As the Room Parent, you will need to decide whether you want to coordinate Teacher, Assistant (if applicable) & Staff gifts for Christmas, birthdays, and/or End of Year.

It's entirely possible that you coordinate group gifts for Christmas but not the other milestones, all three, or none.  It's entirely up to you.

However, you should be aware that there is always a group of parents in each class who prefer to contribute to group gifts for their teacher, assistant and supporting staff (if applicable).  On the flip side, there are always parents who prefer to gift individually.

 Room Parents may or may not want to organize group gifts themselves for Christmas, birthdays, and End of Year.  The decision as to whether the Room Parent wants to organize group gifts is solely that of the Room Parent. 

If group gifts are offered by the Room Parent, communication about such plans and the collection of funds should be clear and timely.  Depending on what is planned for purchase--specific items or gift cards--classroom parents need to have enough time to respond whether they are participating and be able to turn in their funds and/or items should there be a collective compilation of items from student families.

If a group gift is greatly desired to be organized for a class but the Room Parent does not want to be the organizer, another parent besides the Room Parent is welcome to organize the group gift, albeit with the Room Parent's knowledge.

Either way, the Room Parent should set forth group gift plans at the beginning of the school year, so that everyone has a clear understanding.

It should also be made clear whether there will be group gifts for all events (Christmas, birthdays, and End of Year) or just specific events like Christmas and End of Year.

Note: Room Parents should expect that not everyone will participate.  Many people prefer to gift individually.  As such, if group gifts are opted to be organized, any communication regarding such gifts must clearly state that participating is voluntary with no pressure upon persons to participate.  Also, given that not everyone in the class will participate, the Room Parent should budget accordingly. 
In order to facilitate gifting, it's always nice to have a source to reference.  The majority of Bethel's staff has completed a questionairre that asks about his or her favorite things, which are located here. If one isn't completed for a particular staff member, please find attached the questionnaire that you can request to be filled out: Teacher & Staff Questionnaire

Budgeting for Group Gifts
Budgeting for Group Gifts depends on a few factors: what you're giving the teacher & assistant, if applicable; the total cost of the gift(s); and how many families are participating in the group gift. 

Note: Group Gifting of Assistants is most applicable for Pre-K & Kindergarten since their assistants are with the children full-time.  

Clearly, the more families you have participating in the group gift the less the amount that needs to be requested as there are more people to divide the cost amongst, and vice versa, when there are fewer participants, the request for funds is usually higher to ensure full coverage of the cost of the gift.

The best thing to do once you've decided to proceed with Group Gifting is to email your class and ask who will be participating.  Tell them there will be a group gift for either the teacher or assistant or both, the occasion, and provide a deadline for response.  

Then, based upon your positive replies, you can proceed with planning the purchase of the gift, etc.

Since Christmas & End of Year are typically larger celebrations, the collection for group gifts is usually larger (for example, $50 per teacher and assistant). 

For birthdays, a good gift/gift card amount is $20-$25 with a classroom parent sending in cupcakes, cookies or some other treat for the class to celebrate with their teacher & assistant, if applicable.
You can always go bigger, but that, obviously, depends on the generosity of classroom parents.   

Examples of Group Gifts:
Christmas: $50 restaurant gift card & box of premium chocolates for teacher; $50 store gift card & scented candle for assistant--both packaged nicely with cards from class families Birthday: $25 favorite store gift card, card from class families (or placed inside cute gift card holder made by a classroom parent), cookies or cupcakes for teacher & assistant to celebrate with entire class (sent in by a classroom parent)

End of Year:
(Total value $50+)
- Tote bag, which could be personalized, containing items for Summer fun--towel, sunscreen, gift card for bookstore/store, magazines, snacks, etc.
- Themed baskets
- A simple gift card for their favorite restaurant or store with a card from class families