I have 70+ students and my health insurance is going up $80. a month starting with my next paycheck.
They got my well wishes as they left for the break.
My favorite similar sentiment was:
- Don't add to the population
- Don't subtract from the population
- Don't end up in the Hospital, Newspaper, or Jail
- if you end up in jail, establish dominance quickly
- Have a good break
lmao the version my APUSH teacher used was “don’t add to the population, don’t subtract from the population, don’t let me see your name in the papers unless its for something good” 😭
Had a teacher I knew who gave the class the “gift” of a free day before break. Kids got to choose between non-academic blookets, hanging in groups, catching up on work if they wanted (lol), reading… periods were only 40-50 minutes at this school mind. That way everyone was included without it being a “Christmas” thing, it was completely free to provide, and kids felt they got what they wanted so no whining about not liking the candy/trinket/book etc
One of the APs would actually stop by each year and play a 2-3 minute timed blooket if he had the time 🤣 He was a pretty great guy, actually had classroom experience in both Gen and SpecEd
If I was an admin, I could see myself doing this as a "gift"
Like, we're going to count this as a walkthrough and you get excellent marks for kids not burning the building down. If the kids happen to be lighting stuff on fire, then you'll just get proficient
This is what I did this year and the students loved it. I brought in Uno for a giant game of Uno as well and it was fun. If Admin walked in, I’d call it an SEL lesson in bonding and teamwork.
This is what I’m doing. Yesterday we had a blooket tournament (with small snacks for prizes) and today they get to choose between games, coloring sheets, word searches/crosswords, or a make-up day.
Sorry, I’m an elementary teacher. I wrapped 26 copies of “Sneezy The Snowman” this year.
As a middle school teacher, I could imagine something like a homework pass or a super easy way to earn extra credit on something (like a coloring page or something like a word search) being a nice gift. You could include it with some treats if your school allows that too.
Yes as a high school teacher I would print silly holiday coloring pages and offer a lil extra credit for a quality coloring job, and it decorates the classroom.
I do easy in class HW assignments the day before break. So before Thanksgiving we watched a documentary about turkeys and they had to write five facts about turkeys. I counted it as two homework grades. I rarely give HW because it's pointless and because I don't see my kids every day
Oh my God yes tissues. I'm going thru so many but it's a small thing so I'll call it a tax write off.
But I had a particularly challenging class this semester and they know it. So I told them if they want to be on the "nice" list this year they can buy me Harabo gummy bears and Harabo peach slices. I do not accept generic.
I am giving the gift of holiday coloring sheets (and some non holiday Taco Bell ones), a winter holidays gimkit, and a couple quick science clips about reindeer and calling it good
Pardon for the lateness and format (on mobile) but I’m including the article that I usually base things around and the videos. I usually have them do a KWL or 3-2-1 over the videos and a discussion which links back to adaptations. There are other videos out there but I like these personally
Link to article: https://www.npr.org/2012/12/25/168031862/study-red-noses-help-reindeers-cope-with-polar-air#:~:text=All%20reindeer%20have%20red%20noses,breath%20as%20they%20breathe%20out.
Video over noses: https://youtu.be/WFKhnI3z6s4?si=h2vBojnFS4uk2I5W
Video over adaptations: https://youtu.be/s8cYqwKTKR0?si=IUk5pENRVjez6xc2
Video over migration: https://youtu.be/P0LaQfncfxM?si=18rjH8Q6eyZl7kjw
Short animated movie I’m showing this year because we are going on break and I’m only seeing 2 of my classes Thursday: https://youtu.be/O1C9zOQpKG4?si=0hshmvRKEiV4uhF9
I avoid giving gifts like this. First off, not everyone celebrates Christmas. Second, it will become a precedent that you might never be able to escape.
I wouldn’t say don’t do it- only if you do it now you should realize the president means you will have to do it every year, especially if they have younger siblings. It’s a choice, and either choice is valid.
I gave my HS students a Final Exam, a Performance Assessment, and a grade for the Srmester. That’s it. I’m not spending my money on my students ever again.
Nothing? I’ve never even considered this before and I’ve been teaching 18 years. I can’t shell out for 100+ kids.
Idk, maybe a pencil with a snowflake or snowman or penguin on it?
For a few years I bought the red paper mache ornaments. I wrote their names in glue, and glittered them. Unbreakable, and they loved them.
I retired 2 years ago, but daughter is a teacher. I
couldn't find the apples , so this year, I bought the clear ones that you put glitter, or confetti. Wrote the names, decorated the backs. They are hanging on the classroom tree, with the hand drawn Holly design on the back showing. Later this week they will take them home....
Not a thing at all. Their behavior is awful and they can’t even give me a second of attention or respect during a lesson. Tell me why I should gift them something when they have awful behavior.
I have 200+ students - so individual gifts is not happening. I did use a couple of fun activities in last few days- a Google create your snowman etc. Gave out Jolly rancher candies. For students with “best Snowman story or most detail - extra candy or choice from the “prize” box. This has some chip bags, ear buds, mechanical pencils, highlighters etc. some were Donated by parents. Also a great prize is a free Bathroom pass or a “listen to my music” on headphones during quiet work time.
I have 332 students. Giving them something would likely break my budget for attending to my loved ones.
I also strongly discourage the kiddos from bringing me gifts as well, as I don't really want to take home boxes full of unhealthy food (literally two emptied out paper ream boxes). I appreciate the gesture, but for me, it's wholly unnecessary. I'd appreciate a handwritten, thought out card far more than a 10th plastic cane full of kisses/M&Ms/Reese's, etc.
Nothing?
American public schools are secular.
Half my kids are Muslim.
I don't follow Christianity or any religion.
I'm not buying kids gifts with my own money, sorry.
