I got such great feedback on my basketball shoe dilemma that I’m turning to my readers with another puzzle.
The Son takes weekly cello lessons. His teacher is a young man who recently completed his graduate degree in music performance. He’s terrific — not just in general as a music teacher but also in that he’s a perfect fit for my quirky-might-have-Asperger’s son. The teacher never takes offense at The Son’s lack of communication or eye-contact and doesn’t lose patience with him when it’s obvious that not much energy went into practicing that week. In addition, on the odd occasion when the next student is late or absent, the teacher has extended The Son’s 45-minute lesson to an hour without asking for additional pay.
Each 45-minute lesson costs $26.25 and we don’t pay for weeks during which The Son does not have a lesson. So, my question is this: how much and in what form should we give the teacher as a Christmas/appreciation gift/bonus?
– opinions of tutors or private-lesson teachers are particularly appreciated but all feedback and opinions are welcome –
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5 Comments
A wonderful gift would be something like homemade cookies, hot chocolate mix, and a mug, or something along those lines; things which are “homey” and personal are great for young private teachers. Those were the kind of things my parents and I did for my cello teacher growing up (yay! for cellists) and things I have thoroughly enjoyed receiving from my students that I tutor. Have fun!
http://www.vanessa.hoozh.net
I’m all for either consumables or cash/gift cards. It really depends on if there’s any relationship established. If you know he has some sort of food like or is a foodie, something yummy and gourmet-ish (chocolate dipped biscotti (can make at home), etc.) would be dandy.
If you know his interests outside of music, a gift card would be great.
And I’m one of those people who does think cash can be appropriate — often people who tutor/teach or provide a service really appreciate monetary acknowledgement. I debated on this one for this year — I have a massage therapist I’ve been going to once a month and I didn’t know what to do for Christmas. I agonized over it, really. I wanted to get her something other than cash, but I couldn’t think of what would be *really* appreciated that wouldn’t potentially be a waste and/or chucked in the yardsale pile. I also know she’s cut back on her hours, so I’m sure money could go to use. I’ll gift her what I usually pay for a massage plus tip.
@ Vanessa — Thanks for your input. [yay! cellists] I like your idea of something homey and personal and The Son is really into cooking and baking right now. We’ll brainstorm and come up with a treat he can make.
@ rachel — I, too, think that cash can be quite appropriate. My mom is a body worker (beyond massage, many modalities including cranio-sacral) and I know that cash is not only appreciated but sometimes very much needed
The teacher and his wife are young, both just out of college, most likely have student loan debt, and live in a small apartment. I don’t know what they eat or what they like. I had thought of a gift card but then decided that cash might be most appreciated — it gives him and his wife the most leeway in deciding for themselves how to spend it. But how much? One lesson seems a bit piddly, doesn’t it? Two lessons? $50 and a homemade treat?
I think $50 and a nice homemade yummy treat sounds fabulous, and will be well received!!
Thanks, Rachel! That’s such a load off my mind — I’ve been puzzling over this for a couple of weeks