Teachers gift - Charity donation?

[Angie1978]

We've made some Christmas tree decorations out of pine cones for the teacher and TA

What do you think of charitable donations ie cafod teach a child to read type thing? As a gift for them to share

[Mushaboom]

I'm a teacher and a lovely family made an education related donation to oxfam on my behalf one year - it reduced me to tears! It was amazing to hear the little boy tell me how lucky we are to go to school and learn every day and how we had helped other children who were not as lucky do the same.

So in my opinion it's a fantastic idea!

[Mrsgrumble]

I would love that, really lovely gift.

[wigglesrock]

I do that sometimes, I get a gift of chicks or provide a child with a school lunch for a year. Usually whatever is around the 5-8 pounds mark in the charity's catalogue.

[wonderstuff]

I love that - that is what I'm going to do for my kids teachers - I'm a teacher (secondary so I don't get stuff) if I got that as a gift I'd be thrilled.

[Jinglebells99]

l don't see it as a gift though. A lovely thing for you to spend your charity money on but nothing to do with the teacher? ! I don't like charity gifts though as a gift to others.

[Floggingmolly]

I think charitable donations should be made in your own name; I'm afraid. Fantastic things to do, but it's not a "gift" for someone else.

[DaisyFlowerChain]

I don't like charity gifts either unless the person has actually asked me to donate.

They are not a gift for the actual person and everyone supports different charities and may not agree with certain ones.

Sorry but charity gifts just scream to me "look how virtuous I am" but appreciate its not everyone's view.

[Thurlow]

I get what people are saying about a gift should be made in your own name. But I think it is a sensible and generous thing to make charitable donations for a lot of presents. The pine cones sound sweet, but I would probably word the card something along the lines of "for most cards and presents this year we will be making charitable donations to X cause."

[wonderstuff]

I wouldn't do it for any other gift, but as a teacher gift it feels right. It will genuinely be money I would have spent on chocolate diverted to OXFAM. Thanks OP, great idea.

[Angie1978]

Not sure now, we have fund raising days through the year for cafod

It's hard and expensive when there are 5 teachers and assistants in the class

I was thinking a school starter pack and a little note from ds (in reception) to the teaching staff hoping the recipient children have as nice teachers as he does .

[wonderstuff]

Sounds lovely!

[IssyStark]

Great idea! We usually just do a handmade card for the teacher and TA, so this would be a good added extra to put in.

[BlueChampagne]

I have got these for the DSs teachers this year www.goodgifts.org/text-books.html, and have done the Oxfam one in the past too, which was well received.

[Leeds2]

I have given the Oxfam gifts relating to education to DD's teachers. I think it is a great gift, and one I would like to receive.

[dailygrowl]

I wouldn't give a charity donation for a teacher or TA unless they'd specifically asked us not to get them anything. It would seem like a "I got you something, but I'm not going to give it to you" sort of gesture, although it's a nice thing to do if you're doing it in your own name. I generally get them chocolate or nice biscuits at this time, as they tend to either like them a lot (you'd have to know your teachers fairly well I guess) or they will have visitors so the gift can be used for entertaining. Another nice gift might be a tea or coffee gift set - some tea, some coffee, some sugar and biscuits in a little basket with a ribbon. Even if they don't drink one or the other, they could use it for guests. I try not to get them something they will mind getting thirty of - eg novelty mugs or paperweights. If you get 30 boxes of biscuits, you'll still get through them eventually.