Is This a Good Idea? Classroom Birthday Question

Why are you making her do the work? She's got enough to do. I would go to the dollar store and buy each child a book of his or her own. Or I would come to the class and ask the teacher to help the kids brain storm what they would like to have in the way of supplies and then actually go get it. But don't make her do the work.

I think that's a great idea... my kids' school actually asks parents to pick out a book for the child's birthday. We wrap it, and send it in with the birthday kid. They get to unwrap the "present" in front of the class, and put the book on the "birthday book shelf". It's a cute way of celebrating without the candy and treats.

Great idea. The only thing I would do differently is ask what she would like for the class. Then your son can bring in that item(s) and have a bit more ownership of the project. He will feel more like he gave something to the class, not just an envelope to the teacher.

Our school banned treats too and suggests trinkets or a book, board game for the class or some sporting item for recess. ie: we gave several hoola hoops this year and my daughter said it's great to have more to play with now at recess. So aside from a book or game which are great, you could see if they need more playground balls etc.

Not good; not bad. Just unnecessary. If you want to donate to the class, that's great but you really don't have to do something for the class just because it's your son's birthday. The reason kids bring in treats is to quasi-celebrate their b-day with their classmates. I don't see a monetary donation as a class celebration of your son's birthday.

I think it's great! I agree with the "no junk" idea anyway, and I think gifts for every child puts a HUGE burden on all the other kids and their families. It's just not right!

If you have time before his birthday, I'd tell the teacher what you would like to do, and see if she can give you a wish list. Be upfront and tell her what you want to spend. It's more meaningful for the children if the actual books or some special supplies make their appearance on his birthday, rather than a gift card. However, teachers can often buy things at a better price than you can, so if there's time, you can ask the teacher if she'd like to make the purchase herself. Then you can wrap (or provide her with a gift bag) and let her (or your child) open and "unveil" the gift in front of the kids.

But even so, I'd verify with her that it's okay and that it won't put pressure on kids of lower economic groups to keep up with this. Families with a number of kids or where there's been a job loss are facing extra pressures, and we really don't want the classroom birthday thing to be as competitive as the lavish birthday parties have become.

I would take your son to the bookstore and let him pick out some books to buy and donate to the classroom. You could also put an inscription in each of the books saying that they were donated by him for his birthday.

bad idea. It makes her do the work, plus does not give any significance to your son's special day. You can get nice things at the dollar store, or even on sale at toys r us they are not all junk. Depending on his age, you can buy each kid a small box of crayons or markers, or punching balloons or a coloring book or an age appropriate little joke book or mad libs etc etc. I don't know how old your kid is but you can put together something cute that your son can hand out to everyone for his birthday celebration.

GREAT idea! I think that I would send in the books or classroom game(s) (HUGE blessing for indoor recess, which we have had a TON of lately!) so the kids see what they are getting and the teacher doesn't also have the job of going to buy it.

Either give nothing, or give a book or two to donate to the classroom. In my son's kindergarten class, birthday kids could bring in a book and sign the inside cover so future classes could see the names of older students. Definitely do not give the teacher cash on your son's birthday. Either donate books or supplies in his honor, or do nothing at all.

Personally, I think giving trinkets to the class is totally not necessary. It's a waste of time and money.

Our kids were encouraged to buy a new book for the class library.
Spend the money letting your son pick out a nice book or two and he can present it/them to the class. Our teachers included a label on the inside : this book was donated by so and so in celebration of his x birthday on (date.)
Or you could pick out fun pencils or mini highlighters, kids love those, and they are useful, not junk.

I think a lot of schools are steering away from food because of allergies, sugar, etc. I don't really like the 'junk' idea either. I love your idea about donating a few books. I would go ahead and buy them yourself, wrap them up, and let your son 'gift' them to the class. I'm not sure how much time you have, but you could also get a craft from Oriental Trading and donate that and the kids can make it at school.

I think that is a wonderful idea!!! I might use it!

I have 4 kids in a school system that doesnt want junk food treats.
Three have bDays in January. Two took cut up fruit and home made fruit dip (huge hit). One's teacher celebrates ALL bDays at the end of the year with a class party-which I say is genius! I have a July bday-and so does my youngest. I never got to bring cupcakes to school!
I say talk to the teacher. Maybe she has some needs right now, maybe she prefers another idea-they're all different. Shoot her a quick email if you're busy.

With those restrictions I suppose it is all you have left. Still the fun for your son is giving and handing the teacher some money doesn't sound like fun. What about contacting the teacher asking for a list of books the class might want, let your son pick one, a couple, whatever is in the budget. That way he could present the books, maybe even say why he picked those books.

Sounds like a great idea!

What happened to the good old days when kids had cupcakes and punch

How old is your son. If older than first grade, I wouldn't do anything. It really is unnecessary. Giving teacher money does not really celebrate your sons birthday. If you have several children it can get expensive. Celebrate at home. It is sad, that schools do not allow treats anymore. Seems like the fun of being a kid, is being done away with.

I really like this idea. You might ask your son's teacher for a short list of books she might like for the classroom and go from there. The kids love new materials!

Yea for you!! No more junk! And no more pressure to GIVE gifts to other children on your child's birthday. It's weird!

My advice if you really feel the need/desire to donate something -- as someone else suggested, ask the teacher what she wants. My daughter's 1st grade teacher was dying for Legos for indoor recesses but couldn't afford to buy them herself.

Now for my 2 cents which you did NOT ask for and should probably ignore unless you're bored or just too curious...

We have birthday parties at home to which we (discreetly) invite our children's close friends and we do send them home with something they made at the party or something from the party (but even then I avoid the party favor junk), but I don't send 26 gifts to my kids' classmates at school. Last year several children in my daughter's class told her she was selfish for not bringing them gifts on her birthday! Arrrgh! But I refuse to cave to the pressure. My kids get the junk from the other kids at school, show it to me in the car like it's a great, valuable, awesome treasure, and then throw it in a drawer with all the others, never to be seen again until the great spring cleaning when they throw it away.

And to the other responder about the food, yes, it's all about allergies. Numerous kids couldn't eat the fruit dip someone mentioned. There are so many foods kids are allergic to and so many birthdays. Imagine being the kid who doesn't get to eat the cupcake or the "whatever" birthday treat 26 times every year! There are two children in my son's class (including my son) who would not be able to eat the treat no matter WHAT it is. (Only MY son could eat some things with prior checking from me, but how could I possibly know in advance a parent was going to send in a treat? And odds are it won't be one he could eat anyway.)

And in the words of Forrest Gump, "That's all I got to say 'bout that."

I would ask the teacher for a list of books she would like for the classroom, and you guys go pick some out then wrap them up and have the teacher let the class open them in honor of your son's birthday.

I agree don't give the teacher cash and tell her to buy stuff.

You can buy big books of children's crossword puzzles at the dollar store. If you bought one for each child, it would give them something to do if they finish independent work early, but needed to keep quiet.

This is fantastic! My kindergatner's birthday is later this month and we won't have a party. I can bring in cupcakes and books for the class to celebrate. Simple and relatively inexpensive. Thanks for the great idea.