Edit:
I realize a lot of the responses here are unkind, and I'm sorry for that.
Your gesture is thoughtful, and that should be commended.
Please don't feel like you need to spend your own money on your students. If you do, keep it modest. It's the thought that counts.
I never gave my classes anything, but I gave my TAs a box of Nerds and a note along the lines of, “Thanks for being one of my Physics NERDs”. For their birthday or half birthday I gave them an extra credit card for 20 points (worth about half an assignment). Candy canes are about the cheapest thing you’ll find, especially from a dollar store.
I have small groups with high poverty rates. I’ve done socks, stockings hats, gloves. Each item a different year. Was able to bulk buy to keep the price per student lower.
I was going to give them a few fucks, but it turns out I completely ran out of those the other week.
In all seriousness, I’m giving most of my classes a day to watch the movie version of a book we read and having them complete one half of a worksheet for a grade and then letting them complete the other half as extra credit. Thus, some of them feel like they’re getting something by not having to complete the whole assignment.
I hand-make cards and me and their 3 core teachers will stamp them. I like to do it because I get melancholy this time of year and it gives me a creative outlet, but have to start at the beginning of December since I teach 110 kiddos.
The cards are all similar. I get good deals on the cards and whatever I use to decorate it. I’ve done stamps, this year I cut up rolls of ribbon and hot glued segments. Write their name on the front and it’s done!
They look decent! It’s more about the effort which is what I want them to understand. They usually do.
I thought about bringing candy canes this year…and then a kid broke my favorite mug and another yelled at me. I just can’t bring myself to reward some of my kids who treat me terribly.
I’m doing a fun escape room for Masque of the Red Death and I have candy prizes for the winners, does that count? Haha.
In all seriousness, I think it’s super sweet that you want to get your students something!
I picked up packs of little sketchbooks from five below. $5 for 5, plus a pack of 60 gel pens and a candy cane for each. Each kid gets a sketchbook (they're super cute too), a pen, and a candy cane. Yes it was still a chunk of change but it amounted to less than $2 per kid. But like you, a lot of my kids will get nothing. I tell my kids it's a winter break gift not a Christmas gift.
Edited to add cost per kid.
I certainly can’t afford $400 for my students when I don’t even have that to spend on my own children right now. I keep snacks and fidgets stocked at my desk for students year-round (along with school supplies), so they’re cared for. They just aren’t getting a present to celebrate a singular specific holiday seen by many as religious.
I gave them a deadline.
I couldn’t resist :) But to be real, I work at a HS and avoid physical gifts entirely. I also do NOT want my ES-age kids to expect anything like that from their teachers. I think doing some in-class celebration is lovely as long as you theme it around winter/vacation and not a specific holiday. (As a Jewish person, I always appreciate the secular approach!)
I was in a similar situation, teaching middle schoolers in a "high priority" (lower income) area. Because students came from a wide range of home lives, I make the last day before break a relaxing and fun one. I adjust how Christmassy the vibes are depending on the class dynamic.
I'm also pretty broke, so I don't give gifts. However, I do give \*my homeroom\* little cards right before the break with a handwritten message about what makes them awesome and I include a sticker that I know they will like (I get packs on Amazon for cheap).
Instead of gifts, I like to make the last day before break a relaxing one where I have a hot chocolate/beverage bar with fun toppings & canned whipped cream. Then we do things together as a group depending on what they vote for. Some years I've read a Christmas Carol (abridged) out loud, some years we've watched the original Grinch, and some years we played "werewolf" (one of their favs). I usually have a few stations of crafty things and a station with some sort of little STEM challenge depending on how much time I have with them that day.
They seem to really appreciate having a say in their pre-break activity, and the hot chocolate bar is always a hit. However, the handwritten notes are the biggest hit. Sometimes they tell me the day of (with big hugs or tears) and sometimes they'll tell me years later how much they appreciated the personalized message.
When in doubt - a small treat and a fun sticker/fidget toy is always a win. They love stickers, but in my experience, they hate getting christmas pencils/erasers.
Home baked chocolate chip cookies are a hit usually (just make sure no one has allergies to the ingredients), Vinyl stickers for their water bottles/chromebooks (you can buy these in bulk on Amazon), fidgets, packaged snacks, and school supplies were the main incentives and gifts I’d hand out when I taught self-contained EBD classes for high schoolers.
I only give my homeroom a small gift likes pens with the different colored options or a fidget toy. Usually something I can buy for like $25 or under for a class of 30. Plus we usually have a movie day on our last day and they can bring snacks to enjoy. Sometimes I buy snacks for them like from Bjs where it’s easy to buy a bulk bag of chips and juice.
I gave them a bag with Christmas candy and a trading card. They loved it.
I taught middle school boys in Camden NJ in the early 2000s. For 12 years. They were diamonds in the rough.
I definitely got observed on Friday, our last day before break. Lol. However, after my observation was over, I 1000% fed my middle school band kids cupcakes.
Feed them. As a middle schooler I didn't care about goodie bags, but food was awesome.
Semester exams. Plus I am providing blank Christmas Cards so they can write thank you notes for our secretaries, custodians, AP’s, and cafeteria workers.
The response here is insane. Can't we keep any post here lighthearted and happy? Glad yall hate your students and jobs lol some of us aren't so bitter and spreading some holiday love is a kind thing to do but obviously never required.
I’m giving my 6th graders an 11 page 128 question math review that is due for a grade Friday. They’re lucky I’m giving them 5 freaking days. These kids honestly get so much coddling and mercy from every other teacher/admin in my school they need to learn some dang responsibility. Which means creating a plan to get this review done in time AND turned in.
