thank you presents for teacher

[shuz]

how much would you spend on a present for a teacher to say thank you, would you also buy something for the classroom assistant? any suggestions would be welcomed

[rara67]

Wine always seem to go down well!

[northender]

We took in cakes dd and ds made. They picked the ones they wanted to make and there was plenty for all staff to share. They went down a storm and the kids loved making them.

[daisy243]

In my dd's class there is her teacher and 2 TA's. I have got them all a mini bottle of wine and a mini box of chocs! Came to about £10 which is more than enough in my mind! Can't leave out the TA's as they are lovely and very good (in our case)
Bee

[slightlyharried]

I've heard direct from teachers that a hand made card is really what they would like ...
honestly - how much crap do they get given and wouldn't it just be nice for someone to get off the band wagon ??
having said that at christmas i contribute £15 to the staff christmas do .. at least it's shared and something they have to pay for..

[daisy243]

I would chose wine over a card any day
Bee

[GazzasDressingGown]

My dcs teachers/tas are getting thorntons chocs, and a mug praising teachers (evil cackle following on from this being a naff thing to get but i am figuring staffrooms always need extra mugs if no one has washed up) and some handwritten(or scribbled in dd sn case)cards.I just have to figure out what to get dd transport ladies.I think flowers or plants will figure.(very unoriginalemoticon)

[roadkillbunny]

I don't normally do teacher gifts unless dd is leaving the setting (I didn't do gifts the first summer holidays she was at preschool but I did when she left) but I will be getting her Y1 teacher something as dd has really bloomed in her class and had a fantastic year. I know what her teachers interests are so I am going to get something around the £10 mark to do with those. I will also get a little something for the two TA's along the line of wine of chocs (I don't know them as well to get them something more personal) as I won't buy for the teacher and not the TA's, they have played a huge part in dd's fantastic year.
I won't however be getting anything for ds's pre-school staff as he will be going back in September, not that they haven't done a wonderful job with him, they have but there are 6 members of staff that all work with him and I just couldn't aford to get them anything worthwhile and I like them too much to buy tat!

[MsInterpret]

I think you have to decide whether you think you should give the teacher/TA something. IMHO there's no point asking how much you should spend because we don't know whether you are happy with the teacher and your DC has enjoyed the year and benefited from being in their class or if you just want to get something for them because you feel you should.

I am teacher and it is very nice when parents/children get me presents, of course, but I would like to think it's because they appreciate my hard work over the year. I think the nicest present I ever got was a pair of earrings a girl had made herself along with a card from the parents that seemed really genuine in thanking me for supporting their daughter through the year. A card like that is always wonderful and something I keep to remind me of those children and how I made a difference to them. When it's a box of chocs from the supermarket, well, thanks very much for the thought but if you are giving out of obligation only...there's not that much point.

[MsInterpret]

Not to say that a box of chocs can't be a thoughtful present by the way - gazza and also I know mugs are always welcome for the reason you give!

[mrsravelstein]

i do wine and a card unless there is something specific i think they would like (ds1's reception teacher rang me nearly in tears to thank him for the gloves he'd chosen her at xmas having noticed that she always had cold hands when she was on playtime duty)

[flyingspaghettimonster]

I usually give my daughter's teacher a gift for her baby - the last one was for his 1st birthday I painted two bodysuits with his name in their team colours/style print - the teacher was thrilled and they only cost $2.50 each for the bodysuits, but about 6 hours time to make. We try to keep the items suited to the teacher - so for my son's teachers, who aren't that good and we don't talk to often, we just gave traditional English tea and marmalade in touristy tins (we are Brits in USA). We started giving our own gifts rather than paying the $20 requested fee per parent towards the class gift as it was getting too expensive and I didn't feel it was personal enough.

[TheFlyingOnion]

Wine and chocs are always appreciated.... (yr 2 teacher here). Last day of term, getting home early, wine opened and chocs attacked by 6pm. Rest of the evening relaxing on the sofa...... mmmmm

[Collision]

Last year I baked cakes for all the TA's and DH made a dark chocolate tart for the teachers.

Everyone loved them.

I think if you get to know the teacher you can see what they like or dislike.

The teacher I work with HATES jewellry with a passion - almost phobic about it but parents insist on giving it to her. Dont know if they think she cant afford it or not!!

TA's love presents too as they do lots of donkey work in the classroom.

[MmeBlueberry]

Wine is by far the most appreciated present.

If you want to send in home baking, I would suggest doing so a week or two before the end of term so that it can be enjoyed in the staffroom.

[TheFlyingOnion]

I can be a bit about homebaking - just the thought of sticky sweaty fingers all over it can be a bit offputting...

[TheFlyingOnion]

the kids', of course

[Collision]

I do agree Onion but then DH is an italian chef and the staff know that no sticky sweaty snotty fingers go near the baking!!

[TheFlyingOnion]

mmmmm then I'll be first in the queue!!

[mrz]

A card made by the child any day

[eggsit]

Hoping not to sound callous, but I would much prefer a bottle of wine to anything homemade, unless it's edible . Often the homemade cards or gifts don't hit the high standards I've expected from the children all year, and they're not something I would necessarily keep. That does sound horrible, but I'm not sentimental about the children I teach - I really enjoy their company and they're 'my job' - but once I finish one year, then I'm on to the next set of children IYSWIM.

Saying that, a letter of thanks from the parents would make the year worthwhile.

[diabolo]

I usually do a bottle of wine because I'm very lazy, but also, if anyone wanted to give me a gift, I know I would appreciate wine much more than some awful mug or a scented bloody candle.

[mrz]

I've got to be honest I have a cupboard full of mugs that my OH tries his best to break (under pain of death)

[TheFlyingOnion]

ooh a letter of thanks would be nice!

[whomovedmychocolate]

Am I missing something - this is a really old thread and is anyone leaving school at this point?