We’re rapidly approaching the end of the school year. That blissful time of the year when the kids come home with overflowing bags of assignments, craft projects, random books, toys that made their way to class, piles of pencil crayons, markers, crayons and school supplies that you’re pretty sure you never bought in the first place, along with unopened packages of paints that they swore to you they needed in September.

The other thing that usually happens at the end of the year, particularly if your children are in elementary school is…teacher gifts. Recently I had a friend on Facebook post that she’d just finished her teacher’s gifts and had spent over $300. Granted she has four kids and bought gifts for all their dance teachers etc. BUT, this got me thinking.

And not necessarily about the price of the gift, because that’s a personal decision and will depend on your own personal circumstances. But it got me thinking about the necessity of the gift.

Now, before all my teacher friends jump all over me. I want to be clear. My kids have been at school for five years now (including kindergarten) and in that time we’ve had teachers that are amazing. I mean, these ladies have made a difference! They inspired, encouraged and excited my kids about learning. My children couldn’t wait to go to class. They wanted to do well, they wanted to learn. These are teachers that my children (and myself) will remember forever. Outstanding.

BUT…and you know there’s a but…

We’ve also had teachers on the other end of the spectrum. Teachers that have actually discouraged my children, had them crying that they don’t want to go to school, made them feel stupid and dampened their joy for learning in some way.

I’m happy to say that we’ve had more good than bad for sure.

So my question is this…are teacher gifts a given, regardless of the experience? For all of those amazing, out of this world teachers, absolutely I want to give them a gift to show my appreciation for their overall awesomeness. In fact, I would have bought them all Tiffany necklaces had it had been in the budget. (Sadly, it was not, sorry ladies.)

But for the others… I guess I’m not so sure. I’d love to hear thoughts on this.

That being said, there is another segment that often gets left out in the end of the year gifting frenzy. The volunteers and coaches. Is your child in Girl Guides or Scouts? Those people are volunteers. They give their own time to educate, excite and entertain your children once a week. They deserve a gift! Coaches? They motivate, encourage and teach your children how to give their all and enjoy it. More often than not, they are also volunteers or make a nominal wage. If they made a difference. Don’t forget them. **

**Disclaimer- If you were a coach or volunteer for my children this year and you happen to read this blog. Please note, you have not been forgotten. It was a rough spring. It’s coming…we appreciate you VERY much.

I know this might be a contentious subject, but I really am curious about what people think? To gift or not to gift?