To ask what is the most extravagant "teacher present" you have given/received/heard of

[LadyMaryofDownton]

I was scrolling through my FB feed an a teacher friend of mine has received a Prada handbag with matching purse!

It got me wondering if the good old picture frame/personalised gift things aren't the done thing anymore?

I didn't/don't plan on spending more than I usually do but I am curious.

[L0gLady]

That is so inappropriate I don't even know where to begin.

[AsBrightAsAJewel]

A friend had a similar thing! But she was teaching at a private English International School in Milan. Apparently the staff received handbags, a pearl necklace, designer perfume, gold jewellery, smart luggage, spa vouchers and plane tickets to weekend breaks!
I'm in the wrong school!

[WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant]

We have given hand made cards and contributed a fiver most years.
Some other organised (show-offy....) parent usually has a collection tin and goes and buys one big gift.
Sorry. We are very boring.
Although the teachers generally do,appreciate the cards.

[littlejohnnydory]

A spa day! Received by a friend at posh private school!

PTA asked for £20 from each family at my children's last school and gave teachers vouchers. Only fifteen in a class but that's a heck of a lot of vouchers imo!

[littlejohnnydory]

We usually make a card and make a little present.

[321TeachUs]

As said on another thread, friend, UAE, Rolex!

[LadyMaryofDownton]

Oh I've never seen the collection tin before, that's new to me to! I really like getting the kids to do the handmade cards & they love it.

[teeththief]

I usually spend £10ish on teacher gifts (depending on how good the teacher has been!). The best teachers though get a personal letter (copied in to the head). I've only done that twice though and both times the teachers have cried when they thanked me!

[WhenMarnieWasThere]

Some schools/authorities may set their own guidelines for where the teacher should declare their gifts, to make things transparent and to prevent any link to gifts being viewed as bribes.

[manicinsomniac]

We have to declare any single gift over £50.

Most extravagant I've come across have been a decent cricket bat and a set of golf lessons.

[chocolateyay]

I've heard of a horse. But then maybe that was on mumsnet and not real like life.

[ArabellaRockerfella]

My teacher friend got a trip to Switzerland last year from a grateful family!

[smelliefant]

A "gold" locket on a chain which was a watch. From the Shopping Channel, having been watched for weeks by nan until it was discounted. Means the absolute world to me as it was a really heartfelt gift and extravagant as it was an 11yr olds plan and all his own savings. I never have a playground watch so it's used every day!

Is also the only bit of proper jewellery I own, so qualifies as extravagant to me!

[cariadlet]

I generally get flowers, chocs, wine, home made gifts, mugs. That sort of thing. Occasionally a class will club together and get a voucher instead.

When I was at school we never gave our teachers anything so I was a bit taken aback when I started teaching and found that so many parents now do this. I appreciate the thought whatever the pressie (even though, cos I'm vegan, some always end up being passed on).

I particularly like it if parents write a thoughtful message in the card. The cards stay up for weeks, and when it's time to recycle them I always keep a couple. They're the sort of thing that it's nice to get out if you've had a bad day.

[cariadlet]

One of my all time favourite presents was a personalised desk calendar. The parent who gave it to me knew that I love travelling so had chosen a theme where, for example, my name was spelled out in the Northern Lights or The Great Barrier Reef.

That was a perfect present because it was useful, looked great (I loved the photos) and was really thoughtful.

[Fatmomma99]

I work in schools, but not a teacher, so I don't attract presents (alas). I'm always dead jealous at the end of a big term when teachers have to wheel their crap- loot out to their cars in a suitcase.

In my experience, they do appreciate getting a gift, but appreciate words/something hand made much, much more. (and I'm on the edge, envying it all. I did get a pot plant once, which I appreciated massively, until I killed it!)

Our 'best ever' was when I went to a Christmas market and they had these beautiful hand-made tiles, and I brought several for family members and because there was a deal about how many you brought, chucked in a coaster which was x-mas gift for class teacher. She made a point of thanking me personally, so I guessed it was something out of the norm for her.

[DrJacoby]

My husband works at an international school. Teachers have received ipads, flights, expensive jewellery - you name it. It's another world, that's for sure.

[TigerFeat]

At the end of dd's Nursery year I gave the teachers 6 bottles of very naice wine . I was just so please that my pfb had settled into school so well and seemed so happy every day. I cringe when I think of it.

They're lucky if they get a card now

[mmgirish]

I have received hotel vouchers, spa vouchers, handbags and other designer things, very nice wine and lots of lovely things. As a parent I have given my son's teacher a nice bottle of whisky and chocolates for Christmas and the end of the year present as well as contribute to the class voucher present. I also give presents to all the other teachers and TAs in the year group (he is in Early Years).

[SenecaFalls]

www.cbsnews.com/news/new-hampshire-high-school-seniors-give-money-raised-for-class-trip-to-principal-fighting-cancer/

[SenecaFalls]

The above post would be in the "heard of" category.

[Canyouforgiveher]

Most private schools where I am (including the ones we attended) have a rule banning anything other than homemade gifts/cards for teachers. Parents are encouraged to contribute as a group to something for the classroom that the teacher specifies.

Teachers have received ipads, flights, expensive jewellery - you name it. It's another world, that's for sure. I think this is a recipe for disaster in a school tbh.

[Eebahgum]

In 15 years I think the most extravagant I've received is a £10 gift voucher. Most people give nothing, some give a small gift (under £5). A Prada handbag is extravagant, ridiculous and definitely not the norm. I'd be embarrassed if someone gave me an expensive gift.

[Squeegle]

When my kids were at nursery, at Christmas I bumped into another parent hauling in a crate of champagne for all the staff. Made me feel very understated with my tin of festive biscuits!