tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post6425861287350603183..comments2023-09-29T06:00:09.242-05:00Comments on Julie Pippert: Using My Words: Tipping, the Teacher Gift, Cards for all, and I DON'T want candy!Julie Pipperthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03169574697104642479noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-56711925065064442612006-12-20T08:33:00.000-06:002006-12-20T08:33:00.000-06:00Alex, just checked out your blog. First, LOL about...Alex, just checked out your blog. First, LOL about the British accent. My DD has a little MA accent remaining, but fading...fast. She already gasps, "COLD!" when the weather (rarely) drops into the 60s LOL.<br /><br />Second, I agree that teachers probably deserve a two-week cruise or vacation too, all expenses paid, but like you, that's a bit beyond our reach.<br /><br />For me it's a major budgetary constraint.<br /><br />We committed to a cash/debt-free lifestyle. I worked really hard to save up and have a strict budget that I stayed within for gifts for close family. Unfortunately, it doesn't allow me space for reasonable gifts (such as a $20 GC or similar), especially when I think of all the wonderful teachers (not to mention other service providers) who enrich my kids lives. Gymnastics, Language, Music, Tutors, Teachers, Aids, etc. Just for my one daughter it would be almost $150 in gift cards if I did $20 amounts. OY!<br /><br />I could Plan Ahead (bwahahahahaha!!) and buy ornaments post-Christmas at a discount (sure all her teachers celebrate Christmas...it's a Catholic school) but I didn't do. I'm usually gasping for breath clear until valentine's Day LOL. (And, I confess, I don't really like to shop.)<br /><br />Which brings up the next point. It's not just Christmas. It's birthday, Christmas, Valentine's, Easter and end of year. That adds up!!!<br /><br />I'm not keen on loving with food because (a) I'm on a diet, (b) lots of people are on a diet, and (c) who knows what the food restrictions, allergies, etc might be. E.g., I know one teacher is diabetic.<br /><br />I want to show my appreciation.<br /><br />The generally acepted standard for that seems to be through a tangible gift, such as the ideas on your list.<br /><br />I'm wondering/hoping that a card that says something about how you gift our lives and we appreciate it is enough.<br /><br />I'm sure it is on the receiving end, I just have to feel that way on the giving end. KWIM?Julie Pipperthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169574697104642479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-45731558296007825082006-12-20T08:18:00.000-06:002006-12-20T08:18:00.000-06:00Izzy, yeah, I don't really know who (or how many) ...Izzy, yeah, I don't really know who (or how many) the garbage men are, and while I do sometimes run across the postwoman, we don't know her, but are of course friendly. Still, not to the point that I feel impelled to gift or tip. But maybe I am wrong.<br /><br />As for the gift card and album, I think that sounds awesome.<br /><br />My situation is such that my gift card amount would have to be $5, which is sort of...useless. I can get things for that amount, but I think it would be junk.<br /><br />I'm not sure why I suddenly had a crisis of faith that what we could do---little art cards with special message---wasn't enough.<br /><br />I think like I said, and Alex said too, it was a sort of peer pressure feeling that I needed to give something tangible.<br /><br />I think it is all about appreciation, absolutely. And I'm positive they get that. Especially teachers.<br /><br />As for the feeling that it's needed for "good service" I think probably that's peer pressure too.<br /><br />I just need to process this. Somehow. LOLJulie Pipperthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169574697104642479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-11330381313464254242006-12-19T22:46:00.000-06:002006-12-19T22:46:00.000-06:00I gave my son's preschool teacher a gift card. I ...I gave my son's preschool teacher a gift card. I actually just did a post about it a couple days ago because I was a little confused by the whole teacher gift thing because of the "peer pressure."Alex Elliothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567976812466320977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13083972.post-85666271910550788132006-12-19T16:45:00.000-06:002006-12-19T16:45:00.000-06:00I've pondered these same questions and came to the...I've pondered these same questions and came to the conclusion that I don't even know my garbage men because they're always different, same with the mail carrier (plus they always mess up and give our mail to the neighbors and vice versa) so i don't feel particularly compelled to do anything special. I did give my daughter's teacher a $25 gift card and a small album of photos I took of her and the students at Halloween and I gave the aide just a gift card of the same amount. I'm not trying to buy good grades or whatever but rather to say thank you for being such a good and caring teacher. I hope that is the spirit in which is received. As for anyone else that's not close family, I'm not doing anything. I don't have the time OR the money and felt lucky to get a few Christmas cards out this year.IzzyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02665580688897720715noreply@blogger.com