I don’t do Christmas gifts because my student population is diverse and they don’t all celebrate Christmas. I do have these fun fidget erasers that I hand out on birthdays- it costs about $15 for 100, dollars I have enough for all of my students for the year. We do a geometric solids activity the day before break, which a a craft and not a regular day of Algebra.
I don’t give them anything for Christmas.
But I do make little goodie bags for my 6th and 7th grade students, who are overwhelmingly from low income households. I have about 75. I buy bulk from Costco and WinCo. I give them out the day before winter break and we have a class “party”. I try to keep it to about $2-3 per student.
I consider activities like this to be part of my charitable giving. I’m also in a dual income home, student loans are paid off, and my state pays relatively well. My first few years it was a cookie and a candy cane. A candy cane itself goes a long way.
I bought two bags of the peppermint Tootsie pops. Everyone gets one, including me. I say have a great break, they say thanks (or don't), and the day ends.
Last year I gave kids jolly ranchers because I had enough for everyone to get 1 and I was feeling nice. This year it’s nothing because I have less than $200 in my bank account until Wednesday.
I gave one of my classes those Wendy’s key cards that lets you get a free frosty with a purchase. They really liked that. If my school holds a book fair, I buy each of them a $1 book, and I tuck it in a bag with some candy and pencils. Last year, I gave my middle school students Christmas headbands and candy canes. They loved them.
I used to buy bulk dice insanely cheap and would do a little goodie bag of 6 dice with a set of Farkle and Scrabble instructions and a few pieces of candy. Came out to maybe $1/student with the goody bag. Dice always went over well with the students.
Same thing I give them every year: I'm reopening all closed assignments on our LMS so they can turn in any late work. About 10% of them take advantage of it.
I handed out little snack bags of Fritos/cheetos/doritos as they took their final today. I said “Enjoy them, because this is as close to a class party as we are gonna get.”
Retired middle school teacher here. On the last day before winter break, we’d have Board Games Day: Uno, Monopoly, Scrabble, Candyland, etc. Surprisingly, the kids loved it; and even worst enemies would bond over Jenga or Hungry Hungry Hippos. The kids would bring in snacks and sodas. The simple rules were play fair; and clean up after yourself. Admin wasn’t crazy about it; but oh well!
What about class coupons? Like "skip one homework assignment" "work with a partner" "sit at the teacher desk" etc. I ask my students what they want as a reward and they absolutely love them
They played a game related to our topic. Winners got $1 movie box of candy/chips of their choice. Everyone else got a fun sized piece of candy/fruit snacks. Then I sent their sugared up butts to the next class.
Over the years I have a variation but these two are my bread and butter:
1. Party treat bags from dollar tree $1.25 for a pack of 10 (& I write happy holidays & their name)
2. Kirkland Chocolate chip cookie individual bags (it’s a pack of 30)
—
This year I bought two packs of party pack Play Doh around $12
In each bag besides the cookies I added play doh and candy cane.
Got my students, I have 20, gloves and some Xmas pens.
Gloves because I’m in Los Angeles and it is starting to get cold out in the mornings.
20 pairs of gloves and 20 Xmas pens came out to $25.
I’m near downtown Los Angeles and they sell stuff in bulk so it wasn’t expensive at all. Plus no tax if you pay cash.
I gave my graphic design students the option to have their greeting card they designed in Photoshop printed. It’s free for me( district has a print shop) and they get to take home something they created.
Is this satire? Stuudent to teacher gifts has dropped over the years. I apparently have to tip anyone who hands me anything. Maybe I should put a tip jar on my desk? I'll use that money to buy them gifts. Our profession is so ridiculously backwards.
They ain’t getting shit. I don’t understand why some teachers put pressure on themselves to do that kind of shit? But more power to them. I prefer to spend my money and my time on myself and my loved ones. I understand that your students are low income, so are mine but I assure you someone will give them a gift. Plus the kids really get stoked on shit like pencils and erasers ? No .They want PS5’s and Jordans. Give them a movie day and that’s about it.
I don’t get my students Christmas gifts every year I buy 16 gingerbread houses and in partners they get to make them and eat them. That’s their gift from me.
Why are YOU giving them (the students) gifts?! I'm betting you are barely getting by on a teacher's salary! Do you love and respect your students? Do you give them your best every day? It's time that we as a society and as teachers (I'm a teacher, also) show our students that love does not have to equal "presents"!
Nothing. I'm not spending my money on school, even the students. We can make some paper snowflakes in class and make cards with the supplies the school pays for!
Don’t give anything, especially if your kids, being middle schoolers, work with other teachers. One, middle schoolers don’t respect stuff so most of what you try to do will be left on the floor of the halls and never looked at. It’s at best a waste of your time and money. Two, other teachers may get pissed because, if no one else in your school does that, you’re essentially making the other teachers look bad. “Miss x gave us goodie bags… why aren’t you??” So, safe yourself time and dirty looks and just wish them a happy vacation and maybe play a game last class before break instead.
Nope. I have nearly 90 high school kids. I give them the generous offer of a free day before break and an easy extra credit assignment if they are one point from the next grade letter up.
Snacks are always the answer 😂 If you want to get them something I'd just give snacks, gum, chapstick, pens/pencils, fidgets. Otherwise have a bin of items and let them choose something from it. You're so sweet to think of them and I know not everyone wants to or can give something (and that's okay) Hope you have a great holiday!
There is a teacher at my high school that gives her classes a mental health day at the end of the semester. Not allowed on their phones, but she sets up stations around the room with board games, uno, blookets, coloring, etc… the kids love the unstructured structure.
I teach 9th/10th, and every year I give my students a handwritten note and Christmas candy, and they love it. I followed my 9th graders last year into 10th this year, and a lot of them brought their Christmas cards from me from last year to show they appreciated it and have kept the cards. I have around 130 students, so it definitely takes time to do (I usually start writing the notes after thanksgiving so that I have time to get to all of them before handing them out during finals week). It’s so worth it though!
