Gift exchange with students

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Home : 2002 : November : 28

Gift exchange with students
By JMC

I am replying first to the topic of gifts in general and then to Kathy's posting about gift exchange with the class. I guess I might be considered a party pooper but I have a huge family and personally I don't think it's
necessary to buy for others on staff; we have in the past all chipped in and bought for a family in need in our community. I have so many gifts to buy outside of school, I can't imagine trying to pick out something for a collegue. About the kids in my class; I don't buy anything either. I bring in treats throughout the year when they seem to be better received and appreciated.There is so

much stuff brought in and exchanged that day, it would only get lost in the shuffle. I do not agree with the students doing a gift exchange exactly for the reasons you explained. I know if it were my child, she would be the one stuck with no gift or a really crappy one and I think that's unfair. To solve the problem (because these children did a gift exchange in lower grades), I pick up on some holiday traditions instead. I send a class list home in late November and each child has to make, write a Christmas card for each child in the class. This way if you have a few who don't, it doesn't show as much and they don't get the fun of handing out cards into each child's mailbox (mailbox- Great centre activitiy week before). I have a hanger for each child and they each bring in a pack of garland. Twist the garland around the hanger and it looks gorgeous. Be prepared for a huge mess!!! Then I take paper clips (have to be smooth, the plastic colour coated ones work best), open up to S shape, poke a hole in cards and hang them on hanger. I think this is a nice way to introduce children to the tradition of sending cards. They are excited to have their own cards and holder just like their parents. You could also ask some parents to make and send some traditional treats to share with class and talk about different traditions. I also read a book to my students over this time about my own personal traditions. My cousin wrote a children's story about my heritage and I love sharing it with the students. Anyway I hope I don't sound too baa humbug because I really am not but I truly believe the "magic" of Christmas should come from home. I would hate to outdo a parent at Christmas time. Happy Holidays to all!