<p>What are some end of the semester gift ideas for TA's and instructors?</p>
<p>And how long after the last day of class would still reasonable/appropriate to give it to them?</p>
<p>I was thinking a BIG CARD signed by myself and the rest of the class, that says some clever pun and a thanks.</p>
<p>I just send a thank-you email to the non-douchy professors.</p>
<p>Or if I knew they’re grading my final exam, I sometime write a course-related joke I find somewhere.</p>
<p>When I got recommendation letters for grad school from my professors, I sent them each a $50 amazon gift card afterwards. They insisted it wasn’t necessary and it was part of their job, but /shrug</p>
<p>A class-card is nice. As long as it’s non monetary you can give it to them whenever. If for some reason you give them something actually worth some money (say $5 or over) I would wait until after grades are finalized.</p>
<p>"If for some reason you give them something actually worth some money (say $5 or over) I would wait until after grades are finalized. "</p>
<p>lol that is very wise. I would blow a fuse if I gave them a nice gift and ended up not getting an A. </p>
<p>So I guess i can go to the local store and get poster paper and just fold it in half?</p>
<p>I feel like it is going to be a pain trying to round up people to sign it…</p>
<p>I would honestly refrain from giving any ‘gifts’ to your instructors (TAs included) until after the semester. It can be awkward for the receiver as if someone wear to see you giving it to them or overhear (or just somehow find out) about it, might give the impression you have a leverage over everyone else (this quite likely isn’t your intention but people not knowing get ideas) </p>
<p>Only gift thing I gave was a bumper sticker I put on my past instructors door (he was decorating it with his favorite sports teams) and I asked him if I could ahead of time. For me atleast, I’m not that close to any of my past instructors to be giving them gifts. The ones I’m somewhat close to, I see about once week and chat with him for a few min here and there.</p>
<p>Something from the whole class, like cookies that all of you share at the last class, or some nice sentiments from everyone to the professor are nice.</p>
<p>A handshake, a “thanks, I really enjoyed the class” or perhaps a plate of cookies are all nice. </p>
<p>At least those are all things I’ve gotten in four quarters of being a TA.</p>
<p>A nice, short, sweet, specific (and appropriate) thank-you note after grades have been finalized. E-mail will be okay, but handwritten notes are even more special.</p>