Is a gift or something expected for my kids karate instructor? He's a wonderful teacher, great with the kids and just an all around great guy. They've been in his class since February and love it! I really don't have a problem getting him something. I know when I was the kids age I was in piano lessons and got my teacher a gift every year. So what would be appropriate? Do I need to get something small for the instructor assistants? (there are two regular ones, both about 18 or 19yo) What do you all think? tia

By Trina~moderator on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 04:08 pm:

I don't think a gift is expected, but since he's such a great guy, a gift of appreciation would be nice. How much were you thinking of spending? A gift card to Blockbuster or something similar would be nice. Would he like a Leatherman tool? You can get a Squirt for about $25.
www.leathermanstore.com

By Kate on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 04:29 pm:

Oh. My. Gosh.

Those Leatherman things are so cool!!! *I* want one!! Can you buy them in a store, so I don't have to pay shipping? Do any of your husbands recommend a particular one? The squirt looked handy and I liked the price....I don't want TOO many bells and whistles, considering my husband has gone his whole life without one and survived...but they do look like they could come in handy! Any input from people who have them? Thanks!

Cat--holiday gifts get so complicated! I'd probably just give him Christmas cookies. One thing I always do that looks nice is take a square of aluminum foil, about one foot by one foot. I make a circle of Hershey kisses in the center and then pile as many kisses as I can into a little tower and then pull the corners of the foil up and mold the whole thing into one large kiss. Then I take ribbon and with a fabric marker or fabric paint I write 'Merry Christmas' or 'Thank you' or whatever the occasion is.

By Andi on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 04:39 pm:

How about a Starbucks gift card? That seems to be something almost everyone would love.

By Cat on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 04:53 pm:

I was looking at spending about $15-$25 for the instructor, and maybe about $10 for each of the assistants. I like the Blockbuster gift card idea. My boys love getting those! They'd probably love giving those. I could have them make a card for each and put them in there. I'm not making Christmas cookies. Too much work and not enough time! lol I'll make chocolate chip cookies with holiday chips in them, and that's about it. lol Andi, I don't drink coffee, so I'd probably never give a gift card to a coffee place unless I know the person drinks it. Like I do have a couple of daycare parents that come in every morning smelling of coffee that would love that.

Btw, dh has a couple different Leatherman tools and he loves them. Those things can do about everything!

By Trina~moderator on Friday, December 3, 2004 - 05:02 pm:

Kate, I have a Leatherman and LOVE it!! I have a Juice model, and it has come in handy many, many times. I originally bought it to use during car seat checks but have found it useful at other times as well. I ordered my Dad, my sister and her husband each a Squirt. They came today and are so *cute*! Smaller than the Juice but perfect for a pocket or key chain. I saw a special Squirt model at Radio Shack (with a graduated wire cutter) but it was $40. Other than that I haven't seen them in stores but then again I haven't looked.

By Colette on Saturday, December 4, 2004 - 08:00 am:

My dk's have been in karate for years and I have never given the instructors a Christmas gift, nor have I seen anyone else give them anything. Are you sure that they celebrate Christmas? The blockbuster gc would be a good idea. I would be hesitant to do a food gift. Our current instructor is extremely particular about what types of food he puts into his body. Our school gives a lot back to the community and does a lot of volunteer work. How about a donation to a charity in the instructors name?

By Cat on Saturday, December 4, 2004 - 10:07 am:

Dh doesn't think we should give him anything, but then again, dh tends to be a penny pinching scrooge! lol We'll see. Maybe the kids will just end up making him a card. Thanx for all the input.

By Fraggle on Monday, December 6, 2004 - 07:18 am:

My girls take dancing lessons and my Dh doesn't think we should buy a gift for her. Last year I bought a gift for my DD's art/craft teacher and my Dh got pretty upset. He said we shouldn't buy gifts for people when we are paying to attend their class. I don't agree with this though. I was thinking about getting their dancing teacher a gift certificate to Borders or something. I'm sure my girls will probably make her some small craft or a card, too. She is the owner of the dancing school and she is the only instructor/choreographer/recital coordinator/secretary. She does a great job and I think this a great time of year to show her how much she is appreciated.

By Happynerdmom on Monday, December 6, 2004 - 07:46 am:

LOL, Fraggle. Your DH sounds like mine! I always get something, anyway. We just had this discussion last night about the paper boy! DH is very generous to family and friends, but beyond that, he can seem like a real grinch!

By Feona on Monday, December 6, 2004 - 08:02 am:

I don't think a gift is expected. I give alot of gifts out to nursery school teachers and such but not for this. But if he is extra special and wonderful than I think he would like $20 in a card.

By My2girlygirls on Monday, December 6, 2004 - 09:50 am:

We do gifts for teachers and instructors. I think it is just a kind gesture. We did a nice box of chocolates for dd's guitar teacher. We will do the same for Sunday School teachers. School teachers, we do something a little bigger, maybe $20. This year so far I have a nice candle holder for the teachers and I will get a nice pillar candle to put in the middle. I think they deserve it. JMHO.