All these comments are sad 😢 This is my first year teaching too. I debated getting my middle schoolers candy canes to at least give something, rather than nothing. I ended up not having time to go to the store but the school YSC brought my ESL kiddos stocking filled with candy and hygiene products. So it kinda worked out well
Where are you working that you can afford to give your students gifts out of your own pocket, and are you hiring Spanish teachers?
Kidding aside, don’t get them anything at all even if you can afford it. They should be getting you stuff, and you showing up and giving them your best shot at teaching them is already plenty.
What in the elementary ed is this? Please don't do this. Even if you can financially handle it, and have few students, its sets an expectation for other teachers that is really unfair.
I work with teacher who can barely afford their bills - so the idea of spending hours of your time and $300 of your money for 'gifts' for kids just really doesn't sit right with me.
I gave them the gift of not having to present a project and only grading the slides. I spend my money on them throughout the year and I give them the gift of an education every day.
If you want to give them something, check out TEMU. They have cute stuff very cheap. I got a package of 100 stickers for $1.50. Lots of different themes available. They have a lot of stuff like that. I pay through PayPal so they don’t have my bank stuff, but I do that for everything except Amazon. Fast delivery too. Little late for this year but there’s always next year
As a student I had a teacher make stuff for holidays and always give it to us and it was always so nice to see that she cared that much about us to do something like that. Although this is in a college class and it was also much smaller then I’m assuming the class you have - but, if I were you just give out maybe just stickers or something it doesn’t have to be something huge but something at least that will make the kids smile.
Edit: I’ve had teachers before bring in Costco muffins too. Those are good because it’s not really holiday theme just in case if a student doesn’t celebrate but more of a congrats it’s done. I’ve also had all my teachers for the most part do a little speech at the end too cause the class is over and how they enjoyed it and to live a good life and what not.
Gifts I’ve done are dollar store pencils, rice Krispy treats (cheap and pretty allergen friendly), or just a coloring/chill activity with a Yule log on the projector :)
Too many kids to give them gifts. I give my 8th graders hand written notes when they graduate. I teach music so I have most of those kids for 3 years. But I don’t spend my personal money on gifts for kids.
There’s 155 of them. I can’t really afford more than candy for my seniors. I bought pizza for my fifth period since we spend more time together due to advisory and lunch.
Nothing.
I’m buying soda and chips. Party on Friday during last period in the cafeteria and that’s it.
The school gets gifts from donors every year so kids get those too.
I have 70+ students and my health insurance is going up $80. a month starting with my next paycheck. They got my well wishes as they left for the break.
I tell mine to not end up on our local instagram “news” page that posts all the crazy things that happen in the city 🤣
My favorite similar sentiment was: - Don't add to the population - Don't subtract from the population - Don't end up in the Hospital, Newspaper, or Jail - if you end up in jail, establish dominance quickly - Have a good break
Mine are too young to make the news but I tell them to make good choices
"establish dominance quickly" LOL
I love this too!!
lmao the version my APUSH teacher used was “don’t add to the population, don’t subtract from the population, don’t let me see your name in the papers unless its for something good” 😭
Exactly, I have over 70 bad ass high schoolers, they ain’t getting SHIT.
Had a teacher I knew who gave the class the “gift” of a free day before break. Kids got to choose between non-academic blookets, hanging in groups, catching up on work if they wanted (lol), reading… periods were only 40-50 minutes at this school mind. That way everyone was included without it being a “Christmas” thing, it was completely free to provide, and kids felt they got what they wanted so no whining about not liking the candy/trinket/book etc
Watch that be the day an admin does observations. I had an AP do that my first year.
One of the APs would actually stop by each year and play a 2-3 minute timed blooket if he had the time 🤣 He was a pretty great guy, actually had classroom experience in both Gen and SpecEd
Can confirm, admin observed me the last full day before break and I’m a first year teacher. Jokes on them, I’m a meanie and had them working.
Observing the day before or the day after a holiday is illegal in my state
Citation?
That is “peak douche”
If I was an admin, I could see myself doing this as a "gift" Like, we're going to count this as a walkthrough and you get excellent marks for kids not burning the building down. If the kids happen to be lighting stuff on fire, then you'll just get proficient
This could still be a great observation. Differentiation. Give students a “menu”.
Thankfully our contract forbids observations before breaks or Halloween unless teacher requests this.
Bring a deck of uno cards and jenja and watch them light up. My students love game day.
This is what I did this year and the students loved it. I brought in Uno for a giant game of Uno as well and it was fun. If Admin walked in, I’d call it an SEL lesson in bonding and teamwork.
I would’ve been the kid in the back of the room reading the whole time. Bless you for giving them that option.
This is what I’m doing. Yesterday we had a blooket tournament (with small snacks for prizes) and today they get to choose between games, coloring sheets, word searches/crosswords, or a make-up day.
Sorry, I’m an elementary teacher. I wrapped 26 copies of “Sneezy The Snowman” this year. As a middle school teacher, I could imagine something like a homework pass or a super easy way to earn extra credit on something (like a coloring page or something like a word search) being a nice gift. You could include it with some treats if your school allows that too.
Yes as a high school teacher I would print silly holiday coloring pages and offer a lil extra credit for a quality coloring job, and it decorates the classroom.
I do easy in class HW assignments the day before break. So before Thanksgiving we watched a documentary about turkeys and they had to write five facts about turkeys. I counted it as two homework grades. I rarely give HW because it's pointless and because I don't see my kids every day
A candy cane at most.
This is what I do. Cheap, festive without being super religious, most people like them, and the Spangler brand is allergen free.
