coming from teacher, a handwritten note from the child or parent telling what the child has enjoyed and learned is worth far more than any gift that could be given. if you feel the need to do more, write a letter to the principal or superintendent telling them about your experiences in the class, it will go into their file and stay with them far longer than any other token of your appreciation.

That's a great idea.

I got my kids teachers gifts this year. I didn't last year. No reason other then I had the funds available and had to buy items from my daughters daisy troop. they were under $10 and cute. I'm very thankful for thier efforts in teaching my children. I've gone to school to be a teacher, and I'm currently not. I know that what they do takes so much and they get so little in return. I like mom2two's idea, I'm going to send a note from the kids as well.

My kids are a handful and a gift certificate for $49.95 doesn't even come close to all they have to put up with. It's always nice to be appreciated and be able to pick out something they need. My kids grades are never influenced by gift cards. It's just a simple way to say thank you. I do give gifts to the bus drivers also. It always puts a smile on their face. A letter from the child goes with it for a special keep sake.

Our first full year of school, and I love the idea that the teacher did. In lieu of presents for the teacher, it's presents for the classroom! I think it's great, because not only is it stuff that they would have to buy on their own, it's stuff that they will use to help make the kid's year better too! I personally feel awkward giving gifts to teachers, just because it's a guess of what they want/like, but this is a way to help them out and there was a wish list to help out too. A win win I think!

The teachers we have had go above and beyond and I feel they deserve a little something special. We show our appreciation to everyone else this time of year from hair dressers to paper boys, so why not teachers who spend so much time and effort teaching, supporting, and advocating for our kids?

To each his own, but I don't equate teachers to paperboys or bus drivers. They are paid professionals. I do think it is appropriate for the child to think of and give a small gift. They are the ones that have a relationship with the teachers, not the parents. If they want to thank them and have the experience of giving a gift to a person they see nearly every day, it is appropriate. But the act of collecting money to put into separate gift cards, just under the $50 cap, when the children themselves essentially have no involvement in the act of giving, is unnecessary.

Hate to be a grump here, but when a secondary or college teacher I was uncomfortable if I received individual presents, whether from a family or from individual students -- particularly if members of the class knew about what could be seen as 'brown nosing'. Or, they came from families which couldn't afford gifts or culturally felt uncomfy giving them Sometimes our classes would have holiday parties and students were encouraged to bring presents for each other (we made lists) or they all ganged up to give teachers a little box of something. What teachers appreciate is support for good pay and working conditions (think of all the teacher bashing from pols today), and an appreciative and well-thought out letter (with a copy to them) to a principal or superintendent at the end of the year. Hey, I have a great doctor and dentist. I see them as professionals and wouldn't dream of a holiday gift. The person who slogs the mail up my driveway on icy days or throws a paper in the right place every day is something a little bit else. Anyhow, happy holidays to all the teachers out there.

A reader on Natick Patch's Facebook page suggested making a donation to the Natick Education Foundation. http://www.natickedfoundation.org/tributes.html I thought that sounded like a great idea and wanted to pass it along. Many other towns have similar organizations that help teachers fund lessons and activities that might not be possible otherwise.

Our Elementary school went to a policy a few years back where the parents donate needed classroom items for the gifts...ie. paper, office products, kleenex, hand cleaner, even sports equipment for the PE Teacher. The teachers make a wish list so the parents know what is needed.