<p>After they sent my recs. Is this appropriate?</p>
<p>I don’t think so. You could buy them ten dollar books, bake them two dollar cookies, and should write thank-you notes, but you shouldn’t have a direct monetary value attached to them.</p>
<p>When we attended senior college application information night at my daughter’s high school, they suggested a little thank you such as a coffee card etc. is appreciated by the teachers and counselors writing recs.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t give anybody such a small amount of money, it might get lost. I would use the money to buy something and make it. For example, my daughter bought chocolate chip cookie dough ready made for less than $3. All she did was cut them and put in the oven and bake them. She gave them with a thank you card. I think the total cost is less than $10.</p>
<p>I don’t think a gift card is the best choice, but you should absolutely give them a small gift.</p>
<p>You should give them a handwritten thank-you note ASAP. If you decide to give a gift – which isn’t necesary-- something like a plate of homemade cookies would be fine or you could wait to give the gift until after you’ve decided what college to go to, and then give them a mug or pennant from your college. Whatever you decide, the thank-you note needs to be done quickly.</p>
<p>wouldn’t it be a good idea to wait closer to the holiday breaks and give them some Christmas themed?</p>
<p>No money, they are already getting paid, it is their job. Just bake them something or buy them a book.</p>
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<p>Nope, it’s not their job, it’s a favor that they can refuse to grant. </p>
<p>A gift card is not the same thing as money. A gift card for a book merchant (for example) just gives the teacher the ability to pick a book they want to read versus the book you want to give them. </p>
<p>As for the baking cookies thingy, teachers get that all the time, it gets old. If you’re going down the handmade route (and nothing wrong with that) - do something that sets you apart from the herd. Goodness knows, that’s probably what they wrote on your recommendation.</p>
<p>I do not expect anything from students for whom I write recs, but am pleasantly suprised and happy when I do receive something like a Dunkin Donuts gift card and thank you note, or some baked goods.</p>
<p>Had to coerce my own children to write thank you notes and give a small token of their appreciation. Convinced them that you are at the brink of entering the adult world, and common courtesy is something adults should show.</p>