Mumsnet Talk

As the title . I was going to go with the mandatory tin of celebrations for DS's reception teacher and Nursery nurse (both are women), but wondered if you lot had better ideas, I imagine they will be swimming in chocolate really.

Hopefully just hand made cards as that is what my ds will do for teachers and the Tas.
I don't do presents.

Wine surely?

My best gift: waterstones voucher.

My not-so-best gift: cutlery

My [shocked] gift: lube (several sachets of)

From the threads I've seen on here before, NOT mugs.

Wine or vouchers, I would think.

I think dd's teacher would like us to move to another school
or
wine,a handmade gift from the child,vouchers.
last year we gave perfume gift sets.

Sharkie, that is <boak> and at the same time. Who would do that?

They had previous for this sort of thing. The teacher before me got underwear IIRC. The head had a word with them in the end I think. Mum had some learning difficulties I think(looking back, didn't realise it at the time).

Same response to the child as every other kid, big smile and tell them you love it! (wasn't wrapped so couldn't say I'll open it on Xms day)

I don't usually do it, but I will be this year as ds's teacher has really gone above and beyond dealing with something I had concerns about. I'd thought wine but the Waterstone's voucher sounds like it might be more "her" so thanks for that!

How much money do you put on the voucher, though?...

I'm glad you started this thread, youremindme as I have been wondering the same thing myself, now that DD has started in reception. It sounds like vouchers go down well, but how much to spend? DDs class has 1 teacher and 2 TAs, who have all been great so I would like to get them all something. Can anyone suggest what is an acceptable amount for voucher gifts? I don't want to go over the top (nor can I afford to!) but don't want to seem ungrateful for their help either.

i've had,

a personalised pen (engraved with a bit of an in joke between me and the student. 8 years later i still have it and it still makes me smile)

a stunning shawl (still have it and keep it for best and am never ashamed to admit it was gift from a student)

trinket boxes (still have them somewhere...........)

Two handcrafted cups that came with coffee , the coffee's gone, but those cups are mine and DP can keep his hands off.

chocoalates, ate them, got fatter, still have them too i suppose

But actually it doesn't matter, that was an international school with a lot of money and i was just as happy with a "thankyou" i got from one mum who'd had a rough year.

I always do wine for teachers, chocolates or tin of nice biscuits for TA. This year I have two children in school and each seems to have several TAs (at least three in each class) plus one has two job-sharing teachers. I think the money gets silly so will do wine for TA and one box of biscuits for the TAs to have at school/share out. Will get dds to do a card for each though.

Hand-cream, a girl can never have enough.

Not sure what DD's school has for a policy but last year at nursery her keyworker got a £20 waterstone voucher and a poinsettia. The other staff in her room (3 more) just got the flowers and a card. I know that they are showered in biscuits and chocolates so didn't want to add on.

We will do the poinsettias again, DD will decorate a flowerpot. Otherwise I am not sure.

As I am very peculiar when it comes to smelly stuff I never give it unless I know the person likes a particular set.

Besides not knowing how much doesn't look mean or extravagant if giving a gift voucher, what on earth are you supposed to do if your child is taught by one main teacher, but a couple of other teachers also get involved with their teaching and there are three or four teaching assistants covering their year group who at various points are involved with helping your child????? Doesn't it look rude to only give a present to the teacher, or alternatively won't it bankrupt you to get everyone anything other than a big box of biscuits to share??????? And do teachers really appreciate scores of little presents/bisuits??????? Or would most prefer just to get a hand-drawn card from the child with a personal message they've written inside thanking them and perhaps another message of thanks from the parent??? I'm afraid I can't get away from my own personality, which HATES being given presents I can't or won't use and that will clog up my house because I'd feel guilty throwing them away. I do like it when people take the time to thank me for something and make me feel appreciated, though, rather than showing their thanks with something I don't want. But then I'm not a teacher and probably a bit of a bah humbug sort of person about presents, so I don't know...

Also vouchers could be seen as form of 'bribe'?? [Best treat my child nicely].
Other jobs you have to be careful about accepting gifts.
I feel awkward about the whole thing so cards it is. As ds has loads of Tas in his class that will be a LOT of effort.
I will just say thank you and happy Christmas.

if there are a lot of different staff I would send in a tin of biscuits for the staffroom with a thank you card

None of the "thank you teacher" stuff that card shops bring out just for the occasion. Go for something with a point. Wine is always a good, easy gift.

Ask your child to think of something, as it will mean more that way. My favourite gift from a child was a rainbow gemstone in a pouch with a picture of me and the child under a rainbow and a written comment from the child. I still have it and keep it in my work bag.

I also once got a curly wurly from a child who said "I know it's not as big as things the others have got you Miss, but I bought it with my own pocket money" and that was lovely.

Vouchers are great.

Anything that shows that they've noticed something personal about me.

Small gifts appreciated just as much as big ones, or simply cards. It's just really nice to be remembered and be told that parents and children appreciate what I do.

We were thinking of clubbing together as a class and getting either a voucher for John Lewis or similar or possibly something useful for the classroom. Would any teachers here have liked something good for the classroom and if so, what?

nice biscuits for TAs x 2
bucks fizz/prosecco for teachers x 2

Homemade card. Homemade other stuff. Wine. Not mugs, candles, or decorative things, or Boots box sets.

A home made card with a nice message in is always appreciated. I always feel uncomfortable when people turn up with lots of presents, Id rather they spend their money on the children. The curly wurly story is lovely

Best gifts are generally teacher specific, ie scarves if she wears them a lot, same with jewellery ( I got a £10 accessorise. Voucher once and it was great!)

Or oxfam gifts are always thoughtful, particularly if you get books for schools or something education related.