<p>I got into my first choice school through early decision. What kind of gifts might one in my position buy for a) the guidance councilor b) the teachers who wrote recommendations. </p>
<p>Are there gender neutral gifts? If not, what would I buy for the men? What for the women? Are chocolates appropriate for either? What’s too expensive to be appropriate? Anything too cheap? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance</p>
<p>I’d just write notes or maybe just buy a small box of chocolates/bake something, nothing big or expensive. All of my teachers have told me that the best thing to them is a handwritten card and updates on where you are going.</p>
<p>Definitely write a note for each teacher and the counselor.</p>
<p>Also, maybe buy something small from the college you got in to ED- a mug or something.</p>
<p>If i get into Brown or JHU I’m bringing back one of my teachers a baseball cap because he collects them, and the other a sweater (or other shirt), both from the university. Not sure about my guidance counselor… but there are still lots of if’s haha</p>
<p>I am buying all my recommenders gift cards, probably Macy’s or Home Depot. $60 for counselor and His. teacher, $50 to Eng. teacher and $40 to Bio. (The amounts are different because a) I’m poor and b) my Bio teacher only sent recs to two schools, counselor and His. teacher, especially, have helped me a TON over the years, written letters for scholarships and everything). </p>
<p>My IB counselor gets 50 giftcards to Starbucks per year and said the best thing in the world is a well-written note. I will be sending those, also. Notify them of where you’re going.</p>
<p>My friend is just baking cookies, which are likely going to be appreciated just as much as my giftcards because both are from the heart. </p>
<p>Really, you know who has helped you the most. If you can think of something very special (like a particular souvenir, or concert tickets), go ahead, but I’m giving giftcards because I figure then they can go buy whatever they want, if they need a new pencil sharpener for the classrooms or whatever.</p>
<p>I already know that I’m going to make chocolate-covered pretzels for my teachers and counslers once I get into college. It’s really easy and only takes 15 minutes! I’ll post the recipie if you want</p>
<p>Buy like mugs with hot chocolate mix.</p>
<p>It’s seasonal and in my experience they love it.</p>
<p>^ Haha that’s what I got a lot of my teachers for Christmas presents.</p>
<p>Someone also mentioned giftcards to OfficeDepot or something because all teachers will need new office/school supplies eventually.</p>
<p>Starbucks is a good idea!! I’ll have to consider that next year…of course, then you’ll have to find out if your teacher likes coffee or not…</p>
<p>But teachers love homemade cookies,brownies, sweets. Put them in one of those small plastic holiday bags and tie it up with a ribbon or something.</p>
<p>As a high school counselor who gets thank you gifts from many students, the genuine notes are the most appreciated. We can tell if they are generic. </p>
<p>If you feel the need to buy something, gift cards are always nice and easy. I personally prefer Borders or Barnes & Noble b/c I don’t drink coffee, but Starbucks is generally good for most educators. </p>
<p>I would stay away from food gifts, especially chocolate. We get so much of it, we often don’t know what to do with it all, and many people are trying to watch what they eat this time of year anyway. </p>
<p>Just my two cents.</p>
<p>I’m giving short thank you notes when app season is over and then when I’m actually at college I’m going to write everyone postcards telling them everything I’m doing and how grateful I am.</p>
<p>My daughter wrote Thank You notes to all of her teachers who wrote letters of recommendations last year. </p>
<p>This year, now that she’s finished her first semester at her first choice school, she’s buying t-shirts, coffee cups or other small items from the bookstore with the school logo as Christmas presents.</p>