in a nice clear plastic bag and then had that stuffed into a coffee mug. I haven't decided yet on what to do this year, but will probably try to make mini-muffins instead of cookies. My son made his own Christmas cards this year, so those will be the cards to go along with the presents.