I've read a lot of comments about this very subject just recently, ranging from those who share gift ideas with other parents, those who scour the comments to promote their very own *answer to your teacer-gifting needs*, to those downright incensed about feeling forced into buying something. Typically, the latter seem to be those whose every penny literally counts, which is fine, of course but it's almost painful to read them tearing into those who are genuinely excited about the gift-giving process. Some are probably just after the competitive crown for best present. Others are just following the herd so that their little people don't feel left out. Here's my thing - so long as I don't feel obligated to buy a teacher something, why not?. If that teacher has done a good job by my daughter, over and above the 'call of duty' - then yes I blimming well am going to buy them a gift of 'thanks'. My daughter comes home with little gifts from her teacher throughout the year - little chocolate eggs at Easter, a pencil set for her birthday etc. All these things come from the pocket of her teacher, to show my daughter she is appreciated. I feel it only proper to reciprocate at the end of school year. The motto of this story is - if you want to, do. If you don't want to - don't. Simple?