<p>I'm a junior but I've been asking a couple of teachers for summer program rec letters this year. I feel kinda awkward about it...like I owe them something. Anyway, I figured I'd just get them something nice at the end of the year as a thank-you, especially since I plan on asking most of them for rec letters next year as well.</p>
<p>What kind of gifts do people usually give teachers? I don't want it to seem like I'm sucking up to them or anything...but I do want to give them something as a token of gratitude.</p>
<p>I don't think it's appropriate to buy a gift for a teacher for writing a letter of recommendation, any more than it would be appropriate to buy a teacher a gift for giving you an A. It's part of the job description.</p>
<p>really? but if you get an A, they HAVE to give it to you. Just because you're a stellar student, they don't have to write you a letter of recommendation...they could totally refuse and nothing would happen to their job most likely.</p>
<p>A gift seems like a bribe after summer program recommendations to encourage good college recommendations, but a thank you note would be appreciated. After your college recommendations are done you can give them a gift (something edible is always nice.)</p>
<p>It is pretty common to give teachers presents for writing college recs. They put a great deal of time and effort into them, and no, its not in their job description to write them.</p>
<p>I would suggest you just give them a thank you note for summer program recommendations and then something larger for college recommendations later on. I personally got my teachers small boxes of chocolates.</p>
<p>a gift card is always appropriate. Believe me, giving a gift is perfectly moral as a token of gratitude. But of course, there is a hidden message behind the generous act of sincerity. :p. Encouragement, "Write me a good recommendation that is insightful and thoughtful":)</p>
<p>We gave orchids from Costco (about 15$) and a thank you note, right after they were written. Most people give something...baked muffins, cookies, chocolate, coffee basket. It is a thoughtful gesture to show gratitude...I don't think it looks like a bribe when it's appropriate in scale.
I think most teachers like to hear an update when you get in...a quick e-mail would work then.</p>
<p>I gave my teachers personalized stuff + cards. But it's hardly like I'm bribing them - first of all, I don't have any of them as teachers anymore, and second, it's well after they've sent their letters in.</p>
<p>Yeah, so:
- Principal (wrote my counselor rec): two of my favourite books (Blink and the Tipping Point!)
- Teacher 1 (loves pizza) - Pizza My Heart giftcard + box of chocolates
- Teacher 2 (journo advisor) - inside joke stuff
- Teacher 3 (having a baby soon :P) - lots of baby stuff! She also wrote me a letter of rec last year for summer stuff, so I got her cookie cutters since she enjoys making cookies</p>
<h2>Yeah, just thoughtful stuff I think they'd like.</h2>
<p>a gift card is always appropriate. Believe me, giving a gift is perfectly moral as a token of gratitude. But of course, there is a hidden message behind the generous act of sincerity. :p. Encouragement, "Write me a good recommendation that is insightful and thoughtful":)</p>