The Russian State Duma is considering a proposal to significantly increase the maximum value of gifts that can be given to school teachers. The current limit, set at 3,000 rubles (approximately $30-35 USD), has been in place since the early 2000s under Article 575 of the Civil Code concerning the prohibition of gifts. Parliamentarians argue that this limit is severely outdated and no longer reflects modern realities, suggesting it should be raised to 10,000 rubles (approximately $100-115 USD).
Rationale for Change
Tatiana Butskaya, First Deputy Chair of the Duma Committee on Family Protection, highlighted the urgency of this review. She stated:
“We started thinking about this before September 1st. We reread the amount — 3,000 rubles — and, of course, it raises many questions and misunderstandings. This amount was written into a serious law decades ago, and it`s now far from relevant. It`s difficult to buy a meaningful thank-you gift for a teacher with that money, especially if parents have the means and desire to do so; we shouldn`t hinder them. The 3,000-ruble figure clearly needs reconsideration for 2026. The exact new amount is currently under discussion, with proposals to raise it to 5,000-10,000 rubles. Some regions have suggested creating a `standardized menu` of gifts to avoid constant adjustments.”
Parents` Perspectives on Gift-Giving
A Moscow resident named Galina shared her experience, confirming that parents typically adhere to the 3,000-ruble limit:
“There`s a rule that a gift should not exceed 3,000 rubles. We usually pool around 500 rubles per person for each holiday: Teacher`s Day, New Year, March 8th, February 23rd. For older students, it`s often symbolic gifts like sweets, tea, or coffee. The class teacher usually receives something more substantial, like a gift card. Regarding the idea of increasing the limit, I think it`s very individual. It depends on the school and the district. In a private school, parents might contribute larger sums, but in a regular school, one must consider everyone`s financial capabilities and aim for an average amount.”
Valentina, a mother of a schoolchild, echoed similar sentiments and supports the proposed increase:
“This year, the parent committee decided to give flowers, an Ozon gift certificate for 2,000 rubles, and a tea and candy set – totaling about 2,500 rubles – to the class teacher. Additional gifts were collected for the physical education and music teachers. On average, the total for each teacher was between 3,000 and 4,000 rubles. I agree to increase the limit because it`s impossible to fit both flowers and a substantial gift into 3,000 rubles. Therefore, the amount definitely needs to be raised.”
Public Sentiment on Teacher`s Day
Teacher`s Day in Russia is recognized as a professional holiday but not a non-working day. According to a 2021 VCIOM survey, 85% of Russians believed that teachers should receive flowers. Respondents also considered candies, sweets, or pooled money from the class as acceptable gifts. Interestingly, 47% of Russians surveyed at the time reported not giving any gifts to teachers.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth