My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Primary education

I know there are a few weeks until the end of term, but help me think about teacher presents

26 replies

JemimaMop · 20/05/2011 10:54

DS2 and DD both move up a class at their small village school this summer.

DS2 moves from a year 1/2 class to 3/4. He has had a bit of a wobbly ride over the last 2 years, but his teacher has been absoloutely amazing. DD moves up from Reception to yr 1/2, and is the 3rd (and last) of my DC to have been taught by the pretty fantastic Reception teacher.

I want to get them something to go with a homemade card, but don't want it to be naff eg a mug or an I love my teacher teddy. Last year when DS1 moved up a class he made presents, he cross stitched a bookmark for his teacher and keyrings for the classroom assistants. This was personal and relevant as that teacher had recently set up an arts and crafts club in school which DS1 attended and where he had made entries for local shows etc.

All of the teachers were given wine at Christmas.

DS2 is an avid reader, and is known as the child who always has a book in his hand. DD also loves books, but not quite to the obsessive extent that DS2 does. So I was thinking of giving both teachers a book token to buy a book for their classroom to remember them by. I know that the school's budgets have been cut and so there is not a lot of money around for buying new books etc. Do you think this is OK, or should I give a present for the teachers to use themselves at home rather than for their classrooms? As I say, they would have a homemade card each and I am going to get the DC to write "Thank you for...." with examples of specific things that they have enjoyed or been helped with by the teacher inside.

What do you think?

OP posts:
Report
Bloodybridget · 20/05/2011 11:47

if you gave book tokens I guess teachers could decide whether to buy something for themselves or for class? You could write something in the card along those lines? sounds like a great idea to me.

Report
letthembe · 20/05/2011 21:24

Wine, wine, wine!!! We like our wine!!! I also love my coffee, but classes tend to realise this - so I've often had fancy coffees and nice mugs. I have recently moved school, from an incredibly deprived area to a pretty affluent one and at Christmas I was surprised by the number of vouchers a got - though I did think it was a nice idea. I have to be honest I do like a Best Teacher mug or similar. But also I also like the idea of book tokens.

Report
JemimaMop · 21/05/2011 08:04

Thanks.

letthembe - when you say vouchers do you mean vouchers to spend on yourself? Would you think that a voucher to buy a book for the children to use in the classroom was a bit odd?

I know that both teachers like their wine Grin But I just thought that a token to buy a book for each classroom was a bit different, and relevant when both of the DC have enjoyed books so much in the class.

Am starting to doubt myself now, maybe it is actually a rubbish idea.

OP posts:
Report
MigratingCoconuts · 21/05/2011 08:29

Its not a rubbish idea...I like the thought you have put into it. I always value the presents I get by how personal they are rather than any cost. Could you buy a book for the classroom that means something to your DC's interests? Like a decent dinosaur book? A personal message inside would mean that the teacher would always remember your DC when reading it with another kid...

Report
JemimaMop · 21/05/2011 08:32

I did think about buying a book, but I'd be worried about buying one that they already had.

OP posts:
Report
MigratingCoconuts · 21/05/2011 08:38

That's a good point. Then i would write all that in the token, about how you want to get books, that DC have loved reading so much in her class and that you want them to be able to egt a book that would be useful and fun for future classes...as a thank you.

I think that is spot on, to be honest. Smile

Report
greenrock · 21/05/2011 08:47

I think a book voucher for the class is a lovely idea but I would prefer to be given a book that your DC love with something written by them on the inside cover. It wouldn't matter to me if it was a dupicate copy.

I'm terrible with vouchers and sometimes forget to use them!

Report
letthembe · 21/05/2011 09:43

I think book vouchers are a lovely idea, I buy a LOT of children's book and it would be nice to read a book that would remind me of a pupil.

Report
letthembe · 21/05/2011 09:44

I think book vouchers are a lovely idea, I buy a LOT of children's book and it would be nice to read a book that would remind me of a pupil.

Report
AbigailS · 21/05/2011 10:24

I LOVE book tokens. I've also had M&S, garden centre and Next tokens that have gone down well.
I've avoided wine for my DC's staff as I know two of the teachers don't drink Shock, smellies, as I have sensitive skin and I'm not sure about DCs teachers and candles as I seem to get lots and would like to be different.
If you feel the teacher has gone "above and beyond" a handwritten note expressing your thanks, mentioning that is, in my mind, really appreciated. I still have letters thanking me for making school fun, inspiring a love of learning, huge progress socially, maintaining a child's diginity despite them being really challenging (parent didn't use such polite words to describe her son's behaviour), etc.

Report
curtaincall · 21/05/2011 11:18

what about a collage or painting the three of you could do together. If you have photos from school trips / special days, you could make a design by cutting out pictures showing the best times your dcs have had with this teacher. You could then laminate it and cover a good quality notebook or picture dictionary. She'll always remember your dcs when she opens it!

Report
JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 21/05/2011 12:29

I'm getting a few books by ds's favourite author, as his (wonderful) teacher isn't familiar with them.

Report
magicmummy1 · 21/05/2011 12:52

I'm getting an "oxfam unwrapped: teach a teacher" gift for our teacher this year, and will send it in with a note of thanks to say how much I appreciate what she has done. I hope she doesn't mind not having something for herself, and that she will understand that it's because we value what she does that we want other children to enjoy the benefits of good teaching too.

DD will also make her own card.

Report
Runoutofideas · 21/05/2011 13:51

I bought books for dd1's reception class at the end of her first year. Like your child, my dd was known as being the class bookworm, so it seemed appropriate. The teacher seemed genuinely grateful and said it was a lovely idea. DD chose the books as she knew the book corner so well I was sure she wouldn't duplicate!

Report
JemimaMop · 21/05/2011 14:14

I don't have any photos of trips etc. And to be honest I don't think either teacher has an awful lot of space for bits and bobs like that, one is living in a static caravan while she does up an old farmhouse and the other lives in a smallish flat.

Maybe I will ask the DC to choose a book for each class, they should know what they have already. My other thought was that if I gave the teachers the vouchers they could choose something which would be relevant to next term's topics.

I did Oxfam unwrapped the other year, although that was the second choice of gift this year too. I looked at School Supplies for DS2's teacher and Playtime for DD's teacher.

I should probably mention the fact that I work in a nursery school myself and so get lots of end of term presents. A lot of the smellies etc end up being given away to charity shops. Wine is always drunk, unless it is rose in which case it is donated to the next school raffle. There are only so many mugs with Mrs Mop that one person can own! I know that I would be happy with books for the classroom or Oxfam unwrapped vouchers, but that doesn't mean that everyone would be.

OP posts:
Report
AdelaofBlois · 21/05/2011 15:14

Laminate pouches and a nice card.

Report
JemimaMop · 21/05/2011 15:38

Laminate pouches? As in a pack of them? Confused

OP posts:
Report
gordongrumblebum · 21/05/2011 15:51

I really like the book token for the class idea. That, and a little word of thanks from the parents would be much appreciated.

IMVHO mugs, candles, chocs, little cutesy bears, even homemade gifts are a waste of money and effort. And BULBS!! Just got my first set of bulbs and, with it, confirmation that everyone thinks I'm an old granny...... Shock

Report
AdelaofBlois · 21/05/2011 15:57

Romantically, I'd be most touched by something for the school and the class-and nice ideas here. A book token would be lovely, or ask me, buy a book and write in it. That would be fab, and make me feel I was appreciated as someone who cared for kids.

But, yeah, packs of laminate pouches, card, tissues, printer cartridges, pens, superglue: all the stuff I end up forking out for, and a nice card to keep, would be much better than a bloody mug.

Report
letthembe · 21/05/2011 20:18

Last year my DC made their teachers bracelets that said 'thank you'; we always make something and buy a little something - the children often choose. My DD seems to really get to know her teachers - she must ask lots of questions. [hmmm] Last year, DD's class grew a plant each, when DD brought it home we planted in the garden, it flowered. She picked and pressed them, finally turning them into a thank you card for her teacher - who was very touched!

Report
letthembe · 21/05/2011 20:19
Hmm
Report
HappyMummyOfOne · 21/05/2011 21:09

I always steer away from anything that says teacher on and avoid candles, mugs and general smellies. I also dont do charity gifts as I dont know if the person receiving actually supports that charity.

If you want to get something for the class you could get a nice mix of craft items, they get through mounds and teachers often end up buying it themselves. You can get a big giftbag full without it being expensive.

If you want to buy them something each you could get something personal - do they wear jewellery, nice scarves etc.

Report

Newsletters you might like

Discover Exclusive Savings!

Sign up to our Money Saver newsletter now and receive exclusive deals and hot tips on where to find the biggest online bargains, tailored just for Mumsnetters.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Parent-Approved Gems Await!

Subscribe to our weekly Swears By newsletter and receive handpicked recommendations for parents, by parents, every Sunday.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

cece · 21/05/2011 21:12

wine Wink

Report
letthembe · 21/05/2011 21:21

Can I also add, don't feel you have to buy anything - we don't take offence. I like a card from the children and parents. I still have cards from my class (early 90s). I won't be buying for one of DC's teachers this year!

Report
NoelEdmondshair · 21/05/2011 23:33

I don't buy a gift for the teacher/s. DD makes a homemade card and I will write a personal note of thanks.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.