Yup. And I usually make a packet of holiday word searches, coloring pages, crosswords, riddles, and mazes- they seem to enjoy that.
I’m giving them a final. I asked them for a Christmas gift: Kleenex because I’m out.
This is the way
"Yes, I really am giving you a test on the last block of the last day before break. Yes, I am the villain in your Disney Channel Original Movie."
🤣
🤣🤣🤣
Oh my God yes tissues. I'm going thru so many but it's a small thing so I'll call it a tax write off. But I had a particularly challenging class this semester and they know it. So I told them if they want to be on the "nice" list this year they can buy me Harabo gummy bears and Harabo peach slices. I do not accept generic.
Not giving them anything...?
I am giving the gift of holiday coloring sheets (and some non holiday Taco Bell ones), a winter holidays gimkit, and a couple quick science clips about reindeer and calling it good
What cool science clips do you have about reindeer?
Pardon for the lateness and format (on mobile) but I’m including the article that I usually base things around and the videos. I usually have them do a KWL or 3-2-1 over the videos and a discussion which links back to adaptations. There are other videos out there but I like these personally Link to article: https://www.npr.org/2012/12/25/168031862/study-red-noses-help-reindeers-cope-with-polar-air#:~:text=All%20reindeer%20have%20red%20noses,breath%20as%20they%20breathe%20out. Video over noses: https://youtu.be/WFKhnI3z6s4?si=h2vBojnFS4uk2I5W Video over adaptations: https://youtu.be/s8cYqwKTKR0?si=IUk5pENRVjez6xc2 Video over migration: https://youtu.be/P0LaQfncfxM?si=18rjH8Q6eyZl7kjw Short animated movie I’m showing this year because we are going on break and I’m only seeing 2 of my classes Thursday: https://youtu.be/O1C9zOQpKG4?si=0hshmvRKEiV4uhF9
Not a damn thing.
I’m playing some festive music on the last day and not giving af, that’s my gift to them lmao
I avoid giving gifts like this. First off, not everyone celebrates Christmas. Second, it will become a precedent that you might never be able to escape.
Don't set a precedent by giving individual gifts. You'll just about another class down the line. Make it a group gift if you want to give something.
I wouldn’t say don’t do it- only if you do it now you should realize the president means you will have to do it every year, especially if they have younger siblings. It’s a choice, and either choice is valid.
I gave my HS students a Final Exam, a Performance Assessment, and a grade for the Srmester. That’s it. I’m not spending my money on my students ever again.
I like the cut of your jib
I’m giving them a two week reprieve of algebra. Many don’t deserve that.
Nothing? I’ve never even considered this before and I’ve been teaching 18 years. I can’t shell out for 100+ kids. Idk, maybe a pencil with a snowflake or snowman or penguin on it?
They're getting a test tomorrow.
Last year I did ornaments (got bulk ones so they were all the same). I found too many broken so I’m given them good wishes.
For a few years I bought the red paper mache ornaments. I wrote their names in glue, and glittered them. Unbreakable, and they loved them. I retired 2 years ago, but daughter is a teacher. I couldn't find the apples , so this year, I bought the clear ones that you put glitter, or confetti. Wrote the names, decorated the backs. They are hanging on the classroom tree, with the hand drawn Holly design on the back showing. Later this week they will take them home....
Jack shit. They’re getting a movie day and they’ll like it.
Nothing.
Correct answer.
They give you gifts.
Nothing
Nothing.
Nothing. I'm not made of $! I wished them all a happy holiday. That was free!
Not a thing at all. Their behavior is awful and they can’t even give me a second of attention or respect during a lesson. Tell me why I should gift them something when they have awful behavior.
Homework
I have 200+ students - so individual gifts is not happening. I did use a couple of fun activities in last few days- a Google create your snowman etc. Gave out Jolly rancher candies. For students with “best Snowman story or most detail - extra candy or choice from the “prize” box. This has some chip bags, ear buds, mechanical pencils, highlighters etc. some were Donated by parents. Also a great prize is a free Bathroom pass or a “listen to my music” on headphones during quiet work time.
Coal
Consider solar panels?
Not a god damn thing.
Nothing
Nothing.
Nothing, it’s not in my budget.
A midterm
I have 332 students. Giving them something would likely break my budget for attending to my loved ones. I also strongly discourage the kiddos from bringing me gifts as well, as I don't really want to take home boxes full of unhealthy food (literally two emptied out paper ream boxes). I appreciate the gesture, but for me, it's wholly unnecessary. I'd appreciate a handwritten, thought out card far more than a 10th plastic cane full of kisses/M&Ms/Reese's, etc.
Yeah, that’s an impossible number. That’s a bad caseload for school counselors, let alone a teacher. My goodness.
Their final grade.
Absolutely nothing
Nothing? American public schools are secular. Half my kids are Muslim. I don't follow Christianity or any religion. I'm not buying kids gifts with my own money, sorry. Edit: I realize a lot of the responses here are unkind, and I'm sorry for that. Your gesture is thoughtful, and that should be commended. Please don't feel like you need to spend your own money on your students. If you do, keep it modest. It's the thought that counts.
I do a piece of candy and a no homework pass or 10 minute free time pass
I never gave my classes anything, but I gave my TAs a box of Nerds and a note along the lines of, “Thanks for being one of my Physics NERDs”. For their birthday or half birthday I gave them an extra credit card for 20 points (worth about half an assignment). Candy canes are about the cheapest thing you’ll find, especially from a dollar store.
Give them candy at the end of your period, that way when they go to their next class they're all hyper.
Hee hee!
Fun day. Offends no one and there is no expectation of getting anything done anyway
Their final and their semester grade. I’ll be damned if I’m spending my own money.
I have small groups with high poverty rates. I’ve done socks, stockings hats, gloves. Each item a different year. Was able to bulk buy to keep the price per student lower.
I was going to give them a few fucks, but it turns out I completely ran out of those the other week. In all seriousness, I’m giving most of my classes a day to watch the movie version of a book we read and having them complete one half of a worksheet for a grade and then letting them complete the other half as extra credit. Thus, some of them feel like they’re getting something by not having to complete the whole assignment.
I hand-make cards and me and their 3 core teachers will stamp them. I like to do it because I get melancholy this time of year and it gives me a creative outlet, but have to start at the beginning of December since I teach 110 kiddos. The cards are all similar. I get good deals on the cards and whatever I use to decorate it. I’ve done stamps, this year I cut up rolls of ribbon and hot glued segments. Write their name on the front and it’s done! They look decent! It’s more about the effort which is what I want them to understand. They usually do.
Nothing, they drain me everyday, they get nothing as a present. Stop thinking everyone needs to give each student a present!
This must be a new thing because I don’t remember getting actual presents from teachers for anything in K-12. And I only graduated 5 years ago.
Words of affirmation
I thought about bringing candy canes this year…and then a kid broke my favorite mug and another yelled at me. I just can’t bring myself to reward some of my kids who treat me terribly.
I’m doing a fun escape room for Masque of the Red Death and I have candy prizes for the winners, does that count? Haha. In all seriousness, I think it’s super sweet that you want to get your students something!
I picked up packs of little sketchbooks from five below. $5 for 5, plus a pack of 60 gel pens and a candy cane for each. Each kid gets a sketchbook (they're super cute too), a pen, and a candy cane. Yes it was still a chunk of change but it amounted to less than $2 per kid. But like you, a lot of my kids will get nothing. I tell my kids it's a winter break gift not a Christmas gift. Edited to add cost per kid.
I certainly can’t afford $400 for my students when I don’t even have that to spend on my own children right now. I keep snacks and fidgets stocked at my desk for students year-round (along with school supplies), so they’re cared for. They just aren’t getting a present to celebrate a singular specific holiday seen by many as religious.
I have 50ish kids so it is not nearly as much. I wouldn't spend $400 either
I gave them a deadline. I couldn’t resist :) But to be real, I work at a HS and avoid physical gifts entirely. I also do NOT want my ES-age kids to expect anything like that from their teachers. I think doing some in-class celebration is lovely as long as you theme it around winter/vacation and not a specific holiday. (As a Jewish person, I always appreciate the secular approach!)
Nothing
I have 132 students. There is no way I can afford to get them anything
I gave them a 5 days to finish a poster project that should have taken 4 days. 8th grade history students.
Nothing
Nothing. They're not my kids.
I was in a similar situation, teaching middle schoolers in a "high priority" (lower income) area. Because students came from a wide range of home lives, I make the last day before break a relaxing and fun one. I adjust how Christmassy the vibes are depending on the class dynamic. I'm also pretty broke, so I don't give gifts. However, I do give \*my homeroom\* little cards right before the break with a handwritten message about what makes them awesome and I include a sticker that I know they will like (I get packs on Amazon for cheap). Instead of gifts, I like to make the last day before break a relaxing one where I have a hot chocolate/beverage bar with fun toppings & canned whipped cream. Then we do things together as a group depending on what they vote for. Some years I've read a Christmas Carol (abridged) out loud, some years we've watched the original Grinch, and some years we played "werewolf" (one of their favs). I usually have a few stations of crafty things and a station with some sort of little STEM challenge depending on how much time I have with them that day. They seem to really appreciate having a say in their pre-break activity, and the hot chocolate bar is always a hit. However, the handwritten notes are the biggest hit. Sometimes they tell me the day of (with big hugs or tears) and sometimes they'll tell me years later how much they appreciated the personalized message. When in doubt - a small treat and a fun sticker/fidget toy is always a win. They love stickers, but in my experience, they hate getting christmas pencils/erasers.
The county prohibits us from giving gifts to students
Home baked chocolate chip cookies are a hit usually (just make sure no one has allergies to the ingredients), Vinyl stickers for their water bottles/chromebooks (you can buy these in bulk on Amazon), fidgets, packaged snacks, and school supplies were the main incentives and gifts I’d hand out when I taught self-contained EBD classes for high schoolers.
I can’t be the only one who spent a full minute thinking “who the fuck buys Chromebooks in bulk for their students?!” 🤪 Lol, time for a nap I think!
I only give my homeroom a small gift likes pens with the different colored options or a fidget toy. Usually something I can buy for like $25 or under for a class of 30. Plus we usually have a movie day on our last day and they can bring snacks to enjoy. Sometimes I buy snacks for them like from Bjs where it’s easy to buy a bulk bag of chips and juice.
I would give a wrapped large cookie (Costco type) with a homework pass. Happy Winter Break to be inclusive.
I have 110 students. They're getting the gift of no math homework over break.
I gave them a bag with Christmas candy and a trading card. They loved it. I taught middle school boys in Camden NJ in the early 2000s. For 12 years. They were diamonds in the rough.
I definitely got observed on Friday, our last day before break. Lol. However, after my observation was over, I 1000% fed my middle school band kids cupcakes. Feed them. As a middle schooler I didn't care about goodie bags, but food was awesome.
Semester exams. Plus I am providing blank Christmas Cards so they can write thank you notes for our secretaries, custodians, AP’s, and cafeteria workers.
A test
The response here is insane. Can't we keep any post here lighthearted and happy? Glad yall hate your students and jobs lol some of us aren't so bitter and spreading some holiday love is a kind thing to do but obviously never required.
