What do you give to your DC teachers at Christmas?

[LadyInPink]

There has been a big debate in the playground today about what will be given to the teacher for a Xmas present!

I was going to make some gingerbread with my DD and get her to decorate it and put it in a nice celophane bag as think that is quite a personal thoughtful present but some mums are saying they are going to buy Molten Brown stuff etc and i can't compete with that!

I do think it's lovely for the children to give their teacher something at xmas so definitely want to.

What do you give if anything?

[TheJollyPirate]

Tbh I am broke so will just give a home-made card. I do buy a small pressie and card at the end of the year though.

[Desiderata]

We just have a whip round and buy them High Street vouchers.

I think the gingerbread is a sweet idea, though, and I'd go with that. Sod what everyone else does!

[TheJollyPirate]

I think your thought is lovely btw LadyInPink

[jobhuntersrus]

Money is a bit tight this year so not sure if we will give teachers anything or not yet. In previous years it has normally been a box of biscuits, box of chocs type thing. I have no interest in competeing with other parents. If they want to waste lots of money buying expensive show off gifts they can if they want. I'll go with it's the thought that counts!

[twirlymum]

I think they would really appreciate home-made gifts, I know I would.
We have a collection (£5 each) and get vouchers, usually Bluewater ones. That way, the teacher can get something she wants.

[gillybean2]

Go with the gingerbread. We've always got more appreciation and thanks for items ds has had a hand in making, and even got requests for chocolate cake recipe when we he made cakes for his teachers.

IMO It shows more thought and time/effort to make something. Not saying toiletries etc aren't welcome, but what say did the child have in choosing that? Also when I worked at playschool I donated most of these type of presents to raffles as I can only use certain products without getting a rash (also don't drink so bottles of wine went to friend - saved me buying her a gift I supose).

[sowhatis]

the teachers are getting a mug that says 'over worked' on it! along with a homemade christmas cake and the TA's are getting a vase along with cake.

[onepieceoflollipop]

dd (age 6) has for the past 2 years made "home made" crackers for teachers etc. we use the inside of old wrapping paper tubes (not toilet rolls, that's a whole other thread!)

I buy little treats (not Molten Brown!). Things like little chocolate bars from Thorntons, tiny shower gels and handcreams such as original source lemon shower gel (get them from Asda but they are not Asda own brand). Also in boots the miniatures (Sanctuary, Ted Baker etc are often on 3for2 offer)

We put 2-3 things in each "cracker" and wrap in Christmas paper, twist at each end. costs about £2 per cracker.

[mememe30]

I give a Christmas tree decoration each. So spend about £3 each. I was going to make something yummy for them this year but sons teacher has a nut allergy so decided to steer clear of all food related things!!!

[Ragwort]

Nothing - I say this every Christmas on Mumsnet - perhaps its my age (50+) but I am really not into buying Christmas presents for teachers - I do take the time to write a personalised card with a note expressing my appreciation.

I would love to hear what teachers really think about the presents they receive? (And do they expect them??).

[overmydeadbody]

Nothing.


Food is always appreciated though and shared around the staffroom!

[stealthsquiggle]

Go for homemade, definitely. At DC's school, there seem to be some classes with underemployed uber-organised mums who do a collection and get the teacher something (usually vouchers) from the whole class - I feel I did my bit for the (young, single) TAs when I suggested that they might prefer Amazon vouchers to M&S!

I We have always made cakes and they have always been appreciated.

[Dolittlest]

We're a bit skint and there are so many staff to consider, so it won't be anything fancy.

DS has two teachers and three TAs (he has SEN, so high staff-child ratio!) + an escort and driver on his school bus.

DD is at nursery and has her keyworker, plus three other workers in her room, plus the Head of the nursery, who is lovely.

I was thinking of the lazy option - maybe a BOGOF deal on some tins of biscuits and bottles of wine. I'm not crafty / a baker, and can't think of much else.

Will get DS to make homemade cards for them, though

[asdx2]

Dd is making these and will put some bath pearls inside.
Last year she made these with a nice soap inside.

[overmydeadbody]

Ragwort I don't expect presents, and none of the other teachers I work with expect them. It is assumed that we will get some, usually from the same parents each year. I don;t think any teachers care of judge if they don't get them.


It is sweet. Cards are nice, with personal messages of thanks in them.

[CathyTheMonkey]

Just a warning, I know at least one teacher who won't eat anything the children have had a hand in because they don't know how hygienic the children have been (think end of term colds)!

[pointydog]

Just a card. Just a card with a little hand-written message. A short sentence. That is the best thing to give by far.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

Molton Brown, are they mad?.

Nothing - just a handmade card when dd was in junior school. I used to work in a school and saw how disregarded presents were in the main (not from ingratitude, but from just a glut of crappy bubble bath)

[DandyDan]

Just a card, homemade if possible, but not necessarily.

I restrict gifts for teachers to the end of summer term (and even then usually just the end of Year 6).

[TeaOneSugar]

Handmade card here too.

[IHeartKingThistle]

I need to switch to primary...

[Hulababy]

We have a class collection. It is entirely voluntary and the amount given is up to you and not disclosed anywhere or to anyone (only person collecting, the class rep, knows.) The class rep then buys a gift or gets John Lewis vouchers for the teacher.

We then take in a card from DD, and she sometimes takes in a homemade cookie or somethign she has made too.

I have recieved a vast range of gifts over the years from hoimemade to toieltries and wine. I would say that the average bought gift seems to be between £5-10 if bought seperately - if anything like me lots will use 3 for 2 deals, etc so actually works out cheaper. And not every child buys by any means - I don't keep tabs beyind writing my thank you notes.

[domesticsluttery]

My DC's teachers are getting wine, the TAs are getting chocolate.

I would faint if any of the kids in my class gave me Molton Brown!

I think the gingerbread sounds like a lovely idea, one of my favourite presents last year was homemade biscuits.

[Hulababy]

The homemade gingerbread is a lovely idea BTW.

[AitchTwoOh]

liking this thread, i had been thinking the same thing. i was going to get some fizzy wine, though...