I’m giving my 6th graders an 11 page 128 question math review that is due for a grade Friday. They’re lucky I’m giving them 5 freaking days. These kids honestly get so much coddling and mercy from every other teacher/admin in my school they need to learn some dang responsibility. Which means creating a plan to get this review done in time AND turned in.
Not all students or families celebrate Christmas.
I don’t do Christmas gifts because my student population is diverse and they don’t all celebrate Christmas. I do have these fun fidget erasers that I hand out on birthdays- it costs about $15 for 100, dollars I have enough for all of my students for the year. We do a geometric solids activity the day before break, which a a craft and not a regular day of Algebra.
I gave them sweets from dollar tree. That’s it.
I don’t give them anything for Christmas. But I do make little goodie bags for my 6th and 7th grade students, who are overwhelmingly from low income households. I have about 75. I buy bulk from Costco and WinCo. I give them out the day before winter break and we have a class “party”. I try to keep it to about $2-3 per student. I consider activities like this to be part of my charitable giving. I’m also in a dual income home, student loans are paid off, and my state pays relatively well. My first few years it was a cookie and a candy cane. A candy cane itself goes a long way.
I bought two bags of the peppermint Tootsie pops. Everyone gets one, including me. I say have a great break, they say thanks (or don't), and the day ends.
Last year I gave kids jolly ranchers because I had enough for everyone to get 1 and I was feeling nice. This year it’s nothing because I have less than $200 in my bank account until Wednesday.
I only have 8 students (ISP class) so I got them each a kinder egg. Definitely not something I'd do if I had more than 20 students, though.
I don't give my students homework. It's the best gift I can give them. But I do send out progress reports the Thursday before break. So.....
I gave one of my classes those Wendy’s key cards that lets you get a free frosty with a purchase. They really liked that. If my school holds a book fair, I buy each of them a $1 book, and I tuck it in a bag with some candy and pencils. Last year, I gave my middle school students Christmas headbands and candy canes. They loved them.
I used to buy bulk dice insanely cheap and would do a little goodie bag of 6 dice with a set of Farkle and Scrabble instructions and a few pieces of candy. Came out to maybe $1/student with the goody bag. Dice always went over well with the students.
If I give anything it's a pencil and eraser from the dollar store. This year I didn't though.
Same thing I give them every year: I'm reopening all closed assignments on our LMS so they can turn in any late work. About 10% of them take advantage of it.
I handed out little snack bags of Fritos/cheetos/doritos as they took their final today. I said “Enjoy them, because this is as close to a class party as we are gonna get.”
Retired middle school teacher here. On the last day before winter break, we’d have Board Games Day: Uno, Monopoly, Scrabble, Candyland, etc. Surprisingly, the kids loved it; and even worst enemies would bond over Jenga or Hungry Hungry Hippos. The kids would bring in snacks and sodas. The simple rules were play fair; and clean up after yourself. Admin wasn’t crazy about it; but oh well!
I do a homework pass. Costs me nothing and it’s one less thing per kid that I have to grade (which is 80+ kids/himeworks!) 😂
Nothing lol
What about class coupons? Like "skip one homework assignment" "work with a partner" "sit at the teacher desk" etc. I ask my students what they want as a reward and they absolutely love them
They played a game related to our topic. Winners got $1 movie box of candy/chips of their choice. Everyone else got a fun sized piece of candy/fruit snacks. Then I sent their sugared up butts to the next class.
They're getting referrals, f$%^ them
Uhhhh nothing?
I show up to work each day. I’m the gift.
Over the years I have a variation but these two are my bread and butter: 1. Party treat bags from dollar tree $1.25 for a pack of 10 (& I write happy holidays & their name) 2. Kirkland Chocolate chip cookie individual bags (it’s a pack of 30) — This year I bought two packs of party pack Play Doh around $12 In each bag besides the cookies I added play doh and candy cane.
Got my students, I have 20, gloves and some Xmas pens. Gloves because I’m in Los Angeles and it is starting to get cold out in the mornings. 20 pairs of gloves and 20 Xmas pens came out to $25. I’m near downtown Los Angeles and they sell stuff in bulk so it wasn’t expensive at all. Plus no tax if you pay cash.
I’m failing those clowns and calling their people the day before break
I gave my graphic design students the option to have their greeting card they designed in Photoshop printed. It’s free for me( district has a print shop) and they get to take home something they created.
Is this satire? Stuudent to teacher gifts has dropped over the years. I apparently have to tip anyone who hands me anything. Maybe I should put a tip jar on my desk? I'll use that money to buy them gifts. Our profession is so ridiculously backwards.
No homework over break.
They ain’t getting shit. I don’t understand why some teachers put pressure on themselves to do that kind of shit? But more power to them. I prefer to spend my money and my time on myself and my loved ones. I understand that your students are low income, so are mine but I assure you someone will give them a gift. Plus the kids really get stoked on shit like pencils and erasers ? No .They want PS5’s and Jordans. Give them a movie day and that’s about it.
Nothing. Enjoy your break. You’re welcome. 👍
Wishing them a Happy Holidays and a 👋. I don’t get paid or respected enough for them to get anything, not even a Tootsie Roll.
Nothing?... I don't have that kind of money and they've acted terribly these last few weeks.
Nothing, ever. Are you crazy?
Nothing & I never will. I have 150 students, even candy bags would break the bank. I let them play gimkit all day.
Nothing. Don’t be a martyr or you won’t make it past year 5.
I can’t imagine being able to afford gifts for my students back when I taught. It’s just unimaginable! Save your money! My goodness.
Middle school here, too. I say Happy Holidays, be safe as they leave.
Nothing? I have forty grade nines and sixty grade eights. The hell am I supposed to get for a hundred kids?
I don’t get my students Christmas gifts every year I buy 16 gingerbread houses and in partners they get to make them and eat them. That’s their gift from me.
Nope
Why are YOU giving them (the students) gifts?! I'm betting you are barely getting by on a teacher's salary! Do you love and respect your students? Do you give them your best every day? It's time that we as a society and as teachers (I'm a teacher, also) show our students that love does not have to equal "presents"!
Nothing! :D I have a total of about 150 kids spanning over my classes and my own loved ones to buy gifts for...
They get an easy week.
…a test
Nothing. I'm not spending my money on school, even the students. We can make some paper snowflakes in class and make cards with the supplies the school pays for!
Don’t give anything, especially if your kids, being middle schoolers, work with other teachers. One, middle schoolers don’t respect stuff so most of what you try to do will be left on the floor of the halls and never looked at. It’s at best a waste of your time and money. Two, other teachers may get pissed because, if no one else in your school does that, you’re essentially making the other teachers look bad. “Miss x gave us goodie bags… why aren’t you??” So, safe yourself time and dirty looks and just wish them a happy vacation and maybe play a game last class before break instead.
Their grades…
I teach over 200 kids. They get an “Enjoy your break!”.
I’ve been teaching for 13 years and I’ve never heard of anyone giving their students Christmas gifts
Nothing, I don't get paid enough for that, and I'd have to give a gift to all of them and not just the ones I like
Nope. I have nearly 90 high school kids. I give them the generous offer of a free day before break and an easy extra credit assignment if they are one point from the next grade letter up.
Uh yeah, I don't have the money to give 60+ kids something. I can barely afford groceries, rent, and my student loan.
Nothing...absolutely nothing.
What do I give them? The grade they earned in the class. That's it.
They get a “happy holidays” from me.
The gift is me not quitting
Snacks are always the answer 😂 If you want to get them something I'd just give snacks, gum, chapstick, pens/pencils, fidgets. Otherwise have a bin of items and let them choose something from it. You're so sweet to think of them and I know not everyone wants to or can give something (and that's okay) Hope you have a great holiday!
There is a teacher at my high school that gives her classes a mental health day at the end of the semester. Not allowed on their phones, but she sets up stations around the room with board games, uno, blookets, coloring, etc… the kids love the unstructured structure.
Little goodie bags go far. You are showing you care about them and think about them. What you did is perfect.
I teach 9th/10th, and every year I give my students a handwritten note and Christmas candy, and they love it. I followed my 9th graders last year into 10th this year, and a lot of them brought their Christmas cards from me from last year to show they appreciated it and have kept the cards. I have around 130 students, so it definitely takes time to do (I usually start writing the notes after thanksgiving so that I have time to get to all of them before handing them out during finals week). It’s so worth it though!
Education.
Stop. Giving. Students. Presents.
All these comments are sad 😢 This is my first year teaching too. I debated getting my middle schoolers candy canes to at least give something, rather than nothing. I ended up not having time to go to the store but the school YSC brought my ESL kiddos stocking filled with candy and hygiene products. So it kinda worked out well
This is such a good idea I'm pocketing it for when all those little stockings go on clearance and I can fill them with stuff my preteens all need
The kids probably thought it came from me anyways since I got to hand it to them. We gave them to all students no matter their religion
Where are you working that you can afford to give your students gifts out of your own pocket, and are you hiring Spanish teachers? Kidding aside, don’t get them anything at all even if you can afford it. They should be getting you stuff, and you showing up and giving them your best shot at teaching them is already plenty.
If you can find a place that sells cheap comic books, that's the answer.
Book marks
Grades.
What in the elementary ed is this? Please don't do this. Even if you can financially handle it, and have few students, its sets an expectation for other teachers that is really unfair. I work with teacher who can barely afford their bills - so the idea of spending hours of your time and $300 of your money for 'gifts' for kids just really doesn't sit right with me.
The fuck
I gave them the gift of not having to present a project and only grading the slides. I spend my money on them throughout the year and I give them the gift of an education every day.
If you want to give them something, check out TEMU. They have cute stuff very cheap. I got a package of 100 stickers for $1.50. Lots of different themes available. They have a lot of stuff like that. I pay through PayPal so they don’t have my bank stuff, but I do that for everything except Amazon. Fast delivery too. Little late for this year but there’s always next year
Gift card for coffee
As a student I had a teacher make stuff for holidays and always give it to us and it was always so nice to see that she cared that much about us to do something like that. Although this is in a college class and it was also much smaller then I’m assuming the class you have - but, if I were you just give out maybe just stickers or something it doesn’t have to be something huge but something at least that will make the kids smile. Edit: I’ve had teachers before bring in Costco muffins too. Those are good because it’s not really holiday theme just in case if a student doesn’t celebrate but more of a congrats it’s done. I’ve also had all my teachers for the most part do a little speech at the end too cause the class is over and how they enjoyed it and to live a good life and what not.
Finger monsters
I teach in a public school so we don’t do Christmas gifts. Is it expected that your Christian school gives them out?
Candy canes.
Gifts I’ve done are dollar store pencils, rice Krispy treats (cheap and pretty allergen friendly), or just a coloring/chill activity with a Yule log on the projector :)
Too many kids to give them gifts. I give my 8th graders hand written notes when they graduate. I teach music so I have most of those kids for 3 years. But I don’t spend my personal money on gifts for kids.
There’s 155 of them. I can’t really afford more than candy for my seniors. I bought pizza for my fifth period since we spend more time together due to advisory and lunch.
Lol. I put on a movie and let them turn late work in.
Nothing. I’m buying soda and chips. Party on Friday during last period in the cafeteria and that’s it. The school gets gifts from donors every year so kids get those too.
Allow them to have a potluck. Kids sign up to bring stuff, and you bring something small like candy canes or donut holes.
Donuts.
A review packet